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Capital Public Radio Inc

EIN 68-0223271 · Sacramento, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak14 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It owes more than it owns.
  • Only 48% of its spending went to programs.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

CAPITAL PUBLIC RADIO, INC.'S PURPOSE IS TO PROVIDE A TRUSTED SOURCE OF INFORMATION, MUSIC, ARTS, AND ENTERTAINMENT FOR CURIOUS AND THOUGHTFUL PEOPLE, IN AN EFFICIENT, SUSTAINABLE WAY, STRENGTHENING THE CIVIC AND CULTURAL LIFE OF THE COMMUNITY SERVED.

Income
$13.1 million
Spending
$14.7 million
Spent on programs
48%
Reserves
-12 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 80%
Employees
87
Volunteers
17
Highest pay
$433,400, director (thru 7/24)

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 14 out of 100. Higher than 0% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    0 of 20

    It owes 271% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 12% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 9% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    48% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 34% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 17 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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 June 30, 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 (3)
  1. $7.1 million spent. PROVIDED LISTENING AUDIENCE OF APPROXIMATELY 500,000 PER WEEK WITH NON-COMMERCIAL AND FINE ART RADIO PROGRAMMING INCLUDING NEWS, CLASSICAL AND JAZZ MUSIC.
  2. $8,840 spent. PARTIAL FUNDS PROVIDED BY THE SACRAMENTO METROPOLITAN CABLE TELEVISION COMMISSION TO GIVE SACRAMENTO COUNTY CABLE SUBSCRIBERS PUBLIC RADIO PROGRAMMING INCLUDING NON-COMMERCIAL NEWS, CLASSICAL AND JAZZ MUSIC.
  3. FUNDS PROVIDED BY CALIFORNIA HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION FOR THE SUPPORT HEALTH CARE COVERAGE 2025-2026 GRANT TO PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR HEALTH REPORTING AT CAPITAL PUBLIC RADIO ON HEALTH TOPICS WHICH ALIGN WITH CHCF'S ORGANIZATIONAL GOALS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 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 June 2025.

    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 November 1994.

    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.