Bi-Okoto Drum & Dance Theatre
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
Bi-Okoto envisions a world where individuals families and communities take pride in their cultural heritage while appreciating the cultural expression of others. Our mission is to preserve and share the heritage of Africa by using traditional arts as an educational tool to promote cultural awareness in communities globally.
- Income
- $472,800
- Spending
- $402,932
- Spent on programs
- 88%
- Reserves
- -9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 67%
- Employees
- 2
- Volunteers
- 56
- Highest pay
- $59,995, 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
Fair: 55 out of 100. Higher than 23% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 42% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 15% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 32% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1588% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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: 81 out of 100. Higher than 64% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2511 of 11 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
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
0 of 10Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, 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 (3)
- $140,000 spent. Virtual hands-on experience and training in dance drumming music art food and language. Lecture demonstrations time sampler for preschool and homeschool students. These programs are interactive interdisciplinary and based on statewide national humanities standards that engage students in utilizing their creative thinking skills fostering awareness of cultural differences and similarities and building self-esteem. With over 250 performances annually Bi-Okoto reaches over 9,800 children and adults during the 2025 school year.
- $125,000 spent. Classes and Summer Camp - Year long classes and workshops are offered to students ages 5 to adult in African dance drumming Afro-Caribbean dance capoeira African cooking and philosophy and African languages. The Summer Camp introduces children to African culture through music dance field trips languages handmade crafts character-building exercises and activities. The camp concludes with a performance and art exhibition by the students for their parents and the community.
- $89,959 spent. Customized workshops are provided for schools and colleges spanning a minimum of one week. Our Residency programs introduce fundamental music dance and theatre skills integrating language arts math and science curriculum by identifying patterns and shapes in dance beats and rhythms. Each residency concludes with a culminating event involving students and faculty. We have conducted more than 60 residencies engaging around 6,800 students.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since August 2002.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.