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Transcendance Youth Arts Project

EIN 20-4641700 · San Diego, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood76 out of 100GovernanceStrong94 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

We provide access to dance & performance, & holistic wraparound services, for young people from marginalized communities. We support youth as they transcend barriers, recognize their own potential & power, and create positive change.

Income
$1.4 million
Spending
$1.4 million
Spent on programs
74%
Reserves
4.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 64%
Employees
29
Volunteers
32
Highest pay
$119,566, executive dir.

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: 76 out of 100. Higher than 62% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 29% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 9% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    74% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 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 67% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a 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.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    9 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports 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 (4)
  1. $656,291 spent. Through the CREATE Performance Group, youth ages 9-18 years engage in rigorous dance training, are immersed in a social change and social emotional learning curriculum, and have access to holistic wraparound services.
  2. $289,422 spent. transcenDANCECONNECTSto youth and communities through in-school and out-of-school time dance classes, artist-in-residency programs, community arts work in public spaces, and outreach performances.
  3. $83,069 spent. transcenDANCE alumniCONTRIBUTEthrough performances, teaching and choreography assistantships and paid roles, and mentoring of incoming students, and are eligible for college scholarships.
  4. 2025 CONNECT programs: -Held on-site dance & visual art classes weekly throughout the school year for 36 students, ages 4-8 years. -Partnered with 15 school residency sites in Lemon Grove and San Diego, serving 1,179 students across school-year residency programming. -Offered summer residency programming for 125 students in partnership with the Lemon Grove School District, and an additional 34 students through summer residency work in partnership with Kupanda Kids (refugee serving organization). -Reached 3,360 audience members through outreach performances held at community partner sites, festivals, events, and conferences. CREATE HIGHLIGHTS -CREATE Performance Groups of 65 students total, in 3 age-based cohorts, held 2 performances of Rooted and Dreaming at the Hoover High School Performing Arts Center for 920 total audience members. -350+ program hours of dance, poetry, visual arts, and performing arts activities that also included a social emotional learning curriculum. -Holistic wraparound support including meal service, mental health and wellness services, leadership development opportunities, and college readiness support for high school seniors. -29 students attended a Level Up SD summer camp experience, with two weeks of 9-hour days of dance, poetry, and visual arts experiences. CONTRIBUTE HIGHLIGHTS -10 CONTRIBUTE college-age alumni received ongoing mentor ship and mental health and wellness support. -11 paid positions for teens and alumni as performers, choreographers, teaching artists, and program staff assistants. -11 college scholarships, totaling $26,400.

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

  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 November 6, 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 December 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 April 2007.

    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 November 4, 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.