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Junior Center of Art & Science

EIN 94-1236838 · Oakland, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair51 out of 100GovernanceStrong97 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

An annual exhibit program for elementary school students, after school and summer art and science courses for children and teens, and drop-in activities for visitors of all ages are offered throughout the year.

Income
$670,802
Spending
$678,389
Spent on programs
63%
Reserves
1.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 73%
Employees
27
Volunteers
30
Highest pay
$98,753, exec 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

Fair: 51 out of 100. Higher than 18% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 38% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 39% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    62% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 44 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

Strong: 97 out of 100. Higher than 93% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports 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 (4)
  1. $168,973 spent. SUMMER CAMP:JCAS Summer Camp (June 10th-August 16th) at our home on Lake Merritt.We held 18 one to two week arts/steam camps for children ages 6 -14 years old. Included Carpentry, painting, printmaking, creative technology, maker education, comics, and science exploration. Camps were led by a team of professional educators, scientists, and artists and served over 180 students in small 14 person camps.
  2. $160,651 spent. OFF-SITE ACTIVITIES:The Junior Center partnered with school and community sites throughout Oakland and the Greater East Bay area. Residencies ranging from 16 to 30 weeks were offered at Franklin Elementary (4th and 5th grade serving 210 students), Emerson Elementary (TK 2ndh Grade, including 2 SPED classes, Carl Munck Elementary (TK-5th grades) all programs aligned with a strong focus on building confidence and agency in our young artists. [Continued on Schedule O]
  3. $94,219 spent. ON-SITE ACTIVITIES: Onsite After-school classes and workshops in our temporary space at 1222 Harrison St. in Oakland. We offered 3-5 quarterly after-school arts classes and workshops offered on a sliding scale to students ages 6 - 14 years old in Fall, Winter and Spring. Included carpentry, material multiverse, art adventures: painting, drawing, and collage as well as a new program in virtual world building . Programs were focused on a combination of skill building, technique and hands-on exploration and play. Students served in all after school classes totaled more than 45.
  4. Off-site Actiities [continued from Form 990 Page 2]A new art and social change program was offered at ARISE high school for ages 14-17We also offered a creative technology and digital arts course with Summitt Charter schools in Richmond, CA. Afterschool programming was held in the WCCUSD schools of Mira Vista Coronado,Ford and Shannon Schools serving 400 students over 30 weeks. Junior Center participated in several community free events including Old Oakland Creates to Honoring our Ancestors where we led free, engaging arts activities for the whole family.

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

  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 June 2025.

    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 October 1954.

    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.