Rose Bowl Aquatics Center
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The Rose Bowl Aquatics Center (the RBAC or Center) is a non-profit public benefit corporation formed under the non-profit corporation law of the State of California. In partnership with the City of Pasadena, the facility was constructed in 1990 and is located in the central part of the Arroyo Seco, only a few steps away from the world-famous Rose Bowl Stadium.The mission statement of the RBAC is to help everyone achieve their personal best by providing the finest aquatic educational, competitive, summer camp, and other recreational programs.
- Income
- $10.5 million
- Spending
- $10.4 million
- Spent on programs
- 86%
- Reserves
- 4.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 82%
- Employees
- 367
- Volunteers
- 200
- Highest pay
- $200,300, exec dir/cfo
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
Good: 71 out of 100.
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 4.3 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 17% of what it owns.
Living within its means
12 of 15Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 11% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1586% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 38 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.
Independent board
25 of 2520 of 20 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 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)
- $8.9 million spent. The RBAC is a world-class aquatics facility dedicated to helping all members of our diverse communities invest in their health and wellness by providing exemplary aquatic educational, competitive, therapeutic, and recreational programs. The RBACs facilities include two Olympic-sized pools, a therapy pool, a weight room, a conference room, locker rooms, a caf, and an aquatics merchandise shop. It hosts world-class swim, dive, and water polo teams and a wide variety of programs, including water aerobics, warm water exercise, lap swimming, learn-to-swim lessons, and land-based fitness classes such as yoga.The RBAC also provides need-based financial assistance to residents of Pasadena and surrounding communities. Participants receive up to 75% of the listed cost of programs such as swim lessons, adaptive swim lessons, lap swimming, water and dryland fitness classes, and our competitive teams (swim, masters swim, water polo, and diving). The RBAC endeavors to further fulfill its public benefit responsibilities through our Water Safety Program. This program provides every third-grade student in Pasadena Unified School District, including students with special needs, access to water safety instruction (i.e., swim lessons). Students attend 15 swim lessons and receive free swimsuits, water safety workbooks, and towel service.
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 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 December 2024.
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 September 1991.
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.