Skip to the page content
Your donations
Check before you give

Bencao Brasil

EIN 95-4892006 · Culver City, CA

Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.

LegitimacyCautionRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak36 out of 100GovernanceNot ratedThe short tax form does not cover thisImpact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Bencao Brasil Cultural Center is committed to bringing the art of Capoeira and culture of Brazil to the communities of Southern California. Through this holistic art, a mix of traditional music, culture, dance and martial arts, our organization seeks to uplift, empower, and inspire youth and families. Capoeira and other Brazilian dance, music, and arts provide practitioners a positive and creative outlet by which to express themselves and stay healthy inside and out. We are committed to connecting the people of Southern California with the culture of Brazil and helping them become positive contributing members of a global 21st Century society, through classes, free community programming, teaching residencies, international cultural exchanges, workshops, festivals and performances.

Income
$55,589
Spending
$75,588
Reserves
3.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 100%

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 36 out of 100. Higher than 8% of charities in its peer group (education, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 50% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 36% of income.

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.

Source: Form 990EZ 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. $75,588 spent. Benao Brasil Cultural Center is committed to bringing the art of Capoeira and culture of Brazil to the communities of Southern California. Through this holistic art, a mix of traditional music, culture, dance and martial arts, our organization seeks to uplift, empower, and inspire youth and families. Capoeira and other Brazilian dance, music, and arts provide practitioners a positive and creative outlet by which to express themselves and stay healthy inside and out. We are committed to connecting the people of Southern California with the culture of Brazil and helping them become positive contributing members of a global 21st Century society, through classes, free community programming, teaching residencies, international cultural exchanges, workshops, festivals and performances.

Source: Form 990EZ 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since June 2002.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Caution.

    California's Attorney General lists its registration as revoked as of December 31, 2005. Organizations on this list may not solicit donations in California.

    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.