Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Arts Education
The Pullum Center provides free arts instruction to more than 1,200 students, ages 5 to 20, at our headquarters and partner schools. Classes are designed to run throughout the school year with at least three opportunities for each student to showcase their talent at community performances. Each student receives personalized instruction based on their age and level of experience.
Annual Musical Production
Pullum Center aims to hold two musical productions every year. The fall musical features middle school students, while the spring musical features high school students.
Summer Program
Our Summer Program engages children in arts education when schools are closed, and most parents are working. During the summer, students attend up to six-hour-long classes per day (Monday to Thursday) and participate in one field trip per week on Fridays.
Where we work
External reviews

Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Number of free registrants to classes
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Arts Education
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Total number of audience members
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Our Sustainable Development Goals
Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.
Goals & Strategy
Reports and documents
Download strategic planLearn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
The Pullum Center aims to provide a program filled with structure and well-planned curriculum to help students build self-esteem, develop civic responsibility and teach them to apply the same dedication and commitment to their academic aspirations.
Our goals are to:
Improve students’ academic success.
Develop students’ self-esteem and leadership skills, impart sense of belonging and reduce self-destructive behavior.
Increase students’ appreciation for the performing arts and how participation can improve their lives.
Contribute to local community through performances and service activities.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
Our strategy to achieve the expected outcomes is to provide a performing arts program (i.e. instrumental music, voice, dance, and drama) with quality instruction that instills confidence and fosters artistic excellence in our students. Currently, 30 weekly performing arts classes are held at the Center headquarters and another 30 are held at participating schools. Students are provided a free dinner and a snack at the Pullum Center and Marcus Garvey School during the school year to ensure they are nourished. During the summer, when school is not in session, students are offered breakfast, lunch and a snack.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
Executive Director Fernando Pullum is an educator and professional musician. Despite his difficult childhood growing up on Chicago's Westside, the city's toughest neighborhood, Fernando earned his bachelor's degree in music education and master's in trumpet performance. Fernando moved to Los Angeles in 1984 to follow his dream of becoming an educator and professional musician. He assumed the music program at L.A.'s Washington Prep High School. Under his tutelage, the program thrived. In 1989, LAUSD recognized Fernando's music program as the first music magnet in South Los Angeles. During the years that followed, 100% of Fernando's students graduated with a high school diploma and only one student failed to enroll in college during the next fifteen years. Fernando has been recognized by many organizations and individuals throughout his tenure, including Oprah, VH-1, John Lennon Foundation, and the State of California as its teacher of the year. He has performed and recorded with many industry greats, such as Stevie Wonder, Ella Fitzgerald, Jackson Browne, Etta James, Alicia Keys, Eddie Murphy, Fishbone and more.
The Pullum Center employs 20 part-time arts education staff members with expertise in instrumental music, dance, voice, and drama.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
The Pullum Center has been successful in increasing our capacity to serve 600 students every year--a 100% increase from 2015 to 2017. Recent accomplishments include:
- Our students recorded with Aloe Blacc on the John Lennon educational tour bus.
- Students plays and sang with Ronnie Spector at the National Music Merchandisers (NAMM) in Anaheim.
- Ten students were hired as extras on the HBO hit show Insecure.
- Two students performed in the Shakespeare Festival in Scotland.
The Pullum Center continues to strive for financial sustainability. It is currently taking strategic steps to ensure the organization is supported by diversified revenue streams.
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Fernando Pullum Community Arts Center
Board of directorsas of 07/11/2022
James O'Brien
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
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Gender identity
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Sexual orientation
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Disability
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