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Diablo Regional Arts Association

EIN 23-7043920 · Walnut Creek, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood70 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

DRAA invests in outstanding arts experiences and creates avenues for everyone to enjoy the arts. DRAA brings world-class performances and inspiring arts education to the East Bay.

Income
$457,341
Spending
$546,374
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
38.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 73%
Employees
8
Volunteers
14
Highest pay
$35,391, exec director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 41% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 38.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 9% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 19% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 74% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 95% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    25 of 26 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

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

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

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 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)
  1. $241,740 spent. Artistic ExcellenceDRAA is the Presenting Arm of the Lesher Center for the Arts, bringing top-notch performances, major festivals, and educational and outreach programs.
  2. $157,756 spent. Bedford Gallery and Center REP Bedford Gallery - DRAA is proud to support the Bedford Gallery exhibition and outreach programs. The Bedford Gallery, located in the Lesher Center for the Arts, is dedicated to providing opportunities to learn about visual arts through varied, accessible, challenging, and educational exhibitions and programs. Center REP - DRAA is honored to support Center REPertory Company, the resident professional theatre company of the Lesher Center for the Arts. Center REP celebrates the power of the human imagination by producing emotionally engaging, intellectually involving, and visually astonishing live theatre through outreach and education programs to enrich and advance the cultural life of the communities we serve. Continued on Schedule O
  3. $69,184 spent. Headliner SeriesDRAA's Lesher Center Presents Headliner Series features major touring artists and arts organizations. Throughout the year the lineup includes internationally recognized top-tier talent from the world of comedy, dance, theater, world-music and family-friendly programming brought to you by the Lesher Center and Diablo Regional Arts Association.
  4. $7,008 spent. Education and OutreachThe Arts Access School-Time Program is an innovative and collaborative program that focuses on outreach to Title 1 schools from the most impoverished neighborhoods in the East Bay. It provides qualifying schools with free tickets and transportation to high-quality professional performances at the Lesher Center for the Arts. Since 2008, these programs have served more than 70,000 East Bay families, youth, and educators who would not otherwise have an opportunity to experience high-quality live performances and visual arts exhibits. DRAA also provides California Content Standards-based curriculum materials for teachers to use, which enhances the students and teachers' experience well beyond the day of the field trip.
  5. Continued from Form 990 Page 2OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES Fiesta Cultural is a week of vibrant events and performances at Walnut Creek's Lesher Center for the Arts. Fiesta Cultural is a celebration of Latinx/a/o art and culture and also includes a free street fair with music and dance from the diverse cultures of Latin America.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 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 August 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 July 1969.

    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.