Kiva Center
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The Kiva Center's mission is to build inner strength and compassion in youth through transformational nature-connection experiences.
- Income
- $351,466
- Spending
- $315,957
- Spent on programs
- 76%
- Reserves
- 1.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 56%
- Employees
- 15
- Volunteers
- 50
- Highest pay
- $59,750, treasurer
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
Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 28% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 1.8 months of spending.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 37% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 10% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 13% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1576% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 20 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
Good: 84 out of 100. Higher than 61% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 256 of 6 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
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
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, 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 (4)
- $158,992 spent. Home School Enrichment Program runs 4 days/week throughout the school year at a local local wilderness site. In 2024 it served 86 students ages 5-18, providing a total of 960 hours of nature-connection programming. Children learn hands-on ancestral skills, teamwork, social-emotional skills, and environmental stewardship. In 2024, 5 adult mentors were trained in community-centered, nature-based education. Additionally, 3 teenagers gained leadership skills and work experience through the growing Mentor In Training (MIT) Program.
- $58,695 spent. Eco-Explorers After-School and Summer Program: This after-school program is a primarily outdoors-based class focused on nature connection. It is funded by grants, and in 2024 it was provided for free to 54 students ages 5-11 at three underserved inner-city elementary schools in Denver. Two teengagers from the community worked as Mentors in Training in this program, gaining real-life leadership and work experience.
- $14,149 spent. Family Programs: Kiva Center's family programs include volunteer days on the land, guided trips with the Family Nature Club in Denver, and seasonal celebrations. These events feature culturally-relevant activities such as music and art in nature, land restoration, self-care for mothers, celebrating heritage, and sharing meals. In 2024, Kiva Center hosted four free family events that served approximately 172 people through these programs.
- $4,492 spent. School Enrichment Workshops: These programs integrate social emotional learning with art and nature-based education to build resilient communities. In 2024, Kiva Center partnered with two local schools to serve 78 children through this program. The children participated in such activities as circus in nature, and mindfulness-based art in the outdoors.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since February 2017.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.