Race Matters Slo County
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
R.A.C.E. Matters SLO Countys mission is to create artistic cultural educational and social experiences that amplify Black voices and matters of racial justice.
- Income
- $256,465
- Spending
- $266,208
- Spent on programs
- 90%
- Reserves
- 3.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 51%
- Employees
- 3
- Volunteers
- 30
- Highest pay
- $30,067, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2023, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 78 out of 100. Higher than 53% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 3.6 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 4% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 4% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 215% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1589% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2023, 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 255 of 5 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
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, 2023, 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 (11)
- $49,276 spent. Braiding Water was a multi-location art and cultural festival that wove together ceremony joy and care for our environment. Activities included a lifeguard station art installation opening ceremony film program beach cleanup Stories Matter and a facilitated conversation about water and race.
- $66,417 spent. Texture is a Black-centered multi-use space with a salon that welcomes rotating stylists. Beyond offering hair services Texture is envisioned as an inspiring cultural hub for the organizations programs and events. Most activity in 2023 was spent finding the location and preparing the building and space for use.
- $17,630 spent. Noire SLO is a social initiative aimed at connecting the Black community. 2023 activities included hosting Black Santa a Black-centered social event and supporting the design and opening of Texture.
- $9,840 spent. Heat Pump Home Electrification - expenses: $9840; revenue: $37615
- Environmental Leadership Initiative - expenses: $0; revenue: $30000
- $19,835 spent. Central Coast Creative Corps - expenses: $19835; revenue: $67500
- $270 spent. Community Giving - expenses: $270; revenue: $0
- $1,243 spent. Software tech fees for multiple programs - expenses: $1243; revenue: $0
- $500 spent. Belonging - expenses: $500; revenue: $0
- $755 spent. General programs events - expenses: $755; revenue: $0
- $72,434 spent. Administrative costs associated with programs: $633 accounting; $21913 payroll taxes; $40265 staff; $5588 insurance; $4035 marketing
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2023, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Worth knowing.
The IRS does not require this organization to file annual returns.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since January 2022.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.