Nicaragua Initiative for Community Advancement Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
SEE SCHEDULE O.
- Income
- $293,756
- Spending
- $340,423
- Spent on programs
- 88%
- Reserves
- 1.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 27
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 60 out of 100. Higher than 22% of charities in its peer group (international, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 1.1 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 1% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 16% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 50% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1588% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Weak: 38 out of 100. Higher than 8% of charities in its peer group (international, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
5 of 251 of 3 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no 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.
Independent check of accounts
6 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, 2024, 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 (6)
- $77,572 spent. CREA IS OUR EDUCATION PROGRAM, WHICH OFFERS OPPORTUNITIES TO PRIMARY STUDENTS IN READING AND MATH USING IPADS, ANDROID TABLETS, AND CHROME COMPUTERS, AUDIOVISUAL EQUIPMENT AND EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS. WE ALSO TEACH HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AND TEACHERS COMPUTER SKILLS AND HOW TO USE GOOGLE PRODUCTS TO FACILITATE MORE WRITING AND CRITICAL THINKING OPPORTUNITIES. FOR THE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS, WE OFFER THEM OPPORTUNITIES TO APPLY FOR ECONOMIC OR ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIPS AFTER HIGH SCHOOL TO FURTHER THEIR EDUCATION. THIS PROGRAM DIRECTLY BENEFITS 450 STUDENTS EACH YEAR. WE PROVIDE MANY OTHER BENEFITS TO THE SCHOOL LIKE TRANSPORTATION FOR STUDENTS AND TEACHERS, TO AND FROM SCHOOL TO 16 STUDENTS AND (CONTINUED ON SCH. O) TEACHERS EACH DAY, INFRASTRUCTURE REPAIR, AND SPONSOR EVENTS LIKE GRADUATIONS. IN 2019 WE IMPLEMENTED THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROGRAM IN PARTNERSHIP WITH KEISER UNIVERSITY (AN AMERICAN UNIVERSITY BASE IN NICARAGUA), THE COURSES TAKE PLACE IN THE COMMUNITY CENTER "THE NET" INAUGURATED IN JULY 2019. THE BUILDING CONSTRUCTION AND EQUIPMENT WAS FUNDED BY NICA FUNDS AND ALL THE CREA PROGRAMS TAKE PLACE NOW IN NICA'S COMMUNITY CENTER. THE ENGLISH PROGRAM IS DIVIDED IN 2 GROUPS AND DIRECTLY BENEFITS 30 STUDENTS EVERY 15 MONTHS. IN 2021 THE FIRST CLASS FROM THE ENGLISH PROGRAM COMPLETED, AND 14 STUDENTS WENT ON TO PURSUE EMPLOYMENT OR OTHER EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES USING THEIR NEWLY FLUENT ENGLISH SKILLS. 