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California Dance Institute

EIN 26-3464981 · Los Angeles, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceGood76 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The California Dance Institute is an arts education program that teaches life and learning skills through dance and music. CDI's mission is to motivate children to develop a personal standard of excellence by instilling confidence, discipline and focus through a joyful, structured dance workout.

Income
$410,669
Spending
$317,403
Spent on programs
91%
Reserves
5.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 65%
Employees
14
Highest pay
$44,180, director

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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 63% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 23% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 28% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    91% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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: 76 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 9 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

    5 of 5

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

  • 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 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 (7)
  1. $288,826 spent. See schedule O.
  2. In-school Program - The CDI program gives children a basic understanding of the fundamentals of movement, rhythm and music in structured, energetic dance classes with live musical accompaniment for 20-25 sessions in each school. Classes are taught during school hours, as part of the academic curriculum, ideally to all classes of one grade level (usually 4th grade). Each class is taught by a professional lead teacher, assistant teacher and musician, each of whom has been trained in National Dance Institutes methodology. CDI builds upon the school curriculum by collaborating with classroom teachers on skills-building, lesson topics and visual art projects. Schools also receive a staff development workshop for all their classroom teachers. Students perform in mid-point and culminating in-school performances for their friends, family and peers.
  3. After-School Programs - Students from each school who exhibit particular enthusiasm and commitment are invited to attend the after-school SWAT (Super Wonderful Advanced Team) practices. SWAT dancers learn more advanced steps and choreography especially designed for their talent level. Advanced SWAT members may graduate to the after-school Celebration Teams. Advanced teams often perform in community events throughout the year.
  4. Event of the Year Production - Each June, the school-wide Event of the Year production brings together SWAT and Celebration teams from all participating schools for elaborately staged performances in a professional theater with a live band, costumes and projected backdrops. The performances are held at the beautiful and historic Wilshire Ebell Theater in Mid-City Los Angeles, and feature over 250 children dancing for over 1500 audience members over three performances.
  5. Volunteer Program CDI has a large and active cadre of volunteers: parents, school administrators and teachers, as well as CDI board members, participate in nearly every aspect of the program. Many contribute in-kind services in addition to hands-on project support. At schools where parent involvement was historically low, teachers and principals have found that CDI helps galvanize parents toward greater participation in their childrens education. In schools where parents speak little or no English, the dance program gives them a unique opportunity for involvement. The periodic demonstrations throughout the year afford parents an opportunity to experience what their children are learning and interact with their childrens school culture and curriculum in an entertaining and non-verbal way. To learn about volunteer opportunities, click here.
  6. Residencies and Staff Development - CDI also conducts two week residencies and in-school professional development programs.
  7. Expenses incurred for all programs.

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 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 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 February 2009.

    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.