Artesia Mainstreet Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Artesia MainStreet, Inc. was organized to encourage, foster and stimulate the preservation and economic development of historic downtown Artesia, NM.
- Income
- $794,624
- Spending
- $635,512
- Spent on programs
- 91%
- Reserves
- 110.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 70%
- Employees
- 2
- Volunteers
- 150
- Highest pay
- $29,830, executive manager
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 88% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 110.6 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 20% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 50% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1591% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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
Good: 86 out of 100. Higher than 69% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2520 of 20 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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)
- $83,270 spent. First Street Greenway-Construction & Maintenance: Eleven acres of land has been improved with approximately 500 trees and ornamental bushes and grass along north Highway 285. This main entry into Artesia, NM is paralleled by a railway line, a large industrial complex, a metal scrap yard and a housing development. In order to present a more positive first impression for visitors, Artesia MainStreet, Inc. has created a beautiful screen along this main thoroughfare to greet visitors and invite them into our town. Artesia MainStreet is responsible for maintenance of the grounds including the sprinkler system and replacement of landscape. Maintenance and repairs make up these expenses.
- $343,196 spent. Downtown Events: Artesia MainStreet holds various events in the downtown area to draw the community into the area to explore, shop and socialize. The 2025 events included the downtown Christmas and Halloween festivities, Red Dirt Black Gold concert, Oil Patch Market and a Car Show. Artesia MainStreet continued the Oil Patch Market, which is hosted at the Oil Patch Derrick Floor location. This market is a farmer's and maker's market that began in the early summer months through November 2025 on a monthly basis. There are also food vendors and local entertainment provided. In 2025 Red Dirt Black Gold celebrated their 10th annual event. In honor of this occasion Red Dirt Black Gold was a three day event this year, beginning on Thursday through Saturday. Each day had it's own theme: Thursday-New Mexico Heritage Night, Friday-Indie Folk Night and Saturday-official Red Dirt Black Gold Night featuring local and well-known and up-and-coming country music bands. For Halloween, during Trick or Treat MainStreet, the Main Street road is closed so that downtown businesses can hand out Halloween candy to hundreds of local children. During the Christmas season, Light Up Artesia is an electric light parade, tree lighting and downtown shopping event created to foster community and support economic development.
- $136,734 spent. Downtown Maintenance: Artesia, NM area has a population of approximately 15,000 citizens. The downtown area encompasses 40 city blocks and includes the Derrick Floor oilfield monument and the Oilpatch Plaza with its grounds and fountain. There are 4 additional bronze monuments in the downtown area that are part of the History in Bronze series: Sallie Chisum, known as the First Lady of Artesia, Trail Boss and the Vaquero, bringing to life the turn of the century cowboys of the Southwest and the Cattle Rustler, who may have been a contemporary of the famed Billy the Kid. All of the bronzes require periodic waxing and patina touch-ups and the brickwork and landscaping require upkeep. Artesia's Heritage Plaza and Walkway is a beautiful centerpiece in the Downtown District containing a 7-fountain river depicting the culture of our area, represented in handmade ceramic tiles. The walls of the Walkway holds a renovated historic mural depicting our history, the textured floor is an original mural and the entire area is shaded with decorative trees and provides seating areas to encourage visitors to stay and enjoy. Artesia MainStreet is also responsible for maintenance of the grounds surrounding the Artesia Public Library located in the Downtown District as well as the bronze sculpture located in the roundabout at its corner. AMS takes applications for inclusion on the Baish Veterans' Park Wall of Honor. An engraving fee is collected from each applicant. Once the application period is closed, the panel is removed and transported to have the new veterans' names and service information professionally engraved onto the panel. The panel is then transported back and re-installed. Maintenance, repairs, utilities and insurance make up these expenses.
- $13,264 spent. Facade Improvement: work done on a building on Main Street to improve the appearance and condition of the building.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since August 1998.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.
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