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Aurora Photocenter Inc

EIN 84-2001119 · Indianapolis, IN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong90 out of 100GovernanceNot ratedThe short tax form does not cover thisImpact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

AURORA PHOTOCENTER'S MISSION IS TO SUPPORT VISUAL ARTISTS WORKING IN PHOTOGRAPHY THROUGH EXHIBITIONS, RESIDENCIES, WORKSHOPS, VISITING ARTIST TALKS, AND ACCESS TO CREATIVE TOOLS. AS THE ONLY NONPROFIT IN INDIANA DEVOTED EXCLUSIVELY TO PHOTOGRAPHY, AURORA IS AN ESSENTIAL HUB FOR THE MEDIUM IN OUR ARTS COMMUNITY. AURORA ALSO SERVES AS A BRIDGE BETWEEN LOCAL ARTISTS AND THE GREATER PHOTOGRAPHIC COMMUNITY, WITH A REGIONAL, NATIONAL, AND INTERNATIONAL SCOPE. AURORA IS PASSIONATE ABOUT PHOTOGRAPHY'S EMOTIONAL AND SOCIAL POWER AS AN ART MEDIUM IN ITS OWN RIGHT.

Income
$104,460
Spending
$98,289
Reserves
9.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 78%

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 73% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 9.2 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 6% of income.

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.

Source: Form 990EZ 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. $10,438 spent. AURORA'S EXHIBITIONS HIGHLIGHT EMERGING WORK BY LOCAL ARTISTS AND FOSTER NEW IDEAS, INSPIRATION, AND CONNECTIONS TO OUR ARTS COMMUNITY BY FEATURING THE WORK OF INTERNATIONALLY EXHIBITING, AWARD WINNING PHOTOGRAPHERS. AURORA HELD 12 EXHIBITIONS IN 2025; THE EXHIBITIONS WERE VIEWED BY OVER 6,000 PEOPLE.
  2. $4,160 spent. AURORA'S WORKSHOPS INTRODUCE ARTISTS TO NEW SKILLS AND WAYS OF WORKING, PROVIDING ACCESS TO EVER-CHANGING TECHNOLOGY IN A COLLABORATIVE ENVIRONMENT. AURORA HELD OVER 35 WORKSHOPS IN 2025; THE WORKSHOPS SERVED OVER 150 ARTISTS.
  3. $10,000 spent. AURORA'S RESIDENCIES OFFER INVALUABLE OPPORTUNITIES FOR ARTISTIC DEVELOPMENT AND EXCHANGE AND HIGHLIGHT OUR INDIANAPOLIS ARTS COMMUNITY AS A CENTER OF CREATIVE PRODUCTION. AURORA HOSTED 6 RESIDENTS IN 2025.
  4. $73,691 spent. AURORA'S PUBLIC-ACCESS DARKROOM AND DIGITAL IMAGING AREA OFFER ACCESS TO CREATIVE TOOLS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF IMAGES FROM CAMERA TO PRINT.AURORA'S VISITING ARTIST TALKS KEEP LOCAL ARTISTS CONNECTED TO THE CURRENT DIALOG ON PHOTOGRAPHY BEYOND OUR COMMUNITY.

Source: Form 990EZ 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 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 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 May 2020.

    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.