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Downtown Fresno Foundation

EIN 47-3825104 · Fresno, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak39 out of 100GovernanceNot ratedThe short tax form does not cover thisImpact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

To enhance our community by providing resources and support to downtown Fresno stakeholders.

Income
$136,542
Spending
$126,791
Reserves
2.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 97%

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 39 out of 100. Higher than 11% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 90% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 7% of income.

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.

Source: Form 990EZ 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 (2)
  1. $6,097 spent. Downtown Academy - Fresnos Leading Young Professionals established Downtown Academy in 2010 to answer the question: how do we make downtown Fresno a vibrant place to live and work? In 2016, the Downtown Fresno Partnership and Fresnos Leading Young Professionals joined forces to make the program even bigger and better. This year, the program enters its 7th cohort with over 100 graduating members. So, what is Downtown Academy? Downtown Academy is a 10-month award-winning collaborative program designed to connect key business, government, and community leaders with forward-thinking young professionals to explore downtown Fresno, how we got here and where were headed. Downtown Academy is exclusively offered to members of Fresnos Leading Young Professionals. Downtown Academy received the 2016 Leadership & Management Excellence Award from the International Downtown Association and has been referred to by former Fresno mayor, Ashley Swearengin, as one of the best programs to come out of the revitalization movement 3/3/2016.
  2. $119,403 spent. DFF was awarded a grant to further Kresge?s American Cities Program aims to expand opportunities in America?s cities through grantmaking and social investing in arts and culture, education, environment, health, human services, and community development

Source: Form 990EZ 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 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 2024.

    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 July 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.