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Downtown Phoenix Inc

EIN 86-0673650 · Phoenix, AZ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO FACILITATE COLLABORATION, CULTIVATE CONNECTIONS, AND CONTRIBUTE TO THE GROWTH AND VITALITY OF OUR COMMUNITY. TO GENERATE PROGRESS ON ISSUES, WORK TOWARD SUSTAINABLE GROWTH, AND BUILD A STRONGER, MORE INCLUSIVE CITY CORE THAT GENERATES POSITIVE PERCEPTIONS, MEMORABLE EXPERIENCES, AND A SENSE OF PRIDE IN DOWNTOWN.

Income
$5.6 million
Spending
$5.1 million
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
3.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 84%
Employees
75
Volunteers
264
Highest pay
$242,387, president/ceo

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

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 53% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 46% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 51% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    20 of 20 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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, 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 (3)
  1. $3.2 million spent. STREETSCAPE AND URBAN DESIGN: TO MAINTAIN THE DISTRICTS LANDSCAPE AND PEDESTRIAN AMENITIES. COORDINATION TO CREATE PEDESTRIAN FRIENDLY EXPERIENCE AND A UNIQUE IDENTITY FOR DOWNTOWN PHOENIX. STREETSCAPE MAINTENANCE: INCLUDES TREE MAINTENANCE AND REPLACEMENT, MAINTENANCE OF THE IRRIGATION SYSTEM FROM THE GROUND UP.SPECIAL PROJECTS: ADVISORY GROUP REPRESENTING ALL DOWNTOWN INTEREST, PROVIDES STREET ENTERTAINMNET AND LIVE MUSIC EACH MONTH DURING THE FIRST FRIDAY AND ART WALK TO PROMOTE TRAFFIC ESTABLISHMENTS.
  2. $562,272 spent. MARKETING: TO PROVIDE A BUSINESS DIRECTORY, DINING GUIDE, CALENDAR OF EVENTS AND QUARTERLY NEWSPAPER TO THE PUBLIC. PROVIDE A FORUM FOR MERCHANTS TO DISCUSS COMMON ISSUES AND DEVELOP SPECIAL PROMOTIONS AND EVENTS.
  3. $223,430 spent. BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WITHIN THE BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT. WE WORK WITH DEVELOPERS TO FIND AVAILABLE PROPERTIES, BROKERS TO IDENTIFY AVAILABLE OFFICE/TENANT SPACES AND INCREASE BUSINESS AND RESIDENTIAL OCCUPANY IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA.

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 September 1991.

    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.