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Center

EIN 85-0428041 · Santa Fe, NM

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

CENTER SANTA FE (CENTER), FOUNDED IN 1994, IS A 501(C)3 NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT SUPPORTS SOCIALLY AND ENVIRONMENTALLY ENGAGED LENS-BASED PROJECTS WITH EDUCATION, PLATFORMS, FUNDING, AND PARTNERSHIPS. THROUGH OUR ADVANCEMENT OF ARTISTS AND THEIR WORK, CENTER SERVES TO DEEPEN PUBLIC UNDERSTANDINGS OF LENS-BASED MEDIA'S HISTORY AND ONGOING CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE. BY ESTABLISHING PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN ARTISTS, SCHOLARS, STUDENTS, EDITORS, AND THE ART WORLD, WE ADVANCE PROJECTS THAT RESPECT ALL PEOPLE, OPEN MINDS, AND ENGAGE OUR SHARED HUMANITY. THE ANNUAL PROGRAMS INCLUDE REVIEW SANTA FE PHOTO SYMPOSIUM, PROJECT LAUNCH GRANT, THE PROJECT DEVELOPMENT GRANT, THE CHOICE AWARDS, CALLANAN EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING AWARD, PROJECT LAB MENTORSHIPS, THE DEMOCRATIC LENS: PHOTOGRAPHY & CIVIC ENGAGEMENT DISCUSSION SERIES, AND CENTER MEMBERSHIP.

Income
$557,544
Spending
$486,946
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
6.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 55%
Employees
3
Volunteers
18
Highest pay
$112,328, 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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 78% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.5 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 13% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 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

Strong: 91 out of 100. Higher than 79% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 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

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (4)
  1. $46,974 spent. ARTIST SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM - CENTER SERVED AS A SPONSOR FOR VISUAL STORYTELLERS AND PROJECT BASED INITIATIVES. ATTORNEY AND VISUAL STORYTELLER DEBBIE ESPINOSA'S PROJECT "LIVING WITH CONVICTION" LEVERAGED LEGAL EMPOWERMENT TO ADVOCATE FOR AN END TO COURT IMPOSED DEBT FOR THE FORMERLY INCARCERATED. KURT MARKUS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM OFFERED A HANDS ON WORKSHOP AND TRAVEL EXPENSES TO THE PHOTOGRAPHER.
  2. $92,172 spent. REVIEW SANTA FE PHOTO SYMPOSIUM IS A CONFERENCE THAT BRINGS TOGETHER PHOTOGRAPHERS & INDUSTRY LEADERS FOR A WEEKEND OF PORTFOLIO REVIEWS, NETWORKING, CAREER ADVANCEMENT, AND CREATIVE INSPIRATION. THE EVENT CONSISTS OF APPROXIMATELY 1,000 PORTFOLIO REVIEWS WITH ESTEEMED CURATORS, PUBLISHERS, GALLERY DIRECTORS AND EDITORS FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY, AS A RESULT OF THESE SESSIONS PHOTOGRAPHERS HAVE RECEIVED EXHIBITIONS, PUBLICATION AND MANY MORE PROFESSIONAL OPPORTUNITIES. OVER 70,000.00 IN SCHOLARSHIP HAVE BEEN AWARDED SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN 2001. NUMBER OF PEOPLE BENEFITED: 96 PHOTOGRAPHERS & 45 REVIEWERS. NUMBER OF VISITORS TO THE OPEN PORTFOLIO WALK: 1,160.
  3. $7,664 spent. THE CENTER AWARDS HIGHLIGHT OUTSTANDING PHOTOGRAPHIC PROJECTS WORKING IN ALL PROCESSES IN SEVERAL CATEGORIES. THE ENVIRONMENTAL AWARD, SOCIAL AWARD, PERSONAL AWARD AND MULTIMEDIA AWARD PACKAGES INCLUDE PUBLICATION, PRESENTATION, EXHIBITION, AND MENTORSHIP. THE PROJECT GRANTS INCLUDE 5,000 AND A PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PACKAGE. AN OUTSIDE INDEPENDENT JURY SELECTS THE RECIPIENTS FOR EACH CATEGORY EACH YEAR. NUMBER OF PEOPLE DIRECLTY BENEFITTING: 7 PHOTOGRAPHERS. NUMBER OF EXHIBITION ATTENDEES: 13,000 VISITORS.
  4. $252,689 spent. OTHER SPONORSHIP PROGRAMS

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 October 1995.

    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.