Archie Bray Foundation

What it reported doing in 2024

The primary mission of the archie bray foundation (the "foundation"} is to provide an environment that stimulates creative work in ceramics - for artists, community members, teachers, students, children, cultural institutions, collectors, and the general public. The bray was founded in 1951 as the first residency program in the united states devoted to ceramics. To create a sustainable future for the bray, the abf fund was founded as a supporting foundation in 2022. Working together, the missions of the organizations are to allow the bray to provide an environment that stimulates, promotes, and exhibits innovative, creative work in ceramics. This is accomplished primarily through a year-round residency program. The organizations provide studio space, funding, and facilities for ceramic artists with diverse backgrounds, cultures, and aesthetic approaches to advance their work.through the public work of the bray, the organizations serve both the field of ceramic arts as well as the regional and local community through a variety of educational programs, exhibitions, a ceramic supply, public events, lectures, school tours, and a permanent collection of ceramics available for scholars interested in researching contemporary ceramics from the 60's to present time. On an international level, the organizations have served the field of ceramics by bringing together artists from around the world with talent, curiosity and commitment and providing them with the facilities and freedom to explore their creative voices.the organizations work together to allow the bray to offer ten long-term residencies that last for up to two years, ten summer residencies, and 6-8 short-term residencies throughout the year. Residents are selected annually from a pool of applicants by a rotating panel of three reviewers including the executive director. All residents receive free studio space, exhibition opportunities, discounted materials, and access to one of the top kiln-firing facilities in the united states.dedicated to serving the Montana and helena communities, the organizations host annual programming at the bray and in other venues which is free and open to the public, classes for vocational artists, and a continuing education program for more accomplished ceramicists taught by artists from around the world. Site-specific sculptures made by resident artists are featured throughout the 26-acre campus which is open to the public for a self-guided tour during daylight hours. School groups make requests for guided tours.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 100%; rating input score 100
• Program expense ratio: 61.9%; rating input score 62
• Fundraising efficiency: $6.08 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 22; 22nd percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: Limited
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: 100%; rating input score 100; 72nd percentile among comparable filings
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 7 of 8 controls in place; rating input score 88
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Other executive compensation review process: Fail
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: -29.1%; rating input score 4; 4th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 3.31; rating input score 76; 76th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.06; rating input score 68; 68th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 5.3%; rating input score 51; 51st percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 7.6% per year; rating input score 100; 54th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 3.9% per year; rating input score 100; 33rd percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 7% per year; rating input score 100; 45th percentile among comparable filings