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Startup Tucson

EIN 46-0801496 · Tucson, AZ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong90 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WORKING TO TRANSFORM THE REGION'S ECONOMY THROUGH ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND INNOVATION.

Income
$833,964
Spending
$832,187
Spent on programs
67%
Reserves
8.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 69%
Employees
4
Volunteers
100
Highest pay
$195,629, ceo

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

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 75% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 10% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 43% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    67% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 16 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

Strong: 91 out of 100. Higher than 75% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 6 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

    6 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 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 (2)
  1. $309,652 spent. LEARN-BUILD-GROW ENTREPRENEUR DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMSTARTUP TUCSON'S LEARN-BUILD-GROW PROGRAM PROVIDES EDUCATION, MENTORSHIP, AND GROWTH SUPPORT FOR ENTREPRENEURS AND SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS ACROSS SOUTHERN ARIZONA. THROUGH WORKSHOPS, ACCELERATORS, PEER NETWORKS, AND COACHING, PARTICIPANTS GAIN THE SKILLS AND RESOURCES NEEDED TO EVALUATE BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES, LAUNCH NEW VENTURES, INCREASE REVENUE, AND STRENGTHEN OPERATIONS. THE PROGRAM PLACES PARTICULAR EMPHASIS ON SUPPORTING FIRST-TIME FOUNDERS, ENTREPRENEURS FROM UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES, CREATIVE BUSINESSES, AND INNOVATION-DRIVEN VENTURES THAT CONTRIBUTE TO REGIONAL ECONOMIC GROWTH AND JOB CREATION.
  2. $246,218 spent. TENWEST FESTIVALTENWEST IS STARTUP TUCSON'S ANNUAL COMMUNITY INNOVATION FESTIVAL THAT CONVENES ENTREPRENEURS, BUSINESS LEADERS, CREATIVES, INVESTORS, STUDENTS, AND COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS TO ADVANCE ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN SOUTHERN ARIZONA. THROUGH EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING, WORKSHOPS, KEYNOTE PRESENTATIONS, NETWORKING EVENTS, AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS, TENWEST PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES FOR PARTICIPANTS TO BUILD SKILLS, SHARE KNOWLEDGE, DEVELOP PROFESSIONAL CONNECTIONS, AND ENGAGE WITH EMERGING IDEAS SHAPING THE REGION'S FUTURE. THE FESTIVAL SUPPORTS STARTUP TUCSON'S MISSION TO FOSTER INNOVATION, STRENGTHEN THE ENTREPRENEURIAL ECOSYSTEM, AND PROMOTE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY THROUGHOUT SOUTHERN ARIZONA.

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

  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 2013.

    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.