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Esperanza Peace and Justice Center

EIN 74-2419582 · San Antonio, TX

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood80 out of 100GovernanceFair53 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

To preserve and promote cultural expression, history and viewpoints that have been traditionally excluded from mainstream society, providing for cultural grounding and understanding among and across diverse communities as a basis for social change.

Income
$1.9 million
Spending
$2.6 million
Spent on programs
95%
Reserves
28.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 57%
Employees
0
Highest pay
$138,731, executive director

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

Financial health

Good: 80 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 28.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 33% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 0% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    95% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 cents.

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

Governance

Fair: 53 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 9 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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, 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. PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS & EVENTS: ESPERANZA SPONSORED & ORGANIZED A SERIES OF ARTISTIC EVENTS & WORKSHOPS PROMOTING VALUES OF GRASSROOTS PARTICIPATION, CULTURAL DIVERSITY, & SOCIAL JUSTICE, INCLUDING THE ORAL HISTORY COLLECTION AND PHOTO ARCHIVING IN THE WESTSIDE OF SAN ANTONIO, FILM & VIDEO FESTIVALS, CONCERTS, LITERARY READINGS, DRAMA & POETRY PERFORMANCES, VISUAL ART EXHIBITIONS, & PUBLIC DISCUSSION PANELS.
  2. LA VOZ DE ESPERANZA: ESPERANZA PUBLISHED A MONTHLY NEWS JOURNAL ADDRESSING CULTURAL, PEACE & SOCIAL JUSTICE ISSUES, AS WELL AS UPDATING READERS ON ORGANIZATIONAL & COMMUNITY EVENTS. AVERAGE CIRCULATION WAS 10500 COPIES MONTHLY DISTRIBUTED NATIONALLY AND LOCALLY BY MAIL AND AT OUTLETS AROUND SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS
  3. MUJER ARTES: AN ON-GOING COOPERATIVE STUDIO ART PROGRAM IN POTTERY FOR WOMEN, ESPECIALLY LOW-INCOME WOMEN OF COLOR, LEARNING CULTURAL HISTORY, CLAY PRODUCTION SKILLS, PAINTING & DRAWING SKILLS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SKILLS, & COMMUNAL DYNAMICS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 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 November 6, 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 2025.

    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 October 1986.

    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 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.