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Arts Ignite Inc

EIN 20-4532991 · New York, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

ARTS IGNITE, INC. FORMERLY KNOWN AS ARTISTS STRIVING TO END POVERTY WAS ESTABLISHED IN 2006 AS A NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATION IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK. THROUGH THE ARTS, ARTS IGNITE INC. DEVELOPS AGENCY IN YOUNG PEOPLE BY INSPIRING THE CREATIVE CAPACITY, COMMUNITY AND COURAGE THEY NEED TO THRIVE.

Income
$1.1 million
Spending
$1.2 million
Spent on programs
62%
Reserves
8.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 71%
Employees
9
Volunteers
10
Highest pay
$126,949, 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: 75 out of 100. Higher than 54% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 7% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 11% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 13% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    62% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 28 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    16 of 16 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a 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

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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 (4)
  1. $174,543 spent. WORKSHOPS AND RESIDENCIESARTS IGNITE WORKSHOPS AND RESIDENCIES CONNECT PROFESSIONAL TEACHING ARTISTS WITH STUDENTS OF ALL GRADE LEVELS TO EXPOSE THEM TO DIFFERENT ART FORMS WHILE USING THE ARTS TO BUILD SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL SKILLS AND CULTIVATE THEIR CREATIVE CAPACITY, COMMUNITY, AND COURAGE. SINGLE-SESSION WORKSHOPS RANGE 45-90 MINUTES AND MULTI-SESSION RESIDENCIES CULMINATE IN FINAL STUDENT PROJECTS AND PRESENTATIONS AT THE END OF A 8-SESSION WORKSHOP SERIES
  2. $310,404 spent. ARTS CAMPS ARTS IGNITE HOSTS MULTI-WEEK ARTS CAMPS THAT FOCUS ON STRENGTHENING STUDENTS' POSITIVE INTERACTIONS WITH THEIR COMMUNITY, POSITIVE PEER RELATIONSHIPS, AND CORE