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Capital of Texas Media Foundation

EIN 46-3398438 · Austin, TX

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood81 out of 100GovernanceGood84 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE ORGANIZATION WAS FORMED TO PROMOTE PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF, AND ENGAGEMENT IN, LOCAL PUBLIC AND GOVERNMENTAL ISSUES. THE COMMUNITY SERVED WILL BE THE CENTRAL TEXAS COMMUNITY IN AND AROUND AUSTIN, TRAVIS COUNTY, TEXAS. THE ORGANIZATION INTENDS ON ACCOMPLISHING ITS MISSION THROUGH (1) FREE AND OPEN-TO-THE PUBLIC EVENTS AND FORUMS INTENDED TO EDUCATE AND ENGAGE THE COMMUNITY CONCERNING STATE AND LOCAL ISSUES, (2) PARTNERSHIPS WITH OTHER NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS THAT ALSO HAVE MISSIONS TO ENGAGE AND INFORM, AND (3) THE ONLINE DISSEMINATION OF NEWS AND DATA CONCERNING LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND CIVIC ISSUES, INCLUDING DATA OBTAINED THROUGH OPEN RECORDS/FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUESTS.

Income
$554,718
Spending
$473,876
Spent on programs
90%
Reserves
3.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 85%
Employees
2
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$143,000, ceo

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

Good: 81 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 21% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 15% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 8% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    89% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Good: 84 out of 100. Higher than 59% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    16 of 16 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

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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, 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 (1)
  1. $424,057 spent. PRODUCED REGULAR, UNBIASED NEWS COVERAGE FOR PUBLIC CONSUMPTION, PUBLISHING CONTENT FIVE DAYS A WEEK. OFFERED TWICE-DAILY EMAIL UPDATES OF IMPORTANT NEWS EVENTS AIMED AT INCREASING CIVIC ENGAGEMENT, HOSTED SIX FORUMS FEATURING ALL OF THE CANDIDATES SEEKING CITY COUNCIL OFFICE. ALL EVENTS WERE FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. IN ADDITION, FORUMS WERE LIVE-STREAMED (ALSO FREE) AND BOTH EVENTS SOUGHT AND INCORPORATED PUBLIC INPUT. PRODUCED WEEKLY RADIO PROGRAMS FOR KOOP RADIO BROADCAST AND PODCAST, COVERING LOCAL ELECTIONS, POLITICS AND KEY CIVIC ISSUES. MADE REGULAR APPEARANCES ON KUT EXPANDING ON COVERAGE FOUND IN THE MONITOR.

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 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 December 2024.

    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 December 2014.

    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.