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Indigenousways

EIN 26-1656689 · Santa Fe, NM

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceGood71 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

INDIGENOUSWAYS PROMOTES LIVING IN BALANCE FOR COMMUNITIES THROUGH MUSIC, ARTS, OUTREACH AND EVENTS. OUR VISION IS TO REACH AND UPLIFT COMMUNITIES THROUGH MUSIC, THE ARTS, AND INDIGENOUS WISDOM, FOSTERING CONNECTION AND RESILIENCE.

Income
$276,283
Spending
$252,340
Spent on programs
74%
Reserves
2.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 76%
Employees
2
Volunteers
108
Highest pay
$69,000, executive director

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: 75 out of 100. Higher than 48% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    74% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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

Good: 71 out of 100. Higher than 47% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 7 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 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 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. $105,754 spent. THE INDIGENOUSWAYS FESTIVAL IS A FREE, FAMILY FRIENDLY COMMUNITY ARTS GATHERING FEATURING LIVE MUSIC, PERFORMANCES, WORKSHOPS, AND CULUTRAL PRESENTATIONS BY INDIGENOUS ARTISTS AND CULTURAL BEARERS. THE FESTIVAL PROMOTES CULTURAL EDUCATION, INTERGENERATIONAL PARTICIPATION, AND PUBLIC ACCESS TO THE ARTS THROUGH INCLUSIVE OUTDOOR PROGRAMMING.
  2. $39,724 spent. THE INDIGENOUSWAYS WISDOM CIRCLE IS A MONTHLY PUBLIC PROGRAM THAT SHARES CONVERSATIONS WITH INDIGENOUS ARTISTS, ELDERS, AND KNOWLEDGE KEEPERS THROUGH VIRTUAL AND HYBRID GATHERINGS. THE PROGRAM SUPPORTS CULTURAL PRESERVATION, EDUCATION, AND COMMUNITY CONNECTION BY MAKING TRADITIONAL AND CONTEMPORARY PERSPECTIVES WIDELY ACCESSIBLE.
  3. $32,452 spent. THE INDIGENOUSWAYS FILM FESTIVAL IS AN ANNUAL PUBLIC FILM EVENT THAT SHOWCASES FILMS BY EMERGING AND PROFESSIONAL FILMMAKERS, WITH A FOCUS ON WOMEN AND YOUTH. THE FESTIVAL INCLUDES SCREENINGS, ARTIST TALKS AND EDUCATIONAL PANELS DESIGNED TO SUPPORT CULTURAL STORYTELLING AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENTS. EVENTS ARE FREE AND ACCESSIBLE TO THE PUBLIC.
  4. $9,582 spent. INDIGENOUS WAYS VISITED BLACK MOUNTAIN RESERVATION TAKING FOOD, WATER AND SUPPLIES. IN ADDITION, INDIGENOUSWAYS MEDIA ARTS CONTINUED, ALONG WITH NEW POW WOW AND YOUTH ENTREPRENEURS & INTERNSHIP PROGRAMS.

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 March 2008.

    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.