Clifton Cultural Arts Center
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
To strengthen the critical link between participation in cultural arts and successful, healthy children, adults and communities.
- Income
- $1.4 million
- Spending
- $1.1 million
- Spent on programs
- 62%
- Reserves
- 65.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 56%
- Employees
- 18
- Volunteers
- 110
- Highest pay
- $82,731, executive director (left 7/25)
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
Good: 89 out of 100. Higher than 76% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 65.7 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 17% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 22% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 44% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1562% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 12 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
Strong: 94 out of 100. Higher than 59% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2513 of 13 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
9 of 15Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.
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 (5)
- $284,503 spent. Classes: In 2025, CCAC provided more than 150 in-person and virtual arts and cultural educational opportunities, including free STEM programs at local schools, and free and reduced-cost classes in five disciplines : Performing Arts, Visual Arts, Creative Writing, Culture + Languages and Wellness. These opportunities served more than 10,700 people, including 4,300 children. CCAC also offers a wide variety of arts-related camps with scholarships available for those in need.
- $313,254 spent. Events: There are multiple events held at CCAC and the surrounding area designed to engage adults and children alike. Wednesdays in the Woods free concert series is our signature musical event, but we also hold free concerts on the CCAC rooftop and elsewhere in the Uptown area. In addition, CCAC hosts the neighborhood festival, CliftonFest, as well as Sunset Salons, Second Sunday Showtime and Madcap Puppets.
- $95,150 spent. Exhibits: CCAC exhibited works of art from both emerging and established artists, as well as amateur community artists across all fine arts disciplines. Our signature exhibit is the juried Golden Ticket Art Exhibit, which displayed over 85 pieces of fine art by artists within a 50 mile radius.
- Rental of the facility to the community for events and rehearsals.
- Rental of the facility to the community for events 0. 0. 77539.
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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since March 2006.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.