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Black Cultural Zone Community Development Corporation

EIN 84-3885205 · Oakland, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong96 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF THE BLACK CULTURAL ZONE CDC IS TO UNAPOLOGETICALLY CENTER BLACK ARTS, CULTURE, AND ECONOMICS AS WE COLLECTIVELY DESIGN, RESOURCE, TRANSFORM, AND BUILD COLLECTIVE POWER FOR OUR COMMUNITIES.

Income
$20.1 million
Spending
$9.1 million
Spent on programs
71%
Reserves
19.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 95%
Employees
128
Volunteers
18
Highest pay
$299,640, ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 96 out of 100. Higher than 92% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 19.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 22% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 55% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 101% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    71% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 42% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 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 June 30, 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. $2.9 million spent. NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES FOCUSES ON CREATING SECURE, HIGH-VIBRANCY ENVIRONMENTS WITHIN OUR COMMERCIAL HUBS. THIS INCLUDES THE DEPLOYMENT OF SAFETY CORRIDOR AMBASSADORS TO OVERSEE COMMUNITY WELL-BEING AND THE STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT OF BLACK-LED COMMERCIAL AND CULTURAL AMENITIES DESIGNED TO CELEBRATE AND SUSTAIN THE LOCAL ECOSYSTEM. OUR COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE PORTFOLIO SPANS THE FULL DEVELOPMENT LIFECYCLE FROM THE GROUND-UP CONSTRUCTION OF VIBRANT MARKET HALLS AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING TO THE STRATEGIC ACQUISITION AND RENOVATION OF RETAIL AND MIXED-USE SPACES ALONG OUR MOST VITAL COMMERCIAL CORRIDORS. THESE HUBS SERVE AS THE HEARTBEAT OF OUR STRATEGY TO SECURE PERMANENT SPACE FOR OUR COMMUNITY. WE PROVIDE A SANCTUARY FOR COLLECTIVE GROWTH, WHERE RESIDENTS, BUSINESS OWNERS, ARTISTS, AND MAKERS CAN PLANT ROOTS AND FLOURISH TOGETHER.
  2. $2.1 million spent. OUR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT WORK INCLUDES COMMUNICATION AND OUTREACH CAMPAIGNS FOCUSED ON NEIGHBORHOOD MESSENGERS, AS WELL AS LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT FOR OUR TEAM, COMMUNITY, AND AMBASSADOR NETWORK. ADDITIONALLY, WE LEAD RAPID RESPONSE EFFORTS CENTERED ON HEALTH AND WELLNESS INITIATIVES.
  3. $764,141 spent. AT THE CORE OF OUR INITIATIVES IS A DEEP-ROOTED ECOSYSTEM OF PARTNERSHIPS. WE UNITE WITH COMMUNITY LEADERS AND ORGANIZATIONS TO FORM A STRATEGIC FRONT AGAINST DISPLACEMENT. TOGETHER, WE USE ART AND CULTURE AS OUR NORTH STAR, BUILDING COLLECTIVE POWER TO HOLD SPACE FOR OUR PEOPLE AND OUR HISTORY.
  4. $730,733 spent. OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INCLUDES OUR CULTURAL MARKET POP-UPS, CENTERING OUR AKOMA MARKET VENDORS; TAKING THEM ON THE ROAD; OUR INCUBATOR; AND VIRTUAL MARKET INCLUDING CUSTOM BOXES AND A VIRTUAL LOOK BOOK. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ALSO INCLUDES BUSINESS COUNSELING AND CAREER/WORKFORCE NAVIGATION AND SUPPORT.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 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 June 2025.

    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 April 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.