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Passes our checks

Vaya Verde

EIN 27-1206038 · Albuquerque, NM

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair67 out of 100GovernanceWeak49 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Raising each dollar of donations cost 99 cents.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

TO ENHANCE CHILD DEVELOPMENT BY USING THE GAME OF CHESS TO PROMOTE AND STIMULATE INTELLECTUAL MATURITY, SOCIAL SKILLS, AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT.

Income
$434,185
Spending
$429,213
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
4.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 98%
Employees
19
Volunteers
27
Highest pay
$72,000, executive di

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

Fair: 67 out of 100. Higher than 39% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 99 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

Weak: 49 out of 100. Higher than 16% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    3 of 3 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no 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 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 (2)
  1. $187,512 spent. BEFORE/AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS: CHESS CLUBS AT ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS AROUND CENTRAL NEW MEXICO. THE PROGRAM SERVED OVER 1,500 DIFFERENT STUDENTS THIS FISCAL YEAR. STUDENTS BENEFITED FROM LEARNING THE GAME OF CHESS WITH LESSONS DESIGNED TO BENEFIT THEIR INTELLECTUAL, SOCIAL AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT WEEKLY FOR 14 WEEKS OVER THE SPRING OR FALL SEMESTER OR BOTH.
  2. $149,954 spent. CHESS CAMPS: WEEK LONG CHESS CAMPS AT LOCATIONS AROUND ALBUQUERQUE, RIO RANCHO, AND SANTA FE. STUDENTS WERE IMMERSED IN LEARNING THE GAME OF CHESS WITH LESSONS DESIGNED TO BENEFIT THEIR INTELLECTUAL, SOCIAL AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT. IN THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2025 WE SERVED OVER 800 STUDENTS.

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 June 2011.

    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.