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Union for Contemporary Art Inc

EIN 45-2274312 · Omaha, NE

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak45 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE UNION FOR CONTEMPORARY ART STRENGTHENS THE CULTURAL AND SOCIAL LANDSCAPE OF OUR COMMUNITY BY USING THE ARTS AS A VEHICLE TO INSPIRE POSITIVE SOCIAL CHANGE.

Income
$1.9 million
Spending
$3.0 million
Spent on programs
68%
Reserves
2.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 86%
Employees
25
Volunteers
35
Highest pay
$142,947, executive director (thru 5.31.2024)

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 45 out of 100. Higher than 15% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 56% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 61% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    68% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 15 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

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

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 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

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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 December 31, 2024, 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. $296,668 spent. YOUTH OUTREACH: TO DATE, THE UNION HAS PROVIDED OVER 2,000 HOURS OF FREE CULTURAL PROGRAMS TO NORTH OMAHA YOUTH, WHICH PROVIDE ACCESS TO VISUAL AND PERFORMANCE ART OPPORTUNITIES. OUR AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS, SUMMER CAMPS, AND OUR SATURDAY ART CLUB HELP OUR YOUNG ARTISTS FIND THIER INDIVIDUAL VOICE, EMPOWERING THEM TO BE AGENTS FOR CHANGE IN THEIR PERSONAL LIVES AND COMMUNITIES.
  2. $208,773 spent. PERFOMING ARTS: THE UNION'S PERFORMING ARTS PROGRAM IS DEDICATED TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF PROFESSIONAL THEATRE ARTISTS AND THOUGHT-PROVOKING PRODUCTIONS THAT REFLECT AUTHENTIC AND DIVERSE NARRATIVES ABOUT EXPERIENCES WITHIN THE AFRICAN DIASPORA. TO DATE, WE HAVE PRODUCED 8 WORKS FOR THE STAGE, MANY EXPLORING THE UNTOLD HISTORY OF OUR NORTH OMAHA COMMUNITY.
  3. $709,071 spent. SUPPORT FOR ARTISTS: THROUGH THE CO-OP STUDIOS, FELLOWSHIP, EXHIBITION, POPULUS FUND AND OTHER PUBLIC PROGRAMS, THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDED OPPORTUNITIES FOR OVER 10,000 COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO CONNECT WITH THE ARTS OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS. THE UNION SERVES OVER 1,000 ARTISTS, EACH YEAR, THROUGH OUR PROGRAMS AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES.
  4. $843,302 spent. SUPPORT FOR COMMUNITY: THE UNION'S ABUNDANCE GARDEN INCLUDES 960 SQUARE FEET OF RAISED GARDEN BEDS, A GEODESIC DOME GREENHOUSE FOR SEEDLINGS AND OFF-SEASON GROWING, A SMALL FRUIT-TREE ORCHARD, COMPOSTING FACILITIES, A PERFORMANCE SPACE, AND AN OUTDOOR CLASSROOM USED FOR COMMUNITY EVENTS AND THE UNION'S YOUTH ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMS. WE HAVE GROWN AND FREELY DISTRIBUTED NEARLY 4000 LBS. OF PRODUCE SINCE THE GARDEN OPENED IN 2018. AND, THROUGH COMMUNITY-DRIVEN PROJECTS THAT FOCUS ON NEIGHBORHOOD-LEVEL RELATIONSHIP BUILDING, THE UNION'S NEIGHBORHOOD ARTS INITIATIVE PROVIDES LOCAL ARTISTS WITH OPPORTUNITIES FOR PROFESSIONAL GROWTH AND NORTH OMAHA RESIDENTS, OF ALL AGES, WITH AN ARRAY OF OPPORTUNITIES TO ACTIVELY ENGAGE IN CREATIVE PRACTICES, NEIGHBORHOOD REJUVENATION, AND BUILDING MORE POSTIIVE COMMUNITY NARRATIVES THROUGH PARTICIPATION IN THE ARTS.

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

    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 July 2012.

    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.