12 STUDENTS NEED MORE INSTRUCTION TO COMPLETE THE PROGRAM TO FLUENCY. IN MAY 2022, A NEW CLASS OF 30 BEGAN, THE 12 FROM THE PRIOR COHORT OF STUDENTS WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO CONTINUE WITH KEISER TO SEE IF THEY CAN PASS THE FINAL EXAM. THE SECOND GRADUATING CLASS HAD 16 STUDENTS WHO ARE ALL COMMITTED TO IMPROVING THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE BY OBTAINING BETTER JOBS. IN 2023 THE ENGLISH PROGRAM WAS SUSPENDED DUE TO GOVERNMENT RESTRUCTURING IN NICARAGUA. WE WERE WAITING TO SEE IF OUR PARTNER WOULD REMAIN OPEN IN THE WAKE OF SEVERAL UNIVERSITIES BEING CLOSED DUE TO POLITICAL OPPOSITION. WE REMAIN NEUTRAL IN OPINION ABOUT POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS IN NICARAGUA AS OUR MAIN OBJECTIVE IS TO SERVE AND HELP NICARAGUANS IMPROVE THEIR OPPORTUNITIES AND GROW THEIR ECONOMY FROM WITHIN COMMUNITIES, ESPECIALLY THOSE IN RURAL AREAS. WE SHIFTED TO INCREASING THE NUMBER OF UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIPS. 13 WERE AWARDED IN 2023, AND 2 GRADUATED. WE HOSTED AN ANNUAL READING AND MATH FAIR WITH THE PURPOSE OF PROMOTING STUDENT INVOLVEMENT THROUGH ACTIVITIES THAT SPARK THEIR INTEREST IN READING AND MATH, CREATING A SPACE IN THE COMMUNITY CENTER TO DEMONSTRATE THAT LEARNING INDUCES IMAGINATION AND CREATIVITY, WITH THE GOAL OF REPLICATING IT IN THE COMING YEARS. IN 2024 THE ENGLISH PROGRAM WAS NOT REOPENED. WE SHIFTED TO INCREASING THE NUMBER OF UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIPS. 16 WERE AWARDED IN 2024, AND 1 GRADUATED WHILE ANOTHER STUDENT DECIDED TO FORGO THE SCHOLARSHIP DUE TO TIME AND DISTANCE CONSTRAINTS. WE CONTINUED THE SUCCESSFUL ANNUAL READING AND MATH FAIR THAT WE INTRODUCED LAST YEAR, WITH THE GOAL OF FOSTERING STUDENT ENGAGEMENT THROUGH ACTIVITIES DESIGNED TO SPARK THEIR INTEREST IN READING AND MATHEMATICS. SIX STUDENTS WERE AWARDED SECONDARY SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIPS AT A PRIVATE SCHOOL, WHICH COVER THEIR MONTHLY TUITION, ENROLLMENT FEES, SCHOOL SUPPLIES, TEXTBOOKS, AND UNIFORMS FOR THE START OF THE ACADEMIC YEAR, IN ADDITION TO TRANSPORTATION FOR BOTH THE COMMUTE TO AND FROM SCHOOL.
- $57,526 spent. SOMOS EL CAMBIO PROGRAM (SEC) IS A WORK PROGRAM THAT OFFERS COMMUNITY SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES TO TEENAGERS AND ADULTS. THIS IS THE FIRST PROGRAM WE ESTABLISHED TO ADDRESS THE OVERWHELMING NEED OF LOCALS TO MEET THEIR BASIC NEEDS LIKE FOOD, WATER AND SHELTER. THIS PROGRAM DIRECTLY BENEFITS 750 RESIDENTS EACH YEAR, AND INDIRECTLY BENEFITS 2,000 RESIDENTS AS WELL AS THE THOUSANDS OF TOURISTS WHO HAVE RETURNED TO VISIT THE AREA EACH YEAR SINCE THE PROGRAM RESUMED AFTER THE PANDEMIC. THERE WAS A HUGE LITTER PROBLEM, SO INSTEAD OF JUST GIVING OUT BASIC NEEDS, WE SET UP A PROGRAM WHERE LOCALS COULD CREATE CONSCIENCE AND CARE ABOUT THEIR OWN COMMUNITY FOR THEIR NEEDS BY CLEANING UP LITTER IN EXCHANGE FOR 78 HOURS OF PART TIME WORK CLEANING STREETS, BEACHES, WATERWAYS, AND THE HEALTH (CONTINUED ON SCH. O) CENTER OVER 13 WEEKS. ONCE THEY ACCOMPLISH THE COMMUNITY HOURS SERVICES, THEY RECEIVE A BENEFIT IN CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS, FOOD OR EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES. HUNDREDS OF HOMES HAVE BEEN REPAIRED AND MORE THAN A DOZEN HAVE BEEN CONSTRUCTED FROM THE GROUND UP OVER THE YEARS. IN 2023, THERE WAS AN INCREASE OF $10 IN THE IN-KIND BENEFIT, WHICH IS RAISED IT TO $85 PER PARTICIPANT PER 78 HOURS OF VOLUNTEER TIME, DUE TO THE INCREASE IN PRICES FOR CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AND FOOD. IN 2023, A CLEAN-UP DAY WAS HELD WITH A CONSTRUCTION COMPANY CALLED HOLCIM. 