Urban-15 Group
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
URBAN-15. We cultivate talent, inspire imagination, and bring joy to our community through Music, Movement, and Media.Our programs create:* Art that merges Traditional Latino Culture, Contemporary Aesthetics and Creative Technologies* Educational programs that develop skills and imagination, * Life-long participation in artistic exploration for both artists and the community.We are transforming our community through a philosophy of inclusion that breaks prejudicial barriers of size, age, gender, class, religion, ethnicity, race; targeting economic and social disparity; Revolutionizing access to Music, Movement, Media.
- Income
- $772,902
- Spending
- $647,488
- Spent on programs
- 91%
- Reserves
- 4.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 48%
- Employees
- 3
- Volunteers
- 45
- Highest pay
- $42,942, music & media director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 76 out of 100.
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 4.5 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 18% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 16% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 4% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1591% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Weak: 46 out of 100.
Independent board
25 of 2510 of 10 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no 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
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
0 of 10Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 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)
- $587,981 spent. URBAN-15s CENTER FOR CREATIVE ARTSIn 2003, URBAN-15 purchased a property at 2500 S. Presa. This site consists of a three-building, 22,777 sq. ft. Complex that includes a red brick church, a two-story dormitory, and a one-story structure with an enclosed garden. This is now the permanent home of the URBAN-15 Group, as it transforms the campus into the Center for Celebration Arts, to include a 100-seat auditorium a rehearsal, studio spaces, classrooms and internet broadcast studio as well as a licensed industrial kitchen. With its diversity of programs and projects, URBAN-15 remains committed to a broad vision of arts creation and mentoring into the future. Some of these ongoing programs and projects include:CARNAVAL DE SAN ANTO: Now in its 41th year, CDSA is our multi-generational, award winning drum and dance ensemble. With dancers and musicians of all ages, all sizes, and all abilities, CDSA has revolutionized community access to music and dance. Their major performances include Fiesta Parades. UTOPIAN PERFORMANCE ENSEMBLE: The touring wing of CDSA, often used as cultural ambassadors for our beautiful city. This ensemble officially represented San Antonio at the presidential inaugurations of Obama, Bush, and Clinton; on tours of Mexico via the US State Department and in the annual Carnaval de los Muertos Procession. The audiences of their performances number in the millions through live and television appearances. THE CULTIVATION PROJECT: YOUTH: A free, year-round Music, Media, and Movement program with artists in the schools, events in our studio and major citywide concerts. Programs include the annual.Holiday Laser Show, which has served over 7,000 children from schools and community centers in and around San Antonio. Josiah Youth Media Festival celebrating its 17th year as one of the longest running international youth media festivals. Good things happen when good seeds are planted. We are planting seeds that cultivate the quality of life.INTERNET STREAMING VIDEO LAB: A real-time internet video streaming studio for broadcasting performances and classes. Free in U-15 Studio with live audience and Internet Live Streamed Broadcast. Productions include theHidden Histories an eMagazine web series that preserves the untold stories, which make San Antonio a cultural treasure highlighting the rich heritage of the past 300 years of its existence and provide a vision for the future MEDIA FESTIVALS AND WORKSHOPS: Screenings of local to international media productions, including the annual Manhattan Short Film Festival, as well as workshops which provide professional and community technical assistance.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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 2025.
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 May 1987.
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.
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.