Downtownabq Mainstreet Initiative
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The DowntownABQ MainStreet Initiative is a community redevelopment organization. Our mission is to promote and support downtowns economic, social, and creative vitality through community-driven projects and programs. A revitalized and vibrant downtown is a symbol of community economic health, local quality of life, pride, and community identity.
- Income
- $659,059
- Spending
- $734,653
- Spent on programs
- 87%
- Reserves
- 1.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 52%
- Employees
- 14
- Volunteers
- 20
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
Fair: 54 out of 100. Higher than 23% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 1.5 months of spending.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 34% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 11% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 32% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1587% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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
Fair: 59 out of 100. Higher than 24% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2510 of 10 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (3)
- $197,898 spent. Downtown Growers Market - The market is home to over 75 New Mexican growers offering the highest quality produce available in Albuquerque, along with a wide array of talented local artists and a delicious mix of prepared food artisans. Every week we feature a live band, community nonprofits, a bike valet service, and lots of community spirit! All are welcome! 70,000 individuals were served.
- $210,416 spent. Arts and Cultural District The Downtown Arts & Cultural District, made up of roughly 30 blocks in and around the Central Avenue corridor, works to support and promote creative work / local businesses and institutions, and increase visitors to the area. Albuquerques Downtown is home to a unique array of assets, including artists, designers, filmmakers, galleries, museums, theaters, musicians, music venues, city festivals, restaurants, food trucks / kitchens, breweries, coffee shops, and creative entrepreneurs living and working in both formal and informal spaces. 20,000 individuals were served.
- $230,211 spent. Downtown Placemaking From our initial program to bring community placemaking to Civic Plaza which began in 2014, we have grown the program to bring placemaking to the larger Downtown. Through programming with Artwalk, a monthly downtown arts crawl event which we support through grant writing, event coordination, permitting, and promotion, to the Downtown Rail Trail community engagement project, to programs for murals and pop up music and food events, we strive to bring vitality to downtowns vacant and underutilized spaces. These programs are essential to bringing economic opportunity to our downtown businesses and organizations while providing community friendly events for our residents and visitors. Over 25,000 individuals were served.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since July 2014.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.