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Colorado Springs Community Ventures Inc

EIN 84-1418850 · Colorado Spgs, CO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Colorado Springs Community Ventures is dedicated to enlivening Downtown Colorado Springs through the arts, historic preservation, special events, and other public benefit programs.

Income
$1.1 million
Spending
$674,569
Spent on programs
93%
Reserves
18.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 54%
Employees
0
Volunteers
56
Highest pay
$145,316, current ceo (as of june 2025)

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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 89% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 18.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 40% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 185% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    93% 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 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

    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, 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 (4)
  1. $366,377 spent. "Clean and Safe" - The purpose of Clean & Safe is to implement a 19-month pilot program designed to enhance the Downtown Colorado Springs experience for businesses, residents, and visitors by creating a clean, safe, and welcoming environment. Through a coordinated, data-driven, and human-centered approach, the program will address growing concerns around public safety, homelessness, and cleanliness in the Greater Downtown area. By fostering a more vibrant and inviting urban core and assuring positive experiences, this initiative will encourage repeat visits, private investment, and boost economic activity supporting local businesses, and generating a lasting positive economic impact for the City of Colorado Springs and Pikes Peak region as a whole.
  2. $172,954 spent. "Creative District" - The Cultural Corridor, which shines a spotlight on the diverse contributors to Colorado Springs' history, hung a total of 378 banners throughout the year. Six Downtown small businesses received state funds and technical support to aid in overcoming destabilization pressures and bolster their business operations. Downtown Ventures served as fiscal sponsor for the program; the award totaling $182,000 is part of the Community Business Preservation Program of the Office of Economic Development & International Trade.
  3. $77,284 spent. 'Art on the Streets' (AOTS) - The 27th annual Art on the Streets exhibit featured seven sculptures and four murals and one mural/sculpture installation, with six of the artists hailing from Colorado. Just over 4,092 square feet of Downtown walls were transformed by murals in 2025, including a 100-ft-long mural on Tejon Street.
  4. $7,782 spent. 'Skate in the Park' - The 2025-2026 season of Skate in the Park, offered in partnership with the City of Colorado Springs Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services, continued a beloved tradition. Public skate rentals numbered over 17,500 admissions to the rink, plus private rentals and spectators November through January. A few notable media pieces include: KRDO, Skate in the Park returns to Colorado Springs, ringing in the holiday season for a 13th year and KOAA, Skate in the Park returns to Colorado Springs.

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

  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 October 13, 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 2025.

    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 November 1997.

    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 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.