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Bluebird Cultural Initiative

EIN 81-3768917 · Omaha, NE

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood80 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

PROVIDE MEANINGFUL PROGRAMMING TO THE COMMUNITY THAT ENRICHES THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF THE HISTORY AND CULTURAL TRADITIONS OF NATIVE AMERICAN PEOPLES OF THE GREAT PLAINS. WE STRIVE TO REVITALIZE THE PAST THROUGH THE ARTS AND CULTURE IN ORDER TO ENERGIZE THE FUTURE FOR OUR YOUTH.

Income
$495,819
Spending
$408,332
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
3.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 87%
Employees
4
Volunteers
10
Highest pay
$60,000, executive dir.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 80 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 18% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 25

    8 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

    6 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 December 31, 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 (3)
  1. $229,314 spent. OUR TEAM ENGAGES YOUTH IN CULTURAL PROGRAMMING THAT CONNECTS THEM WITH THE NATIVE COMMUNITY AND NATIVE AMERICAN CULTURE. DURING THE ACADEMIC CALENDAR YEAR, WE PROVIDE WEEKLY AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMMING FOCUSED ON CULTURALLY APPROPRIATE TRADITIONAL ARTS AND VALUES, EMPOWERMENT, LEADERSHIP, AND HOLISTIC HEALTH TO HIGH-RISK YOUTH, THEIR PEERS, AND THEIR FAMILIAL SUPPORT SYSTEMS. DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS, WE PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR CULTURAL CAMPS, WORKSHOPS, AND COMMUNITY GATHERINGS TO STRENGTHEN THEIR CULTURAL IDENTITY.
  2. $92,125 spent. OUR TEAM WORKS WITH ORGANIZATIONS AND BUSINESSES TO DEVELOP A WORKPLACE CULTURE THAT IS CULTURALLY CONSIDERATE TO ALL POPULATIONS. GROUP TRAINING, WORKSHOPS, AND A SENSITIVITY SCAN ARE AVAILABLE FOR YOUR PROMOTIONAL ITEMS SUCH AS WEBSITES, BROCHURES, AND PRINT MEDIA.
  3. $110 spent. LECTURES TO GROUPS AT SCHOOLS, MUSEUMS, AND CORPORATIONS. TOPICS INCLUDE: THE FOUR TRIBES OF NEBRASKA, TRADITIONAL NATIVE GAMES, ARTIFACT CONSERVATION AND PRESERVATION, LAKOTA STAR KNOWLEDGE, WINTER COUNTS, AND OTHER TOPICS RELATED TO THE HISTORY, CULTURE, AND ART OF THE PLAINS INDIANS. TOPICS CAN BE TAILORED TO YOUR INTERESTS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 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 December 2024.

    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 December 2016.

    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.