100S OF HOMES WERE IMPROVED AND 750 FAMILIES FELT DIRECT IMPACT FROM THIS PROGRAM. AN AVERAGE OF 37 PARTICIPANTS PER PERIOD, FOR A TOTAL OF 148 FAMILIES RECEIVED BENEFIT. IN 2024, THE PROGRAM CONTINUED TO OPERATE SMOOTHLY AND EFFECTIVELY. AS PART OF OUR ONGOING EFFORTS TO SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY, WE BEGAN ASSISTING THE LOCAL POLICE STATION BY PROVIDING A FULL TANK OF FUEL EACH MONTH. THIS INITIATIVE ENSURES THAT THE POLICE HAVE THE NECESSARY RESOURCES TO OPERATE THEIR PATROL VEHICLES AND RESPOND PROMPTLY TO ANY SECURITY EMERGENCIES IN THE TOWN. AT THE END OF EACH YEAR, EVERY PARTICIPANT RECEIVES A PLASTIC BASKET FILLED WITH BASIC NECESSITY ITEMS, WHICH THEY CAN SHARE WITH THEIR FAMILIES TO HELP ENSURE THEY HAVE ENOUGH FOOD FOR THEIR CHRISTMAS DINNER. AN AVERAGE OF 37 PARTICIPANTS PER PERIOD, FOR A TOTAL OF 150 FAMILIES RECEIVED BENEFIT.
- $4,762 spent. CARACOLA CAFE IS AN INTERNET CAFE THAT SELLS TACOS AND SMOOTHIES. WE PROVIDED THE START UP MONEY, AND THE CAFE HAS PAID IT ALL BACK. THE PROFITS WILL HELP PAY FOR THE APP SUBSCRIPTION COSTS FOR THE CREA PROGRAM AND FOOD COSTS FOR THE FOOD PROGRAM. THE CAFE HAS CREATED 6 JOBS IN TOWN. THE CAFE HAS BEEN TOTALLY SELF SUSTAINABLE AFTER INITIAL START UP INVESTMENT WAS MADE. IN 2019 THE CAFE MOVED TO THE COMMUNITY CENTER FACILITIES. THE NET INCLUDES A KITCHEN FACILITY AND RESTAURANT AREA FOR CARACOLE CAFE OPERATIONS. DUE TO IMPACTS FROM THE PANDEMIC, THE CAFE HAS NOT OPERATED NORMALLY. WE HAVE HOPES THAT IN 2024, OPERATIONS WILL BEGIN AGAIN AS TOURISM INCREASES AND DEMAND RISES. THERE WERE NO CHANGES FOR 2024; THE CAF REMAINED CLOSED. HOWEVER, WE REMAIN HOPEFUL THAT WITH THE EXPECTED INCREASE IN (CONTINUED ON SCH. O) TOURISM AND DEMAND, CARACOLA CAF WILL RESUME OPERATIONS IN 2025.
- $673 spent. THE FOOD PROGRAM IS A LUNCH PROGRAM THAT SUPPLEMENTS THE NICARAGUAN GOVERNMENT'S PINE PROGRAM. THE PINE PROGRAM PROVIDES BASIC FOODS TO PRIMARY AND KINDERGARTEN SCHOOL STUDENTS DAILY. OUR FOOD PROGRAM CONTRIBUTES FOODS LIKE FRUITS, VEGETABLES, PROTEIN SOURCES, AND DAIRY PRODUCTS TO THE MENU TO ENSURE BALANCED MEALS DAILY AS WELL AS PROVIDES COMPLETE MEALS TO HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS, PARENT VOLUNTEERS AND TEACHERS DAILY IN COLLABORATION WITH PINE. THIS PROGRAM BENEFITS 450 STUDENTS EVERY DAY. WE HAVE A GARDEN WHERE WE GROW FOOD FOR THE PROGRAM AND FOR SALE AT THE SCHOOL. WE USE IT TO TEACH KIDS ABOUT GROWING FOOD AND EXPOSING THEM TO NEW FOODS. WE HAVE SEEN HIGH SCHOOL ATTENDANCE RATES INCREASE SINCE THE PROGRAM WAS ESTABLISHED.
