Central Arts Alliance
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It owes more than it owns.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
Phoenix Center for the Arts provides arts and culture opportunities for all through education, programming and advocacy.
- Income
- $1.3 million
- Spending
- $1.4 million
- Spent on programs
- 85%
- Reserves
- -0.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 60%
- Employees
- 18
- Volunteers
- 35
- Highest pay
- $18,615, executive director
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
Weak: 29 out of 100. Higher than 3% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
0 of 20It owes 112% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 11% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 4% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1585% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 11 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
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 257 of 7 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
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
0 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 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 (1)
- $1.2 million spent. Central Arts Alliance (CAA) provided accessible, high-quality arts education and cultural programming at two campuses (Phoenix Center for the Arts in downtown Phoenix and Thunderbird Arts Center in north Phoenix). Across both sites, CAA offered 230+ classes annually in ceramics, painting, glass arts, drawing, photography, jewelry and metals, piano, guitar, dance, and youth arts. More than 3,500 students participated in these programs each year, representing diverse communities across Metro Phoenix. Participation grew, supported by targeted outreach such as CAAs BIPOC Arts Program, which expanded access for historically underrepresented artists and learners. CAA also operated a downtown community theater that hosted 150+ events annually, including dance, theater, music, film, and lecture programming. By providing low-cost, high-quality production space and partnering with 50+ nonprofit organizations, CAA reduced financial barriers to arts engagement and strengthened cultural equity in Phoenix. Mission-aligned events regularly received donated theater space and production support, increasing accessibility for community groups and emerging artists. Facilities & Capital Improvements (FY25): During FY25, CAA completed a major revitalization of the Third St Theater, funded through $1.194 million from the City of Phoenix General Obligation (GO) Bond Program. Improvements included a new LED house lighting plot, an updated professional sound system, a modern projection system, new stage curtains and drapery, new audience seating, a professional broadcast camera system, and a fully modernized technical booth. The Greenroom was fully renovated, and a new ADA lift was installed to ensure accessible stage entry for performers and guests. A new digital outdoor marquee was added on the high?visibility downtown corridor to increase exposure for community arts programming. More than 15 vendors and contractors contributed to this project. CAA also launched the Black Box at Third St Theater, transforming a previously unused storage space into an intimate, flexible venue with seating for approximately 75 guests, equipped with a full lighting plot and QSC sound system. The Black Box expanded opportunities for small theater companies, workshops, podcasts, comedy, and emerging performing artists. Expansion of Resident Organizations (FY25): Phoenix Center for the Arts expanded its resident nonprofit community with the following additions: Reflection Church, which held weekly Sunday services in the Theater and Black Box. School of Hip Hop (SOHH), which offered youth programs in music, dance, DJ skills, and creative arts. New Empire Entertainment, a Black?owned media production and photography collective. Grey Box Collective, which produced interdisciplinary, experimental work exploring social issues affecting college?age communities. These organizations strengthened the campus as a diverse, collaborative hub for creative expression and community engagement. Volunteer & Patron Services Impact: CAA engaged 35 volunteers during FY25. Volunteers supported special events, assisted Facilities with setup and logistics, and helped secure studios and classrooms for instructors and students. Patron Services increased on?site visibility, strengthened customer service support, and improved guest experience across both campuses.
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
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 October 13, 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 June 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 January 1994.
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 October 21, 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.