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Surprise Sundancers

EIN 16-1641502 · Surprise, AZ

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak40 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Raising each dollar of donations cost 124 cents.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

THE SUNDANCERS PROVIDE VOLUNTEER SERVICES AT THE SURPRISE RECREATION CAMPUS AND OTHER CITY SPECIAL EVENTS. AS A NON-PROFIT VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATION, THE SURPRISE SUNDANCERS RAISE CHARITABLE DONATIONS AND RECEIVE CONTRIBUTIONS TO SUPPORT GREATER (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O) (CONTINUED FROM 990 PAGE 2) SURPRISE/NORTHWEST VALLEY YOUTH-RELATED PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS, INCLUDING THE AWARD-WINNING DREAM CATCHER PARK.

Income
$199,489
Spending
$324,364
Spent on programs
97%
Reserves
13.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
other income, 56%
Employees
0
Volunteers
750

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 40 out of 100. Higher than 14% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 13.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 72% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 63% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 33% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    97% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 124 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 81% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 15 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (2)
  1. $46,691 spent. VOLUNTEER PROGRAM - PROVIDE VOLUNTEER SUPPORT TO THE CITY OF SURPRISE IN AREAS INCLUDING SPRING TRAINING OPERATIONS, NATIONAL TENNIS TOURNAMENTS, AND SPECIAL CITY EVENTS.
  2. $267,955 spent. SUNDANCER SCHOLARSHIP - THE SURPRISE SUNDANCERS AWARD SCHOLARSHIPS TO YOUTH WHO DEMONSTRATE HIGH ENGAGEMENT IN THE COMMUNITY, PARTICIPATE IN ATHLETIC PROGRAMS, AND MAINTAIN A MINIMUM CUMULATIVE GPA OF 3.0. THE PROGRAM IS FUNDED BY THE SURPRISE SUNDANCERS THROUGH A FUND HELD BY THE ARIZONA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION. DURING THE 2024-2025 FISCAL YEAR, $267,000 IN SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS WERE DISTRIBUTED TO ACF, INCLUDING $157,000 AWARDED IN THE PRIOR FISCAL YEAR.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since March 2005.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.