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Letterform Archive

Learn about this cause: What are the reviews? Is it Legit? Do I like the mission? What is the CEO's salary?

EIN: 465519311 ✦ San francisco, CA ✦ Designated as a 501(c)(3)

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Overview

What is Letterform Archive?

Letterform Archive is a nonprofit organization situated in San Francisco, California. Established by collector Rob Saunders, it serves as a hub for individuals interested in lettering, typography, calligraphy, and graphic design. The archive provides visitors with hands-on access to an extensive collection of over 75,000 items, dating back thousands of years. Since its opening in 2015, it has welcomed over 10,000 visitors from around the world. The archive's purpose is to inspire and educate designers, students, and enthusiasts in these fields, providing a unique and serendipitous experience through its diverse collection. This collection includes books, periodicals, posters, sketches, original artwork, and various ephemera, complemented by a comprehensive reference library.


Official website here: www.letterformarchive.org

What are the reviews and ratings of this charity?

Charity Navigator Rating: 84% (Three-Star out of Four Stars)

Letterform Archive has received an 84% score from Charity Navigator, which indicates a moderate level of financial health and organizational accountability. The rating is based solely on accountability and finance metrics, where the nonprofit excels in having a fully independent board and robust financial oversight practices, showcasing a commitment to transparency and governance.

The organization demonstrates strong financial practices, including no material diversion of assets and a solid liability-to-assets ratio. Furthermore, it has clear policies for conflict of interest, whistleblower protection, and document retention, all of which are positive indicators of its operational integrity. The high working capital ratio of 1.70 years also suggests good financial stability.

However, there are areas for improvement, particularly with the program expense and fundraising efficiency ratios, which scored lower. The program expense ratio indicates that a smaller portion of expenditures goes directly to programs, and the fundraising efficiency suggests that the cost to raise funds is relatively high. Addressing these issues could enhance the nonprofit's overall impact and effectiveness in its mission.


This AI summary has been generated from information found on Charity Navigator.

Is Letterform Archive legitimate?

Letterform Archive is a legitimate nonprofit organization registered as a 501(c)(3) entity. Letterform Archive submitted a form 990, which is a tax form used by tax-exempt organizations in the U.S., indicating its operational transparency and adherence to regulatory requirements. Donations to this organization are tax deductible.


Heare are some key statistics you may want to consider:

Executive Compensation: $180,657
Professional Fundraising Fees: $0
Other Salaries and Wages: $1,188,515

For more financial information, click here


Official website here: www.letterformarchive.org

What is the mission statement of Letterform Archive?

The Letterform Archive, an organization dedicated to graphic design, letters, typography, and calligraphy, aims to inspire and educate designers, students, and enthusiasts in this field. They achieve this by preserving a vast collection of physical and digital artifacts, such as books, periodicals, posters, sketches, and related ephemera, as well as a comprehensive reference library. The archive, founded by a long-time collector, offers visitors hands-on access to over 75,000 items, dating back thousands of years. The collection has attracted over 10,000 visitors from around the world, including students, professionals, and admirers, who often find unexpected inspiration during their visits.


Official website here: www.letterformarchive.org

Who is the CEO of Letterform Archive?

Rob Saunders is the Cfo of Letterform Archive.


Official website here: www.letterformarchive.org

What is the revenue of Letterform Archive?

Letterform Archive's revenue in 2022 was $3,772,905.


Official website here: www.letterformarchive.org

Who are the executives of Letterform Archive and what are their salaries?

The average compensation at Letterform Archive during 2022 was $37,005. There are 37 employees and 5 volunteers at Letterform Archive.


Here are 8 key members and their salaries:


Johnny Avots-Smith (Cfo)
  • Compensation: $158,283
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $7,104
Rob Saunders (President & Ed)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $15,270
Alejandro Chavetta (Secretary)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Karl Hellman (Chairman)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Jennifer Morla (Director)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Louise Sandhaus (Director)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Leila Weefur (Director)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Christopher Slye (Director)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0


Official website here: www.letterformarchive.org

Where can I find the form 990 for Letterform Archive?

Letterform Archive's most recent form 990 was submitted in 2022 and can be accessed here.


Official website here: www.letterformarchive.org

Learn more at the official website: www.letterformarchive.org

Mission Statement of Letterform Archive

Letterform Archive, a pioneering entity, is committed to enlightening and educating designers, students, and connoisseurs of graphic design, letters, typography, and calligraphy. The organization accomplishes this mission by preserving a vast array of physical and digital artifacts, encompassing a myriad of formats such as books, periodicals, posters, sketches, original art for reproduction, and related ephemera. Additionally, Letterform Archive boasts a comprehensive reference library, providing a wealth of knowledge and resources for its patrons.

Established by Rob Saunders, a passionate collector of letter arts with over 40 years of experience, Letterform Archive serves as a public platform for his private collection. Opened to visitors in February 2015, the Archive has since provided hands-on access to an extensive curated collection of over 75,000 items, dating back thousands of years in the history of lettering, typography, calligraphy, and graphic design. Over 10,000 visitors from 30 countries have visited the Archive, hailing from diverse creative backgrounds. Some visitors arrive with specific research intentions, while others seek inspiration, often discovering something unexpected within the collection. The serendipitous nature of the Archive experience encourages a sense of exploration and discovery, making it an invaluable resource for the graphic design community.

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Impact




July, 2024

Letterform Archive's impact lies in its ability to inspire and educate designers, students, and enthusiasts of graphic design, letters, typography, and calligraphy. Founded by Rob Saunders, a dedicated collector of the letter arts for over 40 years, the Archive provides hands-on access to a meticulously curated collection of over 75,000 items spanning thousands of years of history.

Since opening its doors in February 2015, Letterform Archive has welcomed over 10,000 visitors from 30 countries, encompassing students, practitioners, and enthusiasts from diverse creative backgrounds. The Archive serves as a rich resource for those seeking inspiration or conducting research, offering a platform where serendipity often leads individuals to unexpected discoveries. By providing accessibility to a wide array of physical and digital artifacts, including books, posters, sketches, and more, the Archive plays a crucial role in preserving and promoting the legacy of lettering and graphic design.

Overall, Letterform Archive's impact is profound in fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of the art of letters and design, influencing and enriching the creative community on a global scale.




This information is meant to be a general summary of Letterform Archive. Please take the time to review official sources before making any decisions based upon the content provided here.


Financials

This financial information is from Propublica.

Revenue
$3,772,905 (2022)
Expenses
$3,153,899 (2022)
Efficiency

Other financial information:

This information is from the most recently submitted tax form from this organization, which was in 2022.

  • Investment Income: $82
  • Program Service Revenue: $299,374
  • Gross Receipts: $3,782,904

Assets and Liabilities:

  • Total Assets: $6,771,906
  • Total Liabilities: $2,464,622
  • Net Assets: $4,307,284

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Programs

Programs are reported by nonprofits in their tax forms and are normally their tax-exempt activities.

Other Revenue

Revenue

$2,869

Program fees/admissions

Revenue

$296,505

Organization Details

Founding Year

2014

Principal Officer

Rob Saunders

Main Address

2339 Third St Floor 4R, San Francisco, CA, 94107

NTEE Category

Code: B70 - Education

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