Centrum Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
TO ENCOURAGE THOSE WHO SEEK CREATIVE AND ARTISTIC GROWTH WHILE PRESENTING VISUAL, LITERARY AND PERFORMING ARTS TO THE PUBLIC.
- Income
- $4.5 million
- Spending
- $4.6 million
- Spent on programs
- 73%
- Reserves
- 5.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 57%
- Employees
- 48
- Volunteers
- 300
- Highest pay
- $147,100, executive dir.
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: 69 out of 100. Higher than 45% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 5.4 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 29% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 2% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 4% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1573% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 26 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
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2518 of 18 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
15 of 15Its accounts were audited 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 (2)
- $3.3 million spent. WORKSHOPS, PERFORMANCES AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS: MORE THAN 10,000 PEOPLE PARTAKE IN CENTRUM PROGRAMS EACH YEAR. THE MAJORITY OF ACTIVITY HAPPENS IN THE SUMMER WHEN CENTRUM OFFERS WORKSHOPS IN JAZZ, BLUES, FIDDLE TUNES AND WRITING FOR STUDENTS OF ALL AGES. PERFORMANCES AT THE MCCURDY PAVILION AND WHEELER THEATER, FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC, ARE THE CULMINATION OF THE WORKSHOPS. IN ADDITION, CENTRUM OFFERS PROGRAMS SPECIFICALLY FOR WASHINGTON YOUTH, INCLUDING A HIGH SCHOOL SUMMER ARTS CAMP, WATER WORLD (FOR 5TH AND 6TH GRADERS), AND EXPLORATIONS (FOR MIDDLE SCHOOLERS). NEARLY 460 ARTISTS UTILIZE CENTRUM COTTAGES EACH YEAR TO CREATE NEW WORKS.
- PUBLIC AWARENESS AND MARKETING ACTIVITIES: CENTRUM ACTIVITIES ARE MARKETED THROUGH BROCHURES, PRINT, RADIO AND TELEVISION ADVERTISING AS WELL AS EXTENSIVELY THROUGH OUR WEBSITE, FACEBOOK, TWITTER AND OTHER SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES. THE WEBSITE FEATURES NEW CONTENT DAILY THROUGH BLOGS AND OTHER MATERIAL PROVIDED BY STAFF, STUDENTS AND VOLUNTEERS.
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 1974.
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.
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.