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Austin Creative Alliance

EIN 74-2140348 · Austin, TX

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak36 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Raising each dollar of donations cost 66 cents.

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

What it says it does

The mission of Austin Creative Alliance is to advance, connect, and celebrate Austin's arts, culture, and creative communities in order to nourish and strengthen the character, quality of life, and economic prosperity of our region.

Income
$2.8 million
Spending
$2.5 million
Spent on programs
93%
Reserves
0.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 96%
Employees
504
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$30,000, ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 36 out of 100. Higher than 8% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 87% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 158% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    93% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 66 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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 September 30, 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 (1)
  1. $2.3 million spent. Program/Services/Accomplishments: Professional development seminars, community building events, public forums. ACA produces educational programming and teaches business & entrepreneurial skllls to the art and creative sectors in two tracks: (1) covering professional management and economic gain for individual artists for the nonprofit sector, and (2) covering professional management and economic gain for individual artists for the nonprofit sector. ACA hosts community relationship-building events with specialized themes to enhance business knowledge and collaboration within the communlty, as well as public forums to be held on topics of interest to the arts community. Fiscal sponsorship program & Arts Incubator for Emerging Artists and Groups: ACA offers project sponsorship to individuals and organizations that perform artistic and charitable services to the community. The program also offers expert advice and consultation regarding nonprofit best practices, marketing and raising funds. Over 150 organizations or individuals were sponsored through the program in FY 2019-2020. Actors' Equity Association Paymaster Services: ACA, working together with the New York, Chicago, Orlando, and Los Angeles offices, of Actor's Equity Association, provides services for producing organizations wishing to hire professional Equity actors for their productlon. Advocacy: ACA is committed to building strong, active, positive public awareness, engagement, and support for Austin's creative arts and cultural scene. ACA believes that art is an integral part of contemporary life and that a thriving creative sector means a healthier economy, a higher level of cultural sustainability. and a better standard of living for all. Annual Unified General Auditions: Each year, ACA hosts Annual Unified General Auditions, for local actors and auditors. This program provides actors an opportunity to be seen by professional directors, producers, and casting agents, and are instrumental for the region's theaters and filmmakers In the casting of their productions. NowPlayingAustin.com: The ACA Now Playing Austin website offers worldwide marketing for arts and culture activities In the city of Austin, providing artists and organizations the opportunity to gain audience reach and stimulate local tourism and the local economy. BAMATX: In response to the COVID pandemic, ACA initiated a new program to help connect fiscal supporters to Black Artists of all kinds to generate/sustain Black art and Black culture. ACAEAF: In response to the COVID pandemic, ACA initiated a new program to help bridge artists needs during this unprecedented time with supporters of various critical services in order to sustain Austin's art and culture to help ensure their presence post-pandemic.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 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 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 September 2024.

    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 February 1981.

    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.