Los Cenzontles Mexican Arts Center
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Los Cenzontles Mexican Arts Center is a Latino-led, grassroots, artist-driven organization that promotes Mexican-American cultural awareness and understanding in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond.
- Income
- $3.0 million
- Spending
- $1.4 million
- Spent on programs
- 72%
- Reserves
- 19.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 94%
- Employees
- 12
- Volunteers
- 50
- Highest pay
- $207,015, 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
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 89% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 19.5 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 5% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 53% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 185% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1571% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 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: 80 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
5 of 254 of 8 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
15 of 15Its accounts were audited 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 (3)
- $1.0 million spent. The Academy-----------Los Cenzontles Cultural Arts Academy has surpassed 35 years of empowering youth through rigorous arts education in music, dance, and visual arts, preserving and celebrating Mexican culture. Our master instructors provided hands-on training to hundreds of students, fostering artistic excellence, cultural identity, and community values. Students performed at major Academy events, recorded traditional songs with accompanying music videos, and showcased their talents on regional television, reinforcing Los Cenzontles role as a leader in cultural arts education.
- Production and Performance--------------------------Los Cenzontles Productions plays a vital role in amplifying Mexican culture through media, building an extensive archive of 35 music albums, 20 documentary films, and numerous music videos over 35 years. In 2024, Los Cenzontles released Covers 3, reinterpreting popular songs through Mexican and Latin rhythms and instrumentation, as well as a banda version of Neil Youngs Powderfinger. Founder Eugene Rodriguez also published Bird of Four Hundred Voices, a widely praised memoir named an NPR Books We Love selection.
- Performance-----------The Los Cenzontles Touring Group, composed of Academy alumni and advanced students, brought vibrant performances to diverse audiences in 2024. Our Music & Tacos concert series drew packed local crowds, while the Bird of Four Hundred Voices book release event featured a special performance attended by supporters and media. Annual Da de los Muertos and Holiday concerts also attracted new audiences, furthering Los Cenzontles mission to celebrate and share Mexican cultural traditions through live performance.
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 November 6, 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 1995.
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 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.