School of Acrobatics & New Circus Arts
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
SANCAs mission is to improve the mental, physical, and emotional health of children of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities by engaging them in the joyous creativity of acrobatics and circus arts.
- Income
- $3.0 million
- Spending
- $2.9 million
- Spent on programs
- 79%
- Reserves
- 0.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 84%
- Employees
- 127
- Volunteers
- 50
- Highest pay
- $120,360, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 47 out of 100. Higher than 24% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
4 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 0.3 months of spending.
Debt
5 of 20It owes 53% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 3% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 0% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1579% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 41 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 47% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2511 of 12 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
0 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 (3)
- $2.1 million spent. Through CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS, SANCA serves nearly 800 students per week. We provide youth and adults aged 2-99 with a non-gendered, non-competitive, creative, social and fun environment for physical activity. Classes are offered from beginner to advanced levels in disciplines like unicycle, handstands, tumbling, trampoline, aerial arts (trapeze, fabric, lyra, rope), flying trapeze, partner acrobatics, and more. We are committed to making circus accessible by providing tuition scholarships based on self-reported need. In 2025, 261 individuals were awarded scholarships totalling $161,473.
- $102,498 spent. Sharing the joy of circus included a number of SHOWS in 2025. Our public performances included a series of cabarets highlighting staff and local artists; a Halloween show featuring professional artists from the region and beyond; and student shows like Protege, for dedicated advanced performers 16+, and SASS, the annual community showcase. In total, 134 students performed for nearly 3,800 audience members. 175 sliding scale or free tickets were provided to expand access to circus arts performance.
- $95,875 spent. SANCAs YOUTH PERFORMANCE PROGRAMS served 45 students from ages 5-18 across five troupes: Stratus Circus, Nimbus Circus, Cirrus Circus, Celestial Circus, and Synapse Circus. These programs give youth the opportunity to develop performance skills in a variety of circus disciplines as well as develop strong social bonds with their peers. Participants had myriad opportunities to perform throughout the year, including at an original show devised by students as well as regional events and festivals, including SANCAs annual gala.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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 September 7, 2026.
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 September 30, 2026.
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 September 10, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since September 2004.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
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 7, 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.