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San Diego Archaeological Center

EIN 33-0574573 · Escondido, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong97 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF THE SAN DIEGO ARCHAEOLOGICAL CENTER IS TO PROMOTE THE IMPORTANCE OF CULTURAL RESOURCES THROUGH EDUCATION AND PRESERVE THEM IN PARTNERSHIP WITH TRIBAL AND OTHER COMMUNITIES.THERE ARE OVER 30,000 ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY. IN THE FACE OF EXPANDING DEVELOPMENT, THESE CULTURAL RESOURCES ARE AT RISK OF DESTRUCTION. WHEN THESE IRREPLACEABLE SITES AND ARTIFACTS ARE DESTROYED, IT CREATES A PERMANENT GAP IN OUR UNDERSTANDING OF SAN DIEGOS PAST. THE CENTER PRESERVES OVER 2 MILLION OF THESE ARTIFACTS AND ASSOCIATED DOCUMENTS ACROSS 1,430 ARCHAEOLOGICAL COLLECTIONS. EDUCATION IS A CORNERSTONE OF THE CENTERS WORK. MUSEUM EXHIBITS INCLUDE HALLMARKS OF THE HOLOCENE, AN INTERACTIVE EXHIBIT FEATURING ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES AROUND THE WORLD, AND FACT OR FICTION: HOLLYWOOD, HOAXES, AND HEARSAY, WHICH INVESTIGATES THE SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE (OR LACK THEREOF) FOR COMMONLY HELD ARCHAEOLOGICAL BELIEFS. ADULT PROGRAMS INVOLVE LECTURES ON LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESEARCH

Income
$595,830
Spending
$497,703
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
17.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 53%
Employees
8
Volunteers
46
Highest pay
$72,292, trustee / e.d.

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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 88% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 17.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 16% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 26% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 17 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

Strong: 97 out of 100. Higher than 91% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 12 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a 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

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • 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 (1)
  1. $395,382 spent. During FY 24-25,the Center served 8,485 people in 411 educational and community programs. There were over 2,007 visitors to the museum, and 46 active volunteers and interns donated 3,960 hours in collections, library, GIS, education, and administrative departments. The Center currently curates 1,430 archaeological collections.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since March 1995.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.