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Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens

EIN 33-0944424 · San Clemente, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair65 out of 100GovernanceGood80 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

CASA ROMANTICA CULTURAL CENTER AND GARDENS IS AN AWARD-WINNING CENTER FOR THE ARTS AND HISTORIC LANDMARK. WE PROVIDE A RICH SELECTION OF PERFORMANCES, EXHIBITIONS, LECTURES, WORKSHOPS & TOURS YEAR-ROUND TO PEOPLE OF ALL AGES.

Income
$1.6 million
Spending
$1.4 million
Spent on programs
68%
Reserves
0.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 76%
Employees
20
Highest pay
$100,860, executive 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

Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 39% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 18% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 11% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 63% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    68% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 16 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: 80 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 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

    0 of 5

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

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 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 (1)
  1. $981,001 spent. DESPITE ONGOING CHALLENGES FOLLOWING THE LANDSLIDE OF 2023, CASA ROMANTICA SERVED OVER 23,000 VISITORS AND DELIVERED OVER 90 CHILDRENS PROGRAMS, WHILE MAINTAINING A STRONG COMMITMENT TO ACCESSIBILITYNEARLY 57% OF OUR OFFERINGS WERE $15 OR LESS, AND 15% WERE FREE. CASA ROMANTICA ENHANCED OUR GARDENS BY RE-CURATING OUR POLLINATOR SPACES, TRANSFORMING THEM INTO A THRIVING BUTTERFLY WAYSTATION AND HANDS-ON EDUCATIONAL RESOURCE. WE ALSO LAUNCHED THE STUDIO IN THE MAIN SALON, CREATING A DYNAMIC SPACE FOR ARTISTS TO WORK, EXHIBIT, AND ENGAGE DIRECTLY WITH GUESTS. IN ADDITION, WE INTRODUCED A YOUTH CHAMBER MUSIC PROGRAM, PROVIDING FREE CLASSICAL MUSIC EDUCATION TO YOUNG MUSICIANS. 92 CULTURAL EVENTS 10 MEMBER EVENTS 93 WEEKLY CLASSES 48 PRIVATE EVENTS 95 CHILDRENS EVENTS 305 PUBLIC HOURS 3 FUNDRAISERS 15 FIELD TRIPS 8 VOLUNTEER EVENTS 15% OF OUR EVENTS ARE FREE 57% OF OUR EVENTS ARE LOW COST ($5-$15) OVER 650 FACILITY USES

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 October 2001.

    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.