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Downtown Art Center

EIN 99-0354745 · Honolulu, HI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood78 out of 100GovernanceFair63 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

DOWNTOWN ART CENTER (DAC) WAS ESTABLISHED TO BUILD A THRIVING AND VIBRANT DOWNTOWN/CHINATOWN THROUGH THE POWER OF CREATIVITY AND THE ARTS. THE DAC IN THE CHINATOWN GATEWAY PLAZA PROVIDES CREATIVE ARTS EXPERIENCE TO ALL INCOMES, AGES AND SKILL LEVELS. PROVIDES COLLABORATING ARTS AND CULTURE NONPROFITS AFFORDABLE SPACES FOR OFFICES, CREATIVE MAKER SPACES, AND ART EXHIBITIONS, CLASSES, AND SPECIAL EVENTS. DAC SUPPORTS HAWAII'S ART COMMUNITIES BY PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES EXHIBIT AND SELL THEIR WORK TO THE GREATER COMMUNITY.

Income
$868,359
Spending
$836,462
Spent on programs
63%
Reserves
5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 46%
Employees
4
Volunteers
50
Highest pay
$40,718, executive director

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 53% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 11% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    63% 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

Fair: 63 out of 100. Higher than 32% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 5 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

    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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 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 (2)
  1. $57,608 spent. PROVIDES A VENUE FOR LOCAL ARTISTS TO SHOW THEIR ART WORK AND LEARN AND DEVELOP THE SKILLS TO BE ABLE TO MANAGE THE BUSINESS ASPECT OF THEIR ART. DAC PROVIDES TRAINING, CLASSES, AND CONSULTATIONS FOR SOCIAL MEDIA, WEBPAGE DESIGN, MARKETING, AND PROMOTIONS.
  2. $469,166 spent. EXHIBITION HALL AND FACILITIES USED TO HOST SPECIAL EVENTS. ART EXHIBITS, CLASSES, AND MEETING SPACE FOR COMMUNITY GROUPS AND ARTIST. GALLERY SHOWS AND CLASSES ARE CURATED BY DOWNTOWN ART CENTER IN ORDER TO ENCOURAGE AND PROMOTE CULTURE AND ARTS IN THE DOWNTOWN/CHINATOWN COMMUNITY.

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 September 2001.

    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.