Chitresh Das Institute
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The mission of Chitresh Das Institute is to expand awareness of and increase audiences for the Indian classical kathak tradition and other related cultural and artistic traditions by building community, training the next generation of artists and presenting performances.
- Income
- $458,852
- Spending
- $551,469
- Spent on programs
- 62%
- Reserves
- 2.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 84%
- Employees
- 10
- Volunteers
- 50
- Highest pay
- $91,724, president & ceo
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
Weak: 49 out of 100. Higher than 17% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 2.4 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 25% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 20% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 18% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1562% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 25 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
Strong: 91 out of 100. Higher than 79% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 254 of 7 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a 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
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or 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 (3)
- $343,271 spent. Chitresh Das Institute has four main programs: 1. Chitresh Das Institute classes are led by teachers who were trained by the great kathak master, Pandit Chitresh Das. CDI teachers are committed to nurturing the whole student, mind, body and spirit, through the art of kathak dance.2. Presenting world class performances of traditional and innovative Indian classical dance and music as well as cross-cultural and cross-genre collaborations. 3. Pandit Chitresh Das founded a youth company with Charlotte Moraga as the Director in 2002. The Chitresh Das Youth Company (CDYC) was formed to provide youth with the opportunity to study directly under this great master. Charlotte Moraga, who
- directed the Youth Company for over a decade under Pandit Das, continues to provide the intensive training and pre-professional performance experience. In addition to training in technique and theory, members learn history, philosophy, mathematics and spirituality that form the foundation of kathak and the philosophy of Pandit Chitresh Das.4. The Next Generation Artists Development program will provide selected artists with:A. Intensive, transformative training in kathak dance technique, movement, theory, upaj (improvisation) and performanceB. Exposure to master artists in related forms (percussion, vocal and others)
- C. Guidance in navigating the artist pathD. Performance opportunities to hone ones craft, develop an artistic voice and build community supportE. Provide next generation artists with funding to create and present original works
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 October 2017.
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.