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Passes our checks

Viva Pima

EIN 86-6057789 · Tucson, AZ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

VOLUNTEERS WORKING IN THE TUCSON COMMUNITY TO HELP THOSE IN NEED.

Income
$1.8 million
Spending
$1.6 million
Spent on programs
70%
Reserves
13.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 96%
Employees
4
Volunteers
309

Source: Form 990 for the year ending April 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 90% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 13.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% 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 23% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    70% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 14 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending April 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 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.

  • 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 April 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 (8)
  1. $621,908 spent. VIVA PIMA! KIDS PROVIDES STUDENTS IN KINDERGARTEN THROUGH MIDDLE SCHOOL, FROM LOW-INCOME FAMILIES, ATTENDING 43 SCHOOLS IN PIMA COUNTY WITH NEW SCHOOL CLOTHING OR UNIFORMS TO ALLEVIATE CLOTHING INSECURITY AND ASSIST FAMILIES WHO STRUGGLE TO AFFORD BASIC NEEDS. NEW CLOTHING CAN SUPPORT SELF-CONFIDENCE AND IMPROVE SCHOOL ATTENDANCE.
  2. $214,952 spent. VIVA PIMA! SUPPLIES ENABLES UNHOUSED INDIVIDUALS LEAVING HOMELESS SHELTERS OR ABUSIVE HOME SITUATIONS TO LIVE INDEPENDENTLY AGAIN. IN COLLABORATION WITH SOCIAL SERVICE AND GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES NEW BASIC HOUSEHOLD SUPPLIES FOR THE BEDROOM, KITCHEN, AND BATH TO INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES STARTING OVER.
  3. $34,651 spent. VIVA PIMA! SUPPORT WORKS TO REDUCE THE TRAUMA OF SEXUAL ASSAULT IN OUR COMMUNITY, HELPING RESTORE DIGNITY TO VICTIMS AND ALLOWING THE HEALING PROCESS TO BEGIN. THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES A CHANGE OF CLOTHES, TOILETRIES, AND SNACKS TO VICTIMS, PARTNERING WITH THE SOUTHERN ARIZONA CENTER AGAINST SEXUAL ASSAULT (SACASA), SOUTHERN ARIZONA CHILD ADVOCACY CENTER (SACAC), AND EMERGE! CENTER AGAINST DOMESTIC ABUSE (EMERGE!) TO RESPOND TO THE NEEDS OF VICTIMS.
  4. $32,336 spent. VIVA PIMA! BOOKS COLLABORATES WITH SEVERAL SCHOOLS AND PROGRAMS TO PROVIDE LIBRARIES AND CLASSROOMS WITH BOOKS AND LITERACY SUPPLIES THAT SUPPORT THEIR CURRICULUM, WHICH THEY MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO OBTAIN OTHERWISE.
  5. $23,144 spent. VIVA PIMA! BEARS PROGRAM PROVIDES CHILD-SAFE TEDDY BEARS TO COMFORT CHILDREN IN EMOTIONAL OR PHYSICAL CRISIS THROUGH SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS, SUCH AS LAW ENFORCEMENT, GRIEF COUNSELING AND HOSPITALS.
  6. $22,511 spent. VIVA PIMA! TEENS CULTIVATES LEADERSHIP BY EMPOWERING HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TO OVERSEE PHILANTHROPIC INITIATIVES AND SUPPORTS TITLE 1 MIDDLE SCHOOLS BY DONATING SUPPLIES TO THE ARTS, MUSIC, AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENTS OF SELECTED SCHOOLS IN THE TUCSON AREA. THEY ALSO SUPPORT THE VIVA PIMA! ORGANIZATION AND VOLUNTEER IN VARIOUS COMMUNITY PROJECTS.
  7. $156,875 spent. VIVA PIMA! RECYCLE OPERATES TO RECYCLE, REUSE, AND REPURPOSE DONATED ITEMS THAT VIVA PIMA! CANNOT USE TO SUPPORT ITS OPERATIONS OR SELL IN ITS THRIFT SHOP. THESE ITEMS ARE DONATED TO AGENCIES, ORGANIZATIONS, AND SCHOOLS THAT CAN EFFECTIVELY UTILIZE THEM.
  8. $1,637 spent. OTHER SMALL PROGRAMS INCLUDE ASSISTEENS COMMUNITY SERVICE AND TOILETRIES FOR TUCSON STUDENTS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending April 30, 2025, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending April 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since October 1961.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.