Downtown Santa Barbara Improvement Association
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE DOWNTOWN SANTA BARBARA IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION (DSBIA) IS A 501(C)(3) NONPROFIT COMMUNITY BENEFIT IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT WHOSE MISSION IS TO ENHANCE THE CLEANLINESS, SAFETY, ECONOMIC VITALITY, AND OVERALL EXPERIENCE OF DOWNTOWN SANTA BARBARA FOR RESIDENTS, BUSINESSES, PROPERTY OWNERS, AND VISITORS THROUGH COORDINATED MAINTENANCE, BEAUTIFICATION, MARKETING, ADVOCACY, AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS.
- Income
- $905,797
- Spending
- $24
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 100%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 17
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
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
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: 91 out of 100. Higher than 75% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2517 of 17 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.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (3)
- DISTRICT CLEAN & SAFE SERVICES - DURING THE YEAR, DSBIA WORKED TO SET UP, LAUNCH, AND MANAGE ENHANCED MAINTENANCE AND "CLEAN AND SAFE" SERVICES THROUGHOUT THE DOWNTOWN DISTRICT, INCLUDING DAILY SIDEWALK AND GUTTER SWEEPING, LITTER AND DEBRIS REMOVAL, TRASH ABATEMENT, GRAFFITI REMOVAL, AND REGULAR PRESSURE WASHING OF HIGH-TRAFFIC AREAS. THE SERVICES OFFICIALLY BEGAN SEPT. 2025 AND SUPPORTED APPROXIMATELY 88 BLOCK FACES OF THE DISTRICT AND RESPONDED TO APPROXIMATELY 30 SERVICE REQUESTS FROM BUSINESSES AND PROPERTY OWNERS MONTHLY WITH A 12 MINUTE RESPONSE TIME, CONTRIBUTING TO A CLEANER, MORE WELCOMING DOWNTOWN ENVIRONMENT FOR RESIDENTS AND VISITORS.
- PLACEMAKING, EVENTS, AND MARKETING FOR ECONOMIC VITALITY - DSBIA COORDINATED AND/OR SUPPORTED SIGNATURE DOWNTOWN EVENTS AND PLACEMAKING INITIATIVES DESIGNED TO DRIVE FOOT TRAFFIC AND INCREASE SALES FOR LOCAL BUSINESSES, INCLUDING EXAMPLES SUCH AS 1ST THURSDAY ART WALK, LIVE ART & WINE TOUR, SEASONAL ACTIVATIONS, AND CROSS-PROMOTION WITH LOCAL PARTNERS. THE ORGANIZATION PRODUCED AND DISTRIBUTED MARKETING MATERIALS, SOCIAL MEDIA CONTENT, AND PROMOTIONAL CAMPAIGNS THAT REACHED AN ESTIMATED 100,0000 INDIVIDUALS AND HELPED SHOWCASE DOWNTOWN'S ARTS, CULTURE, DINING, AND RETAIL OFFERINGS.
- ADVOCACY AND PLANNING FOR A THRIVING DOWNTOWN CORE - DSBIA PROVIDED COORDINATED OUTREACH TO COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS ON KEY POLICY AND PLANNING EFFORTS AFFECTING THE DOWNTOWN CORE, INCLUDING THE STATE STREET MASTER PLAN AND ADAPTIVE REUSE/HOUSING INITIATIVES. DSBIA GATHERED AND SHARED DATA ON VISITATION, ECONOMIC TRENDS, AND BUSINESS CONDITIONS, CONVENED STAKEHOLDERS THROUGH COMMITTEES AND PUBLIC MEETINGS, AND SUBMITTED FORMAL RECOMMENDATIONS TO HELP SHAPE BALANCED, FLEXIBLE SOLUTIONS THAT SUPPORT DOWNTOWN'S LONG-TERM ECONOMIC HEALTH AND LIVABILITY.
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 January 2025.
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.