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Zocalo Public Square

EIN 47-0935094 · Los Angeles, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak20 out of 100GovernanceFair56 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Raising each dollar of donations cost 69 cents.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

WE PARTNER WITH EDUCATIONAL, CULTURAL, AND PHILANTHROPIC INSTITUTIONS TO PRESENT FREE PUBLIC EVENTS IN CITIES ACROSS THE U.S. AND BEYOND, AND TO PUBLISH ORIGINAL DAILY JOURNALISM THAT WE SYNDICATE TO MORE THAN 280 MEDIA OUTLETS NATIONWIDE. AS OUR COUNTRY'S PUBLIC SPHERE IS NARROW AND POLARIZED, ZOCALO SEEKS TO BE A WELCOMING INTELLECTUAL SPACE WHERE INDIVIDUALS AND COMMUNITIES CAN TACKLE FUNDAMENTAL QUESTIONS IN AN ACCESSIBLE, NONPARTISAN, AND BROAD-MINDED SPIRIT. WE ARE COMMITTED TO TRANSLATING IDEAS TO BROAD AUDIENCES AND TO ENGAGING A NEW, YOUNG, AND DIVERSE GENERATION IN THE PUBLIC SQUARE.

Income
$88,369
Spending
$516,965
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
0.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 59%
Employees
0
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$332,962, director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 20 out of 100. Higher than 5% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 29% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 485% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 77% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 69 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Fair: 56 out of 100. Higher than 42% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    0 of 25

    0 of 1 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 (1)
  1. $434,466 spent. THE ORGANIZATION COMPLETED 11 FREE PUBLIC LECTURES COVERING A WIDE RANGE OF TOPICS INCLUDING HEALTHCARE, THE ECONOMY, EDUCATION, SCIENCE, ART, AND POLITICS. THE OGANIZATION ALSO PUBLISHED APPROXIMATELY 500 PIECES OF ORIGINAL JOURNALISM.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 June 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 April 2004.

    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.