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Asian Culture and Media Alliance Inc

EIN 47-1076931 · San Diego, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak38 out of 100GovernanceWeak19 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The Asian Cultural and Media Alliance (ACMA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting cultural awareness, appreciation, and empowerment among Asian Pacific Islander communities through media arts. Since 2013, ACMA has produced impactful programming such as the Asian Pacific Voices documentary and Radio podcast series, and the TAKE ONE Media Arts Academy, which provides hands-on vocational training to youth. ACMA also hosts the annual Asian Pacific Cultural Festival, a vibrant community event celebrating AANHPI heritage through cultural performances, culinary showcases, and vendor exhibits.

Income
$157,700
Spending
$278,781
Spent on programs
73%
Reserves
1.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 54%
Employees
0

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

Weak: 38 out of 100. Higher than 12% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 10% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 77% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 66% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    73% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 47 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

Weak: 19 out of 100. Higher than 3% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    0 of 11 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    0 of 5

    Reports that it does not keep minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • 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 (6)
  1. $58,000 spent. TAKE ONE YOUTH MEDIA ARTS ACADEMY.Recoginizing the need for accessible and affordable media resources, skills training and job creation opportunities to cultivate a diverse workforce, ACMA launched TAKE ONE in 2016 - a unique, immersive learning experience with an emphasis on financially disadvantaged transitional youth (ages 16-25).This free program provides participants with professional-level media skills, hands-on project-based learning, and real-world industry exposure. Beyond technical training, TAKE ONE fosters personal growth, career readiness, and job opportunities, equipping young content creators and filmmakers with the confidence, experience, and industry connections needed to thrive in the media landscape.
  2. $36,554 spent. MARKETING AND ADVERTISINGEXPENSES RELATED TO PROMOTING THE ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS, EVENTS, AND INITIATIVES THROUGH DIGITAL MARKETING, WEBSITE UPDATES AND MAINTENANCE, SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGNS, NEWSLETTERS, PRINT MATERIALS, AND OTHER OUTREACH EFFORTS DESIGNED TO INCREASE PUBLIC AWARENESS AND COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION.
  3. $29,430 spent. SHARED ROOTS INITIATIVEFUNDED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES (UCANR), THE SHARED ROOTS INITIATIVE IS A COMMUNITY-BASED MEDIA AND EDUCATION PROJECT THAT PROMOTES THE CALIFORNIA LAND EQUITY (CALE) INITIATIVE. THE PROGRAM PRODUCES STORYTELLING CONTENT, WORKSHOPS, AND MULTILINGUAL RESOURCES FOCUSED ON FARMING, SUBSTAINABILITY, LAND ACCESS, AND CULTURAL FOOD TRADITIONS, PARTICULARLY BENEFITING UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. THIS IS CURRENTLY A ONE-TIME PROJECT BUT MAY BE RENEWED DEPENDING ON FUTURE FUNDING AVAILABILITY.
  4. $27,950 spent. ASIAN PACIFIC VOICES TV & RADIO PODCAST SERIESAsian Pacific Voices is a dynamic collective of television and radio platforms dedicated to promoting and celebrating the rich arts, culture, and heritage of the Asian and Pacific Islander (API) communities. While rooted in San Diego, our reach extends throughout Southern California, amplifying diverse voices and stories that inspire, educate, and empower.Our Asian Pacific Voices Radio podcast is available on major podcast platforms, including YouTube, providing a space for meaningful conversations and storytelling. Meanwhile, our flagship program, Asian Pacific Voices TV, is an award-winning cable television series committed to uplifting the API community by offering representation and visibility in media. Reaching over 7 million households across California, the series serves as a powerful platform to highlight API achievements, traditions, and contributions.
  5. $26,950 spent. THE ASIAN PACIFIC CULTURAL FESTIVALAs part of our mission to strengthen the arts, cultural and creative sectors in serving our AANHPI community, ACMA hosts the annual Asian Pacific Cultural Festival to activate and engage our AANHPI's artistic and cultural leaders with other communities of color to promote commonalities, sow friendship and mutual respect.THE ASIAN PACIFIC CULTURAL FESTIVAL is San Diego's premier celebration of Asian and Pacific Islander (API) heritage, traditions, and contributions, bring together diverse communities for a day of cultural performances and interactive exhibits showcasing diverse arts and craft and culinary showcases. This free family-friendly event highlights API-owned businesses, artists, and organizations, fostering economic growth, cultural awareness, and community engagement, drawing 7,000 to 12,000 attendees annually, the festival serves as a vibrant platform for unity, education, and appreciation of API cultures in Southern California.
  6. $24,880 spent. COMMUNITY OUTREACHACTIVITIES CONDUCTED TO ENGAGE AND SERVE THE COMMUNITY THROUGH EDUCATIONALWORKSHOPS, CULTURAL PROGRAMS, PARTNERSHIPS WITH LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS, AND PUBLIC EVENTS THAT PROMOTE ACCESS TO MEDIA ARTS, CULTURAL AWARENESS, AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES.

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 December 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.