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Sun Valley Community Center

EIN 47-4226132 · Denver, CO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood77 out of 100GovernanceGood86 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SUN VALLEY COMMUNITY CENTER'S MISSION IS TO SUPPORT, CONNECT, AND EMPOWER THE SUN VALLEY COMMUNITY SO THAT ALL RESIDENTS CAN THRIVE AS THE NEIGHBORHOOD GROWS AND TRANSFORMS. GROUNDED IN FIVE GUIDING VALUES-NOURISH, ENRICH, EDUCATE, UNITE, AND EMPLOY-WE TAKE A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO MEETING THE DIVERSE NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITY. OUR WORK IS DRIVEN BY FOUR CORE PILLARS: FOOD ACCESS THROUGH OUR NO-COST GROCERY PROGRAM AND FOOD-BASED INITIATIVES; YOUTH EMPOWERMENT THROUGH COOKING CLASSES, ATHLETICS, JOB TRAINING, AND EMPLOYMENT; HOLISTIC HEALTH THROUGH CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE CARE, MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT, AND WELLNESS PROGRAMMING; AND COMMUNITY BUILDING THROUGH ANNUAL EVENTS LIKE THE VIADUCT NIGHT MARKET, FALL HARVEST FEST, AND INCLUSIVE SEASONAL CELEBRATIONS THAT BRING NEIGHBORS TOGETHER.

Income
$872,660
Spending
$955,885
Spent on programs
74%
Reserves
7.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 75%
Employees
23
Highest pay
$60,000, founder

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

Good: 77 out of 100. Higher than 55% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 7.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 10% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    74% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 12 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

Good: 86 out of 100. Higher than 72% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 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

    0 of 5

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

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.

