Hope Center for the Arts
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
THE SPECIFIC PURPOSE OF THE CORPORATION IS TO OPERATE AN ORGANIZATION FOR CHARITABLE AND EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES WHICH INCLUDES, WITHOUT LIMITATION, THE MISSION TO TRANSFORM THE LIVES OF ADULTS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES THROUGH THE ARTS.
- Income
- $387,078
- Spending
- $666,979
- Spent on programs
- 80%
- Reserves
- -6.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 94%
- Employees
- 13
- Volunteers
- 4
- Highest pay
- $71,360, acting ceo
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 20 out of 100.
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
0 of 20It owes 547% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 72% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 13% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1580% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 79 out of 100.
Independent board
18 of 254 of 4 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
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
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, 2024, 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)
- $533,669 spent. HOPE CENTER FOR THE ARTS IS A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION IN IRVINE, CALIFORNIA, DEDICATED TO TRANSFORMING THE LIVES OF ADULTS WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES THROUGH THE ARTS. HOPE PROVIDES A COMPREHENSIVE DAY PROGRAM THAT INCLUDES VISUAL ARTS, PERFORMING ARTS, FIBER ARTS, AND LIFE ENRICHMENT, OFFERING INDIVIDUALS OPPORTUNITIES FOR CREATIVE EXPRESSION, PERSONAL GROWTH, AND COMMUNITY INCLUSION. THROUGH ITS TAILORED DAY SERVICES PROGRAM, HOPE ALSO SUPPORTS CLIENTS IN DEVELOPING VOCATIONAL SKILLS AND PURSUING MEANINGFUL EMPLOYMENT AND VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCES WITHIN THE COMMUNITY. BY FOSTERING INDEPENDENCE, CREATIVITY, AND CONFIDENCE, HOPE EMPOWERS EACH ARTIST TO REACH THEIR FULLEST POTENTIAL WHILE BUILDING A MORE INCLUSIVE AND COMPASSIONATE SOCIETY.VISUAL ARTSTHE VISUAL ARTS PROGRAM PROVIDES ARTISTS WITH DISABILITIES A SUPPORTIVE AND INSPIRING SPACE TO EXPLORE DRAWING, PAINTING, MIXED MEDIA, AND OTHER TWO-DIMENSIONAL ART FORMS. STUDENTS DEVELOP TECHNICAL SKILLS, EXPRESS THEIR CREATIVITY, AND BUILD CONFIDENCE WHILE PRODUCING ORIGINAL ARTWORK THAT IS SHOWCASED IN EXHIBITIONS AND COMMUNITY EVENTS.PERFORMING ARTSTHE PERFORMING ARTS PROGRAM EMPOWERS ARTISTS WITH DISABILITIES TO EXPRESS THEMSELVES THROUGH MUSIC, DRAMA, MOVEMENT, AND PERFORMANCE. STUDENTS BUILD CONFIDENCE, COMMUNICATION SKILLS, AND STAGE PRESENCE WHILE PARTICIPATING IN GROUP CLASSES, REHEARSALS, AND LIVE PERFORMANCES THAT CELEBRATE THEIR TALENTS AND CREATIVITY. LIFE ENRICHMENTLIFE ENRICHMENT CLASSES ARE OFFERED ONSITE AND ONLINE AND INCLUDE CURRENT EVENTS, FITNESS, POETRY, SPORTS, FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT, AND CULINARY ARTS. THE GOAL IS TO APPLY WHAT THEY LEARN IN THE CLASSROOM TO THEIR LIFE IN THE REAL WORLD. DURING THE YEAR, THE ORGANIZATION HAD AROUND 50-55 STUDENTS.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.
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 June 1981.
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.