- $99,638 spent. TO BENEFIT THE THREE PROGRAMS LISTED IN PART III, LINE 4 AS WELL AS THE FOOD PROGRAM DESCRIBED IN SCH O, NICA INAUGURATED A COMMUNITY CENTER IN EL TRANSITO IN JULY 2019. THE CENTER HOUSES 3 CLASSROOMS, NICA'S OFFICES WITH A CONFERENCE ROOM, A RESTAURANT, A MULTIPURPOSE ROOM TO IMPART TRAINING OR COMMUNITY CONFERENCE, A STORE TO SELL HAND CRAFT PRODUCTS LOCALLY MADE AND LOCAL ARTISAN WORKS, RESTROOM, STORAGE ROOMS FOR OUR SEC PROGRAM, VOLUNTEER DORMITORIES, FOOD GARDENS, AND INDEPENDENT BACK UP POWER. THIS FACILITY PROVIDES READING, MATH, AND ENGLISH INSTRUCTION AND REINFORCEMENT. THE MASSIVE COURTYARD PROVIDES A MEETING AREA FOR COMMUNITY AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT MEETINGS. THIS FACILITY IS A HUGE UPGRADE FOR OUR IMPACT AND WORK IN EL TRANSITO, IMPACTING 2,200 RESIDENTS. IN 2022, WE USED THE MASSIVE COURTYARD TO CONTINUE ENGLISH CLASSES AND AS A DISTRIBUTION CENTER FOR FOOD DISTRIBUTION UNDER SOMOS EL CAMBIO. IN 2023, THE COMMUNITY CENTER WAS USED FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF READING AND MATH FAIRS. IT WAS ALSO PROVIDED FOR THE MEDICAL STAFF OF THE LEN HOSPITAL TO CARRY OUT HEALTH DAYS FOR THE RESIDENTS OF THE COMMUNITY. ALSO, WAS USED TO SUPPORT MINSA VACCINATION CAMPAIGNS AND GYNECOLOGIST CONSULT FROM LOCALS. AS WELL, AS VETERINARY CLINIC DAYS TO PROMOTE ANIMAL CARE AND PROTECTION SUCH AS VACCINATIONS, STERILIZATION, CANCER TREATMENTS AND DEWORMING. WE USE THIS SPACE TO BENEFIT THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE. IN 2024, THE SAME ACTIVITIES CONTINUED TO BE HELD AT THE COMMUNITY CENTER. THIS SPACE CONTINUED TO SERVE AS A VITAL RESOURCE, BENEFITING THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY BY PROVIDING ACCESS TO NECESSARY SERVICES AND FOSTERING OVERALL WELL-BEING.
- $59,956 spent. FROM TIME TO TIME, NICA ASSISTS OTHER COMMUNITIES TO FUND PROJECTS THAT ARE WITHIN NICA'S MISSION AND COMPLY WITH OUR REPORTING POLICIES. THESE PROJECTS ARE PRESENTED AND APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. TO DATE, WE HAVE FACILITATED FUNDING FOR LAGUNA APOYO PROGRAM AS WELL AS A MONTHLY VETERINARIAN CLINIC FOR EL TRANSITO. CURRENTLY, WE CONTINUE TO FUND PROJECTS IN THE LAGUNA APOYO COMMUNITY ON A PROJECT-BY-PROJECT BASIS.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 2024.
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 June 2006.
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.
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