White Hall Arts Academy Foundation
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
White Hall Arts Academy Foundations mission is to use the power of the arts to educate empower and encourage low income communities. We strive to bridge the gap between mental health social emotional learning arts development and creative expression by providing educational arts and creative workforce development programs to youth and young adults with the end goal of producing quality live and digital productions. Through our work we aim to foster a greater understanding and appreciation of the arts and their ability to inspire heal and bring people together.
- Income
- $890,097
- Spending
- $831,838
- Spent on programs
- 88%
- Reserves
- 0.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 51%
- Employees
- 51
- Volunteers
- 30
- Highest pay
- $21,600, executive 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
Fair: 54 out of 100. Higher than 22% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
4 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 0.4 months of spending.
Debt
5 of 20It owes 74% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 7% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 159% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1588% 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
Fair: 56 out of 100. Higher than 24% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
5 of 250 of 11 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
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 (7)
- $65,296 spent. Saturday Session Program is designed for children ages 4-17. This program offers piano guitar singing music production drums acting and dance classes. Saturday Sessions provides relevant culturally responsive arts programming and our music production curriculum provides students the opportunity to engage with music in a non-traditional way that encourages individual student creativity and autonomy. At the culmination of each program students participate in public showcases which provide them with precious performance experiences to display the diverse talents and skills they acquire while in the program. Classes take place at WHAA on Saturdays from 10am - 2pm. There is a 4-week Winter session during the month of February an 8-week Spring from mid-March through mid-May a 4-week Summer session during the month of July and an 8-week Fall session from mid-September through mid-November. These programs foster creative abilities of youth through culturally and linguistically responsive arts learning.
- $483,425 spent. Soundworks is a workforce development program created by White Hall Arts Academy that trains justice-affected and transitional aged foster youth in sound engineering lighting design and video production then provides apprenticeship opportunities within the entertainment industry. Providing 200 hours of intensive hands-on training in state-of-the-art facilities with active industry professionals followed by on-the-job training hours Soundworks aims to equip vulnerable youth with valuable technical skills and work experience in the live entertainment industry preparing them to have family sustaining careers in the creative economy.
- $61,373 spent. AMP Arts Music Power is an onsite program designed to inspire and involve youth with little or no experience and minimal access to onsite instruments. This program provides guitar vocal and music production instruction at educational and educational support centers throughout South Los Angeles and neighboring cities. Sites include Crete Academy Watts Learning Center Birdie V. Lee Bright Elementary School Learning By Design Charter in South LA and Bridges Preparatory Academy in Compton. In the past at Bethune Middle School Al Wooten Youth Center and Urban Scholar Academy in South LA and Lifeline Educational Charter in Compton CA.
- $15,000 spent. My First Job is WHAAs youth workforce development program that provides a cohort of youth ages 1421 from South LA with critical early work experience in a supportive arts-centered environment. Since 2015 the program offers first-time job opportunities as office assistants teaching aides media creators and event staffroles that help participants build workplace skills self-confidence and financial literacy. Alongside hands-on training youth receive mentorship and guidance in resume writing interview preparation and professional behavior preparing them for future employment. Providing youth with their first paycheck is a transformational step toward independence self-worth and long-term success.
- $20,121 spent. Music Creators Camp is free immersive program is designed for South LA youth ages 917 who are passionate about music creativity and real-world experience in the industry. This week-long program hosted by Keith Harris Grammy Award winning Musical Director for the Black Eyed Peas and The Backstreet Boys is designed to connect young creatives with hands- on mentorship real-world music experiences and personal encouragement from artists whove walked the path they dream of. In addition to exclusive sessions at The Apple Store at The Grove in partnership with Today at Apple students also visit the legendary places like Universal Music Group Recording Studios an unforgettable opportunity for them to step into the spaces where greatness is made.
- $63,350 spent. Rock The Block: Rock The Block is White Hall Arts Academys annual community wellness festival that brings together over 3,000 attendees for a day of music empowerment and connection in the heart of South Los Angeles. This free family-friendly event features live performances health and wellness services youth activities and panel discussions centered on community wellbeing and economic empowerment. Rock The Block is presented in partnership with the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs LADWP LAPD Park Mesa Heights Neighborhood Council LA Metro Alliance Public Schools and LA City Council District 8. More than just a celebration Rock The Block is a reflection of our commitment to building stronger healthier and more vibrant communities through the arts.
- $27,110 spent. Music Lesson Scholarships: Every year we provide over $20,000 of scholarships for free private music lessons to support individuals living below the poverty threshold and children affected by foster care.
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 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 2025.
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 2018.
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.