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Hijos Del Sol Arts Productions

EIN 46-4445158 · Salinas, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair68 out of 100GovernanceGood79 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Hijos Del Sol Arts Productions creates opportunities, inspires children and youth, and builds community in the Salinas Valley through visual and multicultural arts education, experiences, and mentorship, where young people are respected, develop artistic and life skills, and explore and embrace their cultural identities.

Income
$631,774
Spending
$637,014
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
3.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 61%
Employees
12
Volunteers
10
Highest pay
$95,271, executive director

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

Fair: 68 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 32% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 25% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 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

Good: 79 out of 100. Higher than 62% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    4 of 4 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

    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 (4)
  1. $211,099 spent. The Experimental Arts Studio, located in East Salinas, operates five days a week at no charge and empowers young artists and students through creative freedom, professional instruction, and cultural exploration. More than just a studio, it functions as a vibrant community hub where youth and emerging artists from underserved neighborhoods are encouraged to discover their identities through the arts. Participants receive hands-on instruction across multiple visual disciplines, including drawing, painting, and muralism. The studio emphasizes cultural pride, emotional expression, and personal growth. Each student is given the tools, mentorship, and safe space to explore their creativity without judgment. In 2025, the art studio opened on April 17th, and had 1502 non-unique youth sign-ins and 340 unique students
  2. $220,071 spent. To eliminate barriers to access, Hijos del Sol delivers off-site mobile art studio programming to schools, community organizations, and public events throughout Monterey County. This initiative allows children and youth who may not be able to visit the main studio to engage in high-quality art education experiences in their own communities. These mobile studios provide free, on-site workshops designed to spark creativity, build skills, and inspire cultural connection. In 2025, Hijos del Sol brought its mobile programming to approximately 4,129 children.
  3. $27,920 spent. Student Art Exhibits: Hijos del Sol hosts three major public exhibits each year that showcase student-created artwork and celebrate the cultural heritage of Indigenous and local communities. These events serve as creative platforms for participants to share their personal stories, artistic processes, and cultural insights. Youth are guided in writing short artist statements, which are displayed alongside their work, elevating their voices and perspectives. Projects are visually documented from inception through installation, emphasizing both process and product. Approximately 670 people participated in or attended these community exhibits in 2025.
  4. $97,568 spent. Community-Produced Murals: Hijos del Sol integrates youth from our Experimental Arts Studio directly into the planning and painting of large-scale public murals. Over 80 murals-featuring vibrant, culturally resonant social imagery reflective of the communities we serve-now adorn public buildings and walls across Monterey County and beyond. More than half of these murals were co-created with children and youth. Studio participants contribute throughout the full artistic process, gaining real-world experience in community engagement, storytelling through art, and public installation. In 2025, 29 artists and youth collaborators participated in these community mural projects. All other programs.

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 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 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 May 2015.

    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.