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Diaspora Dna Story Center

EIN 33-1725010 · Elkins Park, PA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair56 out of 100GovernanceNot ratedThe short tax form does not cover thisImpact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

To promote cultural understanding and preserve the heritage of diverse communities through educational programming, immersive cultural tours, festivals, and accessible historical resources. Based in Philadelphia, we highlight the global majority through art, archives, ancestry and activations.

Income
$82,545
Spending
$78,411
Reserves
0.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 93%

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 56 out of 100. Higher than 25% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.8 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 5% of income.

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.

Source: Form 990EZ 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 (4)
  1. $9,556 spent. ACTIVATIONS Activation Programs are framed through "Celebrate the Magic of Philly Festivals"-centering Philadelphia's 200+ cultural festivals as heritage lifelines. "City of Festivals" is positioned as preserving/amplifying traditions through youth-driven storytelling, think tanks, toolkits, education opportunities, and a traveling bus tour that turns archives into experiences. Activities / People Served Philly Festivals Mixer 106 people Philly Festivals Think Tank 35 people Philly Festivals Website 1500 people Outcomes/Impact: Festival Producers participated in technical assistance, professionals development and a community of practice Audiences developed cultural curiosity and regard for multicultural festivals Hyperlocal heritage is preserved thru audiences seeing, sharing and supporting festival information
  2. $3,438 spent. ARCHIVES Archive Programs are about collecting and sharing global majority histories-helping spark critical thinking across past/present/future, and connecting guests to hidden histories and rare books in the Montgomery Collection. The archive is positioned as revitalizing public memory and supporting community discourse Activities & People Served: Archives & Vibes Talk - 150 Archives & Vibes Popup - 250 Outcomes/Impact: Audiences learned archival content creation and community building principles. Audiences learned how to preserve their family history Audiences learned to make their own archives Audiences felt empowered by holding history in their hand and developed an appreciation for antiques and ephemera
  3. $2,548 spent. Art Programs focus on artistic expression + creative reawakening, using creative art therapy sessions and curated exhibitions to create space for mindfulness, connection, and engagement with diasporic artforms and intangible cultural heritage practices across Diasporas. Activities & People Served: Mandela Day Creative Art Therapy - 40 Juneteenth Creative Art Therapy - 225 Innerglow Mindfulness - 75 Outcomes/Impact: Adults & students has Open ended discussions about various art types and diasporic visual and performing art forms. Audiences experienced healing, wellneing, stress relief and catharsis thru creative art therapy Particpamts boosted their creative confidence
  4. $1,100 spent. ANCESTRY Ancestry Programs center on reconnecting with roots, lifelines, and bloodline ("The Ancestors Never Left You"), using creative writing and genealogy scholar talks to explore identity and intersections across diasporas, with an emphasis on belonging, purpose, and honoring ancestors' legacy/ingenuity Activities / People Served Ancestral Wisdom For a Weary World Talk - 30 people The Ancestors Never Left You - 18 Outcomes/Impact: Audiences learnee stories about global majority Audiences felt belonging and solidarity through identity affirmation across diasporas Audiences desired to kinkeep, host family reunions, be family historian, record their personal history and pass on traditions.

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 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 December 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 November 2024.

    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.