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Downtown Aurora Visual Arts

EIN 84-1234219 · Aurora, CO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair64 out of 100GovernanceGood75 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO ENGAGE DIVERSE YOUTH IN MEANINGFUL ARTS EDUCATION THAT SPARKS CREATIVITY, INCREASES OPPORTUNITY & STRENGTHENS COMMUNITY.

Income
$695,220
Spending
$790,949
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
1.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 66%
Employees
12
Highest pay
$32,729, executive di

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: 64 out of 100. Higher than 33% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 14% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 29% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    83% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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: 75 out of 100. Higher than 52% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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 (5)
  1. $655,791 spent. FAMILY ARTS SERVES CHILDREN (AGES 3-6) AND PARENTS/GUARDIANS DURING FREE PROGRAMMING DESIGNED TO INCREASE SCHOOL READINESS, CREATIVITY, AND MOTOR SKILLS. THE FAMILY ARTS PROGRAM REINFORCES THE MESSAGE THAT FAMILIES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF COMMUNITY CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT, ASSURING THAT KIDS OF ALL AGES HAVE ACCESS TO QUALITY ARTS ACTIVITIES.
  2. THE OPEN STUDIO PROGRAM IS THE MAIN POINT OF ENTRY FOR YOUNG ARTISTS AT DAVA. OPEN STUDIO IS A DROP-IN PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS AFTER SCHOOL, MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY. PARTICIPANTS (AGES 6-14) CHOOSE FROM A VARIETY OF ARTS PROJECTS, INCLUDING CERAMICS, DRAWING, PAINTING, SCULPTURES, COLLAGE, AND MIXED MEDIA PROJECTS.
  3. JOB TRAINING IN THE ARTS & TECHNOLOGY (JT) PROGRAMS INCLUDE STUDIO AND COMPUTER ART LAB ARTS SESSIONS FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL YOUTH. JT ADDRESSES KEY DEVELOPMENTAL YEARS BETWEEN THE AGES OF 11-14 THROUGH ADVANCED ARTS LEARNING AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT.
  4. CREATIVE ACTION BY TEENS FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS BOOSTS ADVANCED SKILL- BUILDING FOR COLLEGE AND CAREERS THROUGH DESIGN PROJECTS WITH REAL WORLD "CLIENTS- AND PARTNERS. TEENS GET TO WORK WITH SPECIALIZED GUEST ARTISTS AND NEW TECHNOLOGY. DAVAS TRAVELING ART SCHOOL (TAS) SEEKS TO EXTEND ARTS LEARNING TO A WIDE POPULATION OF RESIDENTS, ESPECIALLY THOSE WITH LITTLE OR NO ACCESS TO THE ARTS. DAVAS TRAVELING PROGRAM BRINGS QUALITY ART EXPERIENCES TO LOCAL SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, COMPLETE WITH ART SUPPLIES AND PROFESSIONALLY TRAINED ART TEACHERS. PASCH IS A FEE-BASED PROGRAM WITH THE UNIQUE CAPABILITY TO TAILOR PROJECTS TO MEET THE INTERESTS, NEEDS, AND AGES OF ANY GROUP.
  5. CREATIVE ACTION BY TEENS FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS BOOSTS ADVANCED SKILL- BUILDING FOR COLLEGE AND CAREERS THROUGH DESIGN PROJECTS WITH REAL WORLD "CLIENTS- AND PARTNERS. TEENS GET TO WORK WITH SPECIALIZED GUEST ARTISTS AND NEW TECHNOLOGY. DAVAS TRAVELING ART SCHOOL (TAS) SEEKS TO EXTEND ARTS LEARNING TO A WIDE POPULATION OF RESIDENTS, ESPECIALLY THOSE WITH LITTLE OR NO ACCESS TO THE ARTS. DAVAS TRAVELING PROGRAM BRINGS QUALITY ART EXPERIENCES TO LOCAL SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, COMPLETE WITH ART SUPPLIES AND PROFESSIONALLY TRAINED ART TEACHERS. PASCH IS A FEE-BASED PROGRAM WITH THE UNIQUE CAPABILITY TO TAILOR PROJECTS TO MEET THE INTERESTS, NEEDS, AND AGES OF ANY GROUP.

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 October 13, 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 November 6, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since December 1993.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 November 4, 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.