Early Era Collective
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Early Era Collective's mission is to present multiform art featuring diverse perspectives for diverse audiences. In one of our nation's most segregated cities, we aim to bring Austinites together across the physical divide of I-35 with high quality, accessible, inclusive art.
- Income
- $169,760
- Spending
- $164,266
- Spent on programs
- 82%
- Reserves
- 0.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 80%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 25
- Highest pay
- $36,734, artistic 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: 69 out of 100. Higher than 39% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).
Reserves
4 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 0.5 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 4% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 3% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 142% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1582% 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: 51 out of 100. Higher than 37% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).
Independent board
18 of 254 of 4 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no 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
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
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 (5)
- $56,180 spent. This February, Early Era Collective celebrates Black History Month with "Say That Again," a dynamic production blending street and contemporary dance, spoken word, and live hip-hop! Join us where movement, rhythm, and words come together to tell bold, unapologetic stories of culture, identity, and community. Co-produced by Stephanie Patrick and Daniel Broxton, this high-energy show builds off of our 2024 hit "Say That!" by diving deeper into hip-hop music, culture, and unity. Featuring a talented cast of 26 local artists, the production concludes with our beloved all-styles community freestyle-an unforgettable participatory experience. The Austin community was invited to come watch - and dance with us! - at the Dougherty Arts Center from February 20-21 and February 27-March 1, 2025, at 8:00p.m. for this unique, transformative production that is as much a celebration as it is a conversation. This project was supported, in part, by the City of Austin Economic Development Department and the Artist Access Program.
- $52,277 spent. Early Era Collective's "Gently, She Wakes" was staged in October, 2025, at KMFA Studio. It is a journey of reclamation and femininity told through movement. Created by EEC in collaboration with The SAFE Alliance, this evening-length narrative dance piece unfolds through Contemporary and Heels dance, storytelling, and stage combat. Through Artistic Director Stephanie Patrick's vision and choreography, nine multiform dancers twist, turn, and explode through dynamic movement, touching on pain, hope and even humor. Collaborators Lisa de Rosario, Wyntergrace Williams, and Jeffery Da'Shade Johnson deepened our story with eye-catching, heartpumping and intricate choreography. Woven with rich costumes and music spanning multiple genres and decades, Gently, She Wakes is a visual indulgence that questions today's gender norms and social dynamics, answered by empowerment, belonging, and the human spirit. Gently was supported in part by the City of Austin Economic Development Department, East Side Performing Arts, and Beverly Bajema.
- $15,072 spent. "Embolden Workshop" was a training and workshop designed to help Central Texas performance artists gain the business skills necessary to promote successful arts programs and careers, prevent burnout, and build community. Originally started in 2021 by Early Era Collective with support from Salvage Vanguard Theater and Ground Floor Theatre, the 2025 workshop expanded to a weekend full of professional development, performance opportunities and networking. Events included Matching Talent with Business, a panel and Q&A with some of Austin's most prestigious artists and arts professionals; Thought That Move, a live episode recording of six Austin-based artists discussing how race and art intersect in our city; Embolden Showcase, an open-mic style professional showcase for performers to use professional stage access and receive professional videography and photography; Tuning Your Instrument, a mindful movement class for artists who run their own business; and various networking activities to promote communication and community building.
- $10,941 spent. Additional programs included live performances at events produced by other sponsors, initial work on future programs, and community events and activities, such as EEC's Freestyle Sessions. Freestyles began in 2024 to unite all Austin dancers across style and level. Each session began with a Fundamentals workshop exploring a specific street style. The class is followed by a cypher, in which dancers solo improvisationally.
- Freestyle Sessions are community programs combining classes and open performance. Say That Again 2026 are initial expenditures for the 2026 production of Say That Again. Other performances included a performance for Austin Community College dance department students.
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 October 13, 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 March 2019.
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 October 21, 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.