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Santa Barbara Bowl Foundation

EIN 95-3618955 · Santa Barbara, CA

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

TO MANAGE, MAINTAIN, AND RENOVATE THE SANTA BARBARA BOWL, TO PROVIDE MUSIC AND PERFORMING ARTS EVENTS IN THE SANTA BARBARA COMMUNITY, TO PROMOTE CULTURAL AND ARTISTIC AWARENESS IN SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, TO PRESENT MUSIC AND PERFORMING ARTS TO LOCAL STUDENTS.

Income
$9.5 million
Spending
$7.5 million
Spent on programs
88%
Reserves
33.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 45%
Employees
16
Volunteers
100
Highest pay
$293,578, executive director & 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

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

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 33.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 20% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 13% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    88% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 12 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 82% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    16 of 16 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

    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 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 (2)
  1. $6.0 million spent. PERFORMING ARTS: THE SANTA BARBARA BOWL FOUNDATION IS LED BY DEDICATED VOLUNTEERS AND STAFF TO OPERATE THE SANTA BARBARA BOWL, A PREEMINENT OUTDOOR PERFORMING ARTS VENUE, TYPICALLY HOSTING APPROXIMATELY 35 SHOWS AND OVER 120,000 PATRONS ANNUALLY. FOLLOWING A $40 MILLION RENOVATION AND RESTORATION EFFORT, THE FOUNDATION CONTINUES TO RAISE FUNDS TO PROTECT THE COMMUNITY'S INVESTMENT AND STAY AT THE FOREFRONT OF TECHNOLOGY, AUDIENCE SAFETY AND AMENITIES. THE FOUNDATION ALSO RAISES FUNDS FOR OUTREACH PROGRAMMING AND ENDOWMENT TO PROVIDE NEED-BASED SUPPORT, RESOURCES, AND ADVOCACY TO MUSIC AND PERFORMING ARTS EDUCATION PROGRAMS BENEFITING LOCAL SCHOOL CHILDREN.
  2. $673,626 spent. OUTREACH PROGRAM: THE SANTA BARBARA BOWL FOUNDATION IS A RESPECTED PARTNER IN THE PERFORMING ARTS EDUCATION COMMUNITY IN THE GREATER SANTA BARBARA AREA, TYPICALLY REACHING APPROXIMATELY 20,000 SCHOOL CHILDREN ANNUALLY. ITS PROGRAMS INCLUDE SUPPORTING THE ARTS COMMUNITY BY PROVIDING NEED-BASED SUPPORT TO THE ARTS EDUCATION PROGRAMS, SUPPORTING COMMUNITY ACCESS TO THE PERFORMING ARTS, AND SERVING AS AN ARTS ADVOCATE IN THE COMMUNITY. THE FOUNDATION ITSELF COMMITS $1.00 PER PAID TICKET TO THE OUTREACH PROGRAM.

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

  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 October 13, 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 December 2024.

    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 July 1988.

    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 October 21, 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.