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Spirit Awakening Foundation

EIN 95-4585425 · Los Angeles, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood78 out of 100GovernanceFair53 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Spirit Awakening Foundation, (SAF), is a nonprofit, multidisciplinary arts organization. Through the power of artistic expression in the literary, theater and visual arts disciplines, we support program participants in transforming their lives.We believe that art is powerful and can entertain, heal, transform and inspire; therefore, artistic expression is a powerful entryway to uncover and heal from traumatic experiences. With the use of meditation/mindfulness practices, creative writing, visual arts, music, role-play, conflict resolution and dramatic improvisation, we support abused, neglected and underserved youth and young adults in realizing their value, self-worth, and dignity.Through our arts practices, SAF addresses the internalized racism and negative beliefs that stumps creative expression and produces self-hatred, low self-esteem, and violent behavior stemming from systemic structures that oppress and harm youth and communities of color.Spirit Awakening Foundation supports it

Income
$1.4 million
Spending
$1.3 million
Spent on programs
59%
Reserves
4.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 70%
Employees
2
Volunteers
25

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: 78 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 10% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 6% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 17% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    59% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 19 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

Fair: 53 out of 100. Higher than 10% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 8 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (1)
  1. $774,714 spent. 2024 AchievementsThe Spirit Awakening feature film is nearing completion, and the premiere will be held in the Fall of 2025;SAF secured a fully executed lease with the City of Los Angeles for the Historic Crenshaw Fire Station. The Fire Station has a breezeway that we will turn into an art gallery showcasing the artistic works of our program participants and members of the District 8 community as well;SAFs Mentoring Leaders programs are being successfully implemented at the historic Crenshaw Fire Station where we have established trust with the Crenshaw community and other community-based organizations to reach and serve as many youth as possible;SAF is in the process of training, cultivating and implementing policies and procedures that will support our growth and expansion as we increase our staff size and train more artists to teach our programs. SAF has secured two capacity building grants and we therefore have team building and supervisors trainings lined up for staff and teaching artists. Our goal is to make sure that our day-to-day practices are in integrity with our mission and who we believe ourselves to be;SAF led a 5-day leadership retreat to Esalen Institute, nestled in the dynamic and beautiful mountains of Big Sur, in August. Participants, mentors and staff were all able to retreat- bask in the healing energy of the natural world and center ourselves. The immeasurable joy of witnessing our young participants totally enthralled by the sheer vastness and splendor of this worldwide meeting place for the development of human potential is truly priceless. That Spirit Awakening gets to offer our embattled young ones such a safe place to heal that which torments them within; come to homeostasis and realign with their authentic selves- is at once humbling and euphoric. SAF doesnt just offer programs, we offer life expanding experiences that transform; SAF is very grateful to be able to do this. And we could not do any of this without the unconditional, generous and expansive support of our donors;SAFs annual fundraising event that acknowledges and celebrates the resiliency, talents and artistry of program participants and those that support our work. The 2024 event was magnificent as we were able to reach our fundraising goal and showcase the brilliance of program participants.

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 November 1996.

    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.