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Athena Project

EIN 47-4154570 · Littleton, CO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood70 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Athena Project amplifies the voices of women and underrepresented genders through the arts.

Income
$198,774
Spending
$195,431
Spent on programs
54%
Reserves
5.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 63%
Employees
0
Volunteers
30
Highest pay
$39,600, executive dir.

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

Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 43% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 10% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 1% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    54% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 20 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 92% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 5 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

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • 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 (5)
  1. $69,264 spent. Curating Art for Impact offers unique experiential art curated/produced in collaboration w/community partners, with a goal of paying women artists. artBURSTs, a program of Curating Art for Impact, brings more pop-up performances to underserved communities with limited arts access. Pop-up performances include musicians in the backs of pedicabs and visual art work on a mobile billboard truck, in addition to pop up stages occurring where dancers, spoken word artists, and comedians perform.
  2. $21,870 spent. Girls Create is a summer camp series that empowers young women, ages 12-16, to become future artistic leaders. Girls explore art forms including playwriting, comedy, fashion design, and self-expression through art. Professionals teach, guest artists share their expertise, and mentors from the community guide and encourage empowering girls to lead and to effect change in themselves and others through creative learning. Each week-long session culminates with a performance or exhibit of the participants work with friends, family, and the public.
  3. $12,130 spent. Read & Rant is Athena Project's monthly book club exploring plays written primarily by women and underrepresented genders. Led by an experienced dramaturg, we read two scripts each month and meet every third Monday online via Zoom. We explore brand new works with playwrights in the room and we discuss what makes a good script, how it affects us, and how it links to the larger world.
  4. $2,316 spent. Creative Arts Workshops offers dynamic sessions in a variety of artistic disciplines to encourage girls and nonbinary youth as well as women 55+ to tap into their creativity, gain confidence and find their artistic voice. Offerings include Rebel Arts which centers women ages 55+, providing professional guidance & instruction in various artistic disciplines, including visual art, storytelling & movement; G.R.R.L.S Create (Grow, Rise, Rebel, Lead, Shine) centers theatre, creative writing, fashion, poetry, and comedic disciplines, giving middle school girls and nonbinary youth a chance to nurture empathy for themselves and others while gaining mental health and mindfulness tools for resilience; and monthly Artfully Minded workshops, unleashing creativity for youth 8-18 yrs to lead and effect change in themselves and others through creative learning. Workshops are offered in the following performing art forms: spoken word, poetry, music, playwriting, acting/monologues, stand-up, and dance. Workshops are almost always free or low cost to participants.
  5. Comics Sound Off is a new monthly community group of comedians, led by Janae Burris, that meets virtually to learn from each other, receive training to grow and celebrate our voices in comedy. Were creating a space where women, girls, and underrepresented genders can connect and feel truly supported.

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 October 13, 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 June 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 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.