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Passes our checks

Platteforum

EIN 71-0891869 · Denver, CO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair51 out of 100GovernanceGood87 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

USING THE ARTS AS A BRIDGE, WE CONNECT YOUTH AND ARTISTS WITH RESOURCES TO REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL.

Income
$402,312
Spending
$746,840
Spent on programs
70%
Reserves
3.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 57%
Employees
12
Volunteers
30
Highest pay
$59,930, executive di

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 51 out of 100. Higher than 19% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 16% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 86% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 55% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    70% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 20 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 87 out of 100. Higher than 75% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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

    12 of 15

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

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 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 (1)
  1. $525,968 spent. AT PLATTEFORUM, YOUTH AND PROFESSIONAL ARTISTS COLLABORATE ON LONG-TERM, ARTS-BASED PROJECTS THAT CENTER COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT. PARTICIPANTS EXPLORE THEMES RELEVANT TO THEIR LIVES AND COMMUNITIES WHILE WORKING IN A STRUCTURED, SUPPORTIVE, AND INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENT. PROGRAMS ARE SUPPORTED BY WRAP-AROUND SERVICES AND STIPENDS THAT REDUCE BARRIERS TO PARTICIPATION. THROUGH THESE PROGRAMS, YOUTH BUILD ACADEMIC, PROFESSIONAL, SOCIAL- EMOTIONAL, AND LEADERSHIP SKILLS. PROGRAM OUTCOMES INCLUDE INCREASED SENSE OF BELONGING, DEVELOPMENT OF CREATIVE AND CAREER-RELATED SKILLS, STRONGER CONNECTIONS TO COMMUNITY, AND GREATER CONFIDENCE AND SELF-EFFICACY AMONG YOUTH. ARTISTS EXPERIENCE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES AND BECOME MENTORS AND LEADERS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 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 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 August 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 2002.

    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.