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Hakawati

EIN 83-1664484 · Tarzana, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood82 out of 100GovernanceFair65 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES AN EMPOWERING PLATFORM THAT FACILITATES THE CREATIVE TALENT OF REFUGEES AND MARGINALIZED PEOPLE THROUGH DEVELOPMENT LABS IN FILM, THEATER, AND OTHER STORYTELLING MODALITIES, ALONG WITH CREATING INDIGENOUS THEATER AND FILM PRODUCTIONS. HAKAWATI WORKS WITH, AND EMPLOYS PEOPLE FROM WITHIN THESE LOCAL COMMUNITIES WHENEVER POSSIBLE TO TELL STORIES BY PEOPLE FROM THE PLACES AND SPACES WHERE THE STORY ORIGINATES. THE ORGANIZATION WORKS TO PRESERVE CULTURES UNDER THREAT, MENTOR ARTISTS IN FRONTLINE COMMUNITIES, AND SUPPORT REFUGEE STORYTELLING WITHIN DISPLACED COMMUNITIES.

Income
$163,514
Spending
$125,441
Reserves
3.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
0
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$2,840, president

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: 82 out of 100. Higher than 63% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.7 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 23% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 198% on the year before.

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

Governance

Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    0 of 25

    1 of 1 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 (1)
  1. $125,441 spent. HAKAWATI NGO INTEGRATES THE WORK OF PROFESSIONAL ARTISTS, RENOWNED SPIRITUAL TEACHERS, INNOVATORS, SCIENTISTS, AND THERAPISTS WITH A COMMITMENT TO TRANSFORM TRAUMA THROUGH AUTHENTIC STORYTELLING. HAKAWATI IS A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT ACCEPTS DONATIONS GLOBALLY. USA DONORS CAN MAKE USE OF ITS 501(C)(3) TAX EXEMPT STATUS (EIN #83-1664484). HAKAWATI USA IS A 501(C)(3), A REGISTERED NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION SINCE 2018. HAKAWATI ARMENIA IS A NEWLY REGISTERED NGO SINCE 2024.

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 January 2020.

    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.