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Self-Help Graphics and Arts Inc

EIN 23-7311837 · Los Angeles, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

FOUNDED IN 1970 AS "ART, INC." BUT INCORPORATED AS A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION IN 1973 AS "SELF HELP GRAPHICS & ART" (SHG), SHG IS DEDICATED TO THE PRODUCTION, INTERPRETATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF PRINTS AND OTHER ART MEDIA BY CHICANA/O AND LATINX ARTISTS. OUR MULTIDISCIPLINARY AND INTERGENERATIONAL PROGRAMS PROMOTE ARTISTIC EXCELLENCE AND EMPOWER OUR COMMUNITY BY PROVIDING ACCESS TO SPACE, TOOLS, TRAINING, AND RESOURCES.

Income
$5.9 million
Spending
$1.9 million
Spent on programs
61%
Reserves
26.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 70%
Employees
32
Volunteers
17
Highest pay
$115,526, executive director (thru 11/2024)

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 80% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 26.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 9% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 68% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 168% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    61% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 6 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

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 June 30, 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 (1)
  1. $1.2 million spent. SELF-HELP GRAPHICS (SHG) PRESENTS CULTURAL EVENTS SUCH AS THE LONGEST RUNNING DIA DE LOS MUERTOS PUBLIC CELEBRATION IN THE COUNTRY FOR LOCAL AND REGIONAL AUDIENCES. THE EVENT INCLUDES A THREE-MONTH LONG SERIES OF PROGRAMS AIMED AT ENGAGING LOCAL COMMUNITIES IN A FESTIVAL EVENT ON OR AS CLOSE AS POSSIBLE TO NOVEMBER 2ND INCLUDING FOOD, ENTERTAINMENT, AND ART. SHG ALSO PROVIDES A ROBUST PROGRAM OF CULTURAL EXHIBITIONS YEAR-ROUND, WHICH INCLUDE PUBLIC AND EDUCATIONAL ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMMING. COMMUNITY AND YOUTH PROGRAMS - SELF-HELP GRAPHICS (SHG) PROMOTES AND SUPPORTS THE WORK OF EMERGING, ESTABLISHED, AND MID-CAREER CHICANO/LATINO VISUAL ARTISTS AND PROVIDES A SPACE WHERE THEY CAN WORK IN AN EGALITARIAN ATMOSPHERE OF CREATIVITY AND COOPERATION. SHG'S PUBLIC ART WORKSHOPS ATTRACT ARTISTS OF ALL LEVELS WHO WORK AT SHG IN A VARIETY OF MEDIUMS INCLUDING INTAGLIO PRINTMAKING, DIY SILK-SCREENING AND MANY OTHERS. SHG IS ONE OF THE FEW PLACES IN LOS ANGELES THAT OFFERS ARTISTS A SPACE WHERE THEY CAN DEVELOP ARTISTICALLY REGARDLESS OF AGE, RACE, OR ETHNICITY. SHG ALSO PROVIDES ART SERVICES TO SCHOOLS, COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS AND PRIVATE COMPANIES THROUGH ITS BARRIO MOBILE ART STUDIO WHICH SPECIALIZES IN A VARIETY OF ART WORKSHOPS TO ENGAGE WITH COMMUNITY AND YOUTH THROUGH ART. MOBILE ART WORKSHOPS INCLUDE SILK-SCREENING, STENCIL MAKING, MURAL PROJECTS AND MORE.PROFESSIONAL PRINT-MAKING PROGRAMS - SELF-HELP GRAPHICS (SHG) PROFESSIONAL PRINT-MAKING PROGRAM IS THE FOUNDATION OF THE ORGANIZATION. THE PROGRAM HAS PRODUCED NEARLY 3,193 EDITIONS OF SILKSCREEN PRINTS BY AN EVER-GROWING NUMBER OF LOCAL AND VISITING ARTISTS. THROUGH ITS COLLECTION, SHG SERVES AS A RESOURCE FOR ACADEMIC RESEARCH AND SCHOLARSHIP FOR HISTORIANS, TEACHERS, AND STUDENTS. SHG REMAINS A KEY INSTITUTION IN THE CULTURE OF EAST LOS ANGELES AND CALIFORNIA AS A CULTURAL NEXUS OF DEVELOPMENT OF EMERGING ARTISTS WHO USE ITS FACILITIES TO BRING THEIR ARTISTIC SKILLS AND IDEAS TO MATURITY. AS A RESULT, SHG BRINGS TO THE COMMUNITY THE PROUD TRADITION OF ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION THAT INSTILLS IN ITS YOUTH MODELS FOR FUTURE HOPE AND CAREER ASPIRATION.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 October 13, 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 June 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 September 1973.

    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 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.