  • 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, 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 (5)
  1. $212,962 spent. NO-COST GROCERY PROGRAM: SVCC'S NO-COST GROCERY PROGRAM PROVIDES GROCERIES,TOILETRIES, DIAPERS, AND HOT MEALS FOR FAMILIES IN SUN VALLEY TWICE PERWEEK, ON WEDNESDAYS AND SATURDAYS. IN 2024, THE PROGRAM DISTRIBUTED 130,485 POUNDS OF FOOD AND 12,568 HOT MEALS TO 4,683 DUPLICATED FAMILIES AND 10,464 DUPLICATED INDIVIDUALS. SVCC PARTNERS WITH DENVER FOOD RESCUE AND OTHER LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS, SUCH AS DENVER BOTANIC GARDENS, TO DISTRIBUTE RESCUED FOOD FROM LOCAL GROCERY STORES, GARDENS, AND FARMS. SVCC ALSO PURCHASES ADDITIONAL FOOD STAPLES TO SUPPLEMENT THE DONATED ITEMS.
  2. $152,137 spent. SUN VALLEY KITCHEN IS A SOCIAL ENTERPRISE RESTAURANT THAT PROVIDES EMPLOYMENT, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, AND MENTORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR ADULTS AND YOUTH IN SUN VALLEY.
  3. $153,865 spent. YOUTH EMPLOYMENT & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM: IN 2024, SVCC'S YOUTH EMPLOYMENT & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM EMPLOYED 10 YOUTH FROM SUN VALLEY. THIS PROGRAM FOCUSES ON WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, TRAINING, MENTORSHIP, FOOD SAFETY TRAINING, TIME MANAGEMENT, GOAL SETTING, AND OTHER PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES THE PROGRAM ALSO INCLUDES MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT TO ENSURE THE WELL-BEING OF YOUTH EMPLOYEES. SVCC YOUTH EMPLOYEES ASSIST WITH THE ORGANIZATION'S NO-COST GROCERY PROGRAM AND FOOD DISTRIBUTION EFFORTS, WEEKNIGHT COMMUNITY DINNERS FOR YOUTH AND FAMILIES, AND OTHER COMMUNITY CENTER PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES
  4. $188,369 spent. THE SUN VALLEY VIADUCT NIGHT MARKET IS A BOLD, JOYFUL CELEBRATION OF WEST DENVER'S CULTURE, CREATIVITY, AND COMMUNITY POWER. HELD BENEATH THE COLFAX VIADUCT ON THE EDGE OF THE SUN VALLEY NEIGHBORHOOD, THE MARKET TRANSFORMS AN OVERLOOKED INDUSTRIAL CORRIDOR INTO A VIBRANT, WELCOMING HUB FILLED WITH FOOD, MUSIC, ART, AND CONNECTION. THIS FLAGSHIP COMMUNITY EVENT BRINGS TOGETHER OVER 70 LOCAL VENDORS, ARTISTS, AND SMALL BUSINESSES-MANY OF THEM WESTSIDE-BASED-TO SHOWCASE THEIR WORK AND GENERATE REAL ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY. WITH FOOD TRUCKS, ARTISAN GOODS, LIVE MUSIC, DANCE PERFORMANCES, ROLLER SKATING, GAMES, AND FAMILY-FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES, THE EVENT DRAWS OVER 3,000 ATTENDEES FROM SUN VALLEY AND ACROSS THE DENVER METRO AREA. YOUTH ENRICHMENT PROGRAM: THE YOUTH ENRICHMENT PROGRAM PROVIDES COOKING AND OTHER ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES FOR ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS IN SUN VALLEY. IN 2024, SVCC SERVED 131 DUPLICATED YOUTH THROUGH 48 COOKING CLASSES, WITH 41 RETURNING YOUTH. WITH GUIDANCE FROM AN INSTRUCTOR AND VOLUNTEERS, THE YOUTH LEARNED TECHNIQUES, SKILLS, AND RECIPE LITERACY TO COOK HEALTHY MEALS CONFIDENTLY IN THE KITCHEN. WESTSIDE ATHLETICS: WESTSIDE ATHLETICS PROVIDES WEEKLY SPORTS PERFORMANCE TRAINING SESSIONS FOR MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS, HOSTED BY A TRAINER AND FOLLOWED BY A MEAL. THESE SESSIONS OFFER YOUTH THE CHANCE TO DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS SUCH AS AGILITY, SPEED, AND STRENGTH. IN 2024, SVCC OFFERED 46 YOUTH WEEKLY TRAINING SESSIONS AND FIELD TRIPS. THIS PROGRAM NOT ONLY PROMOTES PHYSICAL FITNESS BUT ALSO FOSTERS TEAMWORK AND DISCIPLINE AMONG THE PARTICIPANTS. HEALTH AND WELLNESS CENTER: OUR HEALTH & WELLNESS CENTER, OFFERING FREE HEALTH SERVICES TO SUN VALLEY RESIDENTS AND MEDICAID RECIPIENTS, PROVIDES A VARIETY OF MODALITIES, INCLUDING AURICULAR ACUPUNCTURE, CHAIR YOGA, AROMATHERAPY, HERBAL REMEDIES, MEDITATION, AND A MONTHLY HERBAL WELLNESS WORKSHOP TO ENHANCE OVERALL WELL-BEING. THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, SVCC SERVED 683 DUPLICATED INDIVIDUALS THROUGH THESE PROGRAMS AND WORKSHOPS.
  5. THE SUN VALLEY VIADUCT NIGHT MARKET IS A BOLD, JOYFUL CELEBRATION OF WEST DENVER'S CULTURE, CREATIVITY, AND COMMUNITY POWER. HELD BENEATH THE COLFAX VIADUCT ON THE EDGE OF THE SUN VALLEY NEIGHBORHOOD, THE MARKET TRANSFORMS AN OVERLOOKED INDUSTRIAL CORRIDOR INTO A VIBRANT, WELCOMING HUB FILLED WITH FOOD, MUSIC, ART, AND CONNECTION. THIS FLAGSHIP COMMUNITY EVENT BRINGS TOGETHER OVER 70 LOCAL VENDORS, ARTISTS, AND SMALL BUSINESSES-MANY OF THEM WESTSIDE-BASED-TO SHOWCASE THEIR WORK AND GENERATE REAL ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY. WITH FOOD TRUCKS, ARTISAN GOODS, LIVE MUSIC, DANCE PERFORMANCES, ROLLER SKATING, GAMES, AND FAMILY-FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES, THE EVENT DRAWS OVER 3,000 ATTENDEES FROM SUN VALLEY AND ACROSS THE DENVER METRO AREA. YOUTH ENRICHMENT PROGRAM: THE YOUTH ENRICHMENT PROGRAM PROVIDES COOKING AND OTHER ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES FOR ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS IN SUN VALLEY. IN 2024, SVCC SERVED 131 DUPLICATED YOUTH THROUGH 48 COOKING CLASSES, WITH 41 RETURNING YOUTH. WITH GUIDANCE FROM AN INSTRUCTOR AND VOLUNTEERS, THE YOUTH LEARNED TECHNIQUES, SKILLS, AND RECIPE LITERACY TO COOK HEALTHY MEALS CONFIDENTLY IN THE KITCHEN. WESTSIDE ATHLETICS: WESTSIDE ATHLETICS PROVIDES WEEKLY SPORTS PERFORMANCE TRAINING SESSIONS FOR MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS, HOSTED BY A TRAINER AND FOLLOWED BY A MEAL. THESE SESSIONS OFFER YOUTH THE CHANCE TO DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS SUCH AS AGILITY, SPEED, AND STRENGTH. IN 2024, SVCC OFFERED 46 YOUTH WEEKLY TRAINING SESSIONS AND FIELD TRIPS. THIS PROGRAM NOT ONLY PROMOTES PHYSICAL FITNESS BUT ALSO FOSTERS TEAMWORK AND DISCIPLINE AMONG THE PARTICIPANTS. HEALTH AND WELLNESS CENTER: OUR HEALTH & WELLNESS CENTER, OFFERING FREE HEALTH SERVICES TO SUN VALLEY RESIDENTS AND MEDICAID RECIPIENTS, PROVIDES A VARIETY OF MODALITIES, INCLUDING AURICULAR ACUPUNCTURE, CHAIR YOGA, AROMATHERAPY, HERBAL REMEDIES, MEDITATION, AND A MONTHLY HERBAL WELLNESS WORKSHOP TO ENHANCE OVERALL WELL-BEING. THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, SVCC SERVED 683 DUPLICATED INDIVIDUALS THROUGH THESE PROGRAMS AND WORKSHOPS.

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

  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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 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 September 7, 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 7, 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.