Chris Babcock Art Prep is a nonprofit organization under the Internal Revenue Code Section 501 (C) (3). All contributions are tax deductible. EIN: 92-4028204
What are you investing in at Chris Babcock Art Prep?
For each student passionate about developing their skills in our custom art lessons, we cultivate more than technique and attention to detail. We nurture a mindset of courageous curiosity and resilient imagination, both key skills needed to problem-solve and thrive in an ever-changing world. With our guidance, our art students have gone on to become successful surgeons, research scientists, archeologists, art therapists, business entrepreneurs, fashion designers and conservators of fine art paintings.
For those ready to turn their talent and passion into an outstanding portfolio, we offer our Portfolio Building Program which provides the intensive and specialized training needed to build art portfolios for admission into renowned San Francisco high schools and colleges all over the world.
100% of Chris Babcock Art Prep students in our Portfolio Building Program have been accepted at their dream high school or college:
The prestigious Ruth Asawa High School of the Arts (SOTA) with a 14% acceptance rate, Cate School, Urban, Lick Wilmerding, University High School, The Bay School, Sacred Heart-Convent High School, RISD (Rhode Island School of Design), Brown University, Parsons, Pratt Institute, The Art institute of Chicago University Arts London (Central St. Martins) to name a few.
Want to donate from your IRA?
If you are age 70½ or older, you may be eligible to make a Qualified Charitable Distribution directly from your IRA. In 2026, eligible donors may make QCDs totaling up to $111,000. If you are age 73 or older, the gift may count toward your Required Minimum Distribution.
To make a gift, contact your IRA custodian and ask them to make a Qualified Charitable Distribution payable to:
Chris Babcock Art Prep
EIN: 92-4028204
Mailing address: 5907 California St. San Francisco CA, 94121
Please ask your custodian to include your name and contact information with the gift so we can acknowledge your contribution.
Please consult your tax or financial advisor regarding your individual circumstances.
Chris Babcock Art Prep Sponsorship Options:
Zero Toxins Paint Thinner Sponsor: $20
What you are investing in: Eco-Solve is zero VOC and the most eco-friendly, plant-based professional paint thinner on the market. This is a safe and effective alternative to toxic conventional paint thinners. Thins paint, cleans brushes and restores old, dried brushes.
Sustainable Graphite Pencil Sponsor: $40
What you are investing in: Two Faber-Castell Pitt Graphite Matte Pencil Set, 8 Graphite Pencils and Sketching HB, 2B, 4B, 6B, 8B, 10B, 12B, 14B), Pencil Sharpener, Eraser and Blending Stump for two portfolio building students
Bamboo Sustainable Sketch Book Sponsor: $120
What you are investing in: 5 Bamboo Mixed Media Sketch Pad for 5 students in our after school classes and our Portfolio building classes.
One Month Scholarship Sponsor— $196
What you are investing in: funds 4 weeks of After School Art Lessons for 1 talented, under-resourced student.
Teacher Sponsor— $500
What you are investing in: funding for 1 week of a teacher’s pay to keep the student to teacher ratio low allowing our students the individualised attention they need to grow and thrive in their art practice.
Toxin-Free Paint Sponsor—$1000
What you are investing in: pays for 10 sets of Natural Earth Acrylic Paints (95.00 per set) so our students can paint without breathing in formaldehyde and lead fumes that can lead to Lung Cancer. Chris Babcock Art Prep offers their students the opportunity to work with the only brand of paints that have zero toxins. All other acrylic paints claiming to be toxic free still have 10% harmful formaldehyde and lead in each tube due to a loop-hole the law that allows for The "Trace Amount" Exception.
Under Federal Trade Commission (FTC) guidelines, companies can claim a product is "VOC-free" or "emission-free" even if it contains hazardous substances, provided they are at "trace levels".
Formaldehyde: It is often a byproduct of preservatives used to prevent spoilage in water-based paints. Because it isn't "intentionally added" as a primary ingredient, is not be listed.
Lead Thresholds: Federal law (16 CFR Part 1303) bans paint containing more than 0.009% (90 ppm) lead. Any amount below this 90 ppm limit is legally considered negligible, allowing products with "trace" lead to be sold.
After School Scholarship Sponsor — $2,500
What you are investing in: Funds 1 scholarship for a once a week after‑school art lesson for 10 months for 1 talented under resourced student with outstanding potential in the visual arts.
Portfolio Building Scholarship Sponsor — $4,000
What you are investing in: Funds 3 months (twice a week) of after school class scholarship for 1 talented under resourced student with outstanding potential in the visual arts.
How we measure impact
Attendance and retention rates
Progress in technical skills and portfolio development
Student self‑reports on confidence and emotional safety
Stories and artwork shared in annual reports and donor impact summaries
Interested in funding Chris Babcock Art Prep’s mission for more than 4000.00?
Give us a call at 415-745-5301 and make an appointment to visit our art school. Tell us your specific interest and we’ll build a custom package with recognition and reporting that fits your goals.
We’ll send sample student work from programs your gift will support.
LEAD SUPPORTERS OF OUR MISSION:
Kristen Kadner, Carrie and Brian Chee, Hansa Patel, Monica Chung, Lauren and Ken Morrison, Marilynne Morshead, and California State Treasurer Fiona Ma.
Photo above is CA State Treasurer Fiona Ma, founder Chris Babcock at Fiona’s second fundraiser; an Evening of Weaving and Collaging to support Chris Babcock Art Prep’s mission. To read all the details, click on mission statement.
Massive Kudos to Max C. (first row of drawings above) — her three strong drawings and great audition earned her a spot in SOTA’s Fall 2026 Visual Arts Program which has a 18 % acceptance rate. Max’s work is confident and curious: bold contours, thoughtful shading, and selective detail create clear focal points. She balances space and texture so each piece breathes. Together they reveal a playful, disciplined visual voice and the technical skill that will help her thrive at SOTA.