Central Area Betterment Association
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
To improve the quality of life and financial stability of the Central Avenue area and its territory of operation.
- Income
- $658,359
- Spending
- $403,531
- Spent on programs
- 72%
- Reserves
- -15.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- other income, 47%
- Employees
- 1
- Volunteers
- 769
- Highest pay
- $67,394, executive director
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
Fair: 50 out of 100.
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
5 of 20It owes 61% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 39% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 166% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1571% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 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: 84 out of 100.
Independent board
25 of 257 of 7 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (6)
- $77,874 spent. La Placita, Central Avenue Market at Bethany Park: La Placita is CABA's flagship community market, initiated to revitalize Bethany Park into a safe, vibrant, and family-friendly destination. What began as a monthly initiative has grown into a weekly hub of activity, featuring local vendors, fresh produce, live music, and family activities. The market has been instrumental in positive place-making, actively displacing negative activity in the park. It serves as a critical small business incubator, providing a low-barrier entry point for entrepreneurs to test and grow their ventures. 20,000+ residents and visitors were served in the 2024 season. It supports nearly 40 local vendors and organizations each week.
- $74,989 spent. Day of the Dead Celebration: CABA's Day of the Dead celebration is a major cultural event that transforms Central Avenue into a vibrant, communal space of remembrance and artistry. We honor this profound tradition by facilitating large-scale public altars (ofrendas), traditional dance performance, live music, and artisanal markets. This event provides a platform for cultural education and intergenerational sharing, preserving an important intangible heritage for the entire metro area. It fosters a deep sense of pride and identity within the Latino community while making it accessible to a diverse audience. There were 19,000+ attendees at our latest event. This event engages over 100 local artists, performers, and volunteers. It serves as a significant cultural tourism driver for Kansas City, Kansas.
- $17,305 spent. Summer Mentoring Program: * Provides 4th year high school students with mentors and situational experiences plus good work practices designed to prepare and to focus the student on personal successes. * Builds self-esteem giving young persons the inner strength to resist negative peer pressure. * Gives the community positive student/resident/business interaction. * Provides actual situational and work experiences generating future life success paths. * Pays a stipend after completion of the contract. * The program is open to Central Avenue Area High School Seniors. Program's History - For many Years CABA has held the "Student Job Placement Program" Sponsored by the Board of Public Utilities. During the year 2014 and after the execution of the SJPP a full revision of the program's goals and reach was reviewed and within the revision, structural changes were made to the program to increase the participant's community awareness and the promotion of student's leadership. The promotion of leadership and higher education became the specific goals, however, the generation of personal and community pride and the breaking of self-imposed and cultural barriers, were embedded into the new program's structure. The presentation of the program's new structure to CABA's board of directors was made successfully, late 2014 and the first version of this structure was delivered during the summer of 2015. This program has improved with time, and of course, with the student's participation. The program as it stands was received overwhelmingly well by the community's leadership. The Board of Public Utilities was reported and pleased with the results. New leaders and professionals from the community expressed their interest in their participation as mentors. Program's Current State. During the year 2024, we hosted a total of 23 events during June and July, each event delivered in a specific area of human development. We had 15 students enroll in our program and a total of 47 mentors interacting with our students along each of the events. The students experienced self analysis, goal making, time management, learning how to use technology to gain knowledge, networking, family financials, business financials, government structure, government operations, chamber of commerce purpose, table etiquette, dress codes, job placement, public office, candidate vetting, public interviewing, public speaking, breaking ceilings, and many more trades. On the certification day, the students organize their own event, they have to write a report of their experience and present it to the community and the Public Board of Utilities.
- $5,769 spent. Dotteversity Parade: As CABA's longest-running community tradition, the Dotteversity Parade has celebrated the unique diversity and spirit of our community for nearly five decades. This family-friendly event features vibrant floats, marching bands, cultural performances, and community groups. The parade is a cornerstone of local identity, fostering unity and civic pride across generations. It creates an inclusive, celebratory atmosphere that strengthens community bonds. 9,000 attendees were drawn to the commercial corridor for this event. There were 47 parade floats and 45 vendor booths in the park.
- $2,884 spent. The Flavors of Central Tour: This curated culinary tour showcases the authentic and diverse Latino cuisine that has made Central Avenue a regional dining destination. The tour guides participants through a self-paced exploration of our corridor's unique restaurants, offering a taste of their most iconic dishes. The tour directly drives revenue to local restaurants and introduces them to a new, eager customer base. It builds culinary literacy and appreciation, positioning Central Avenue as an essential food Mecca. There were 23 participating restaurants along the Central Avenue corridor. There were 245 participants (187 ticketed guests + 58 invited community leaders). It mobilized 20 volunteers and generated significant online engagement with 378 unique website hits.
- $109,600 spent. Other program service accomplishments include Free Wheels for Kids, an Earth Day event, and a Cinco de Mayo Celebration.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since November 1978.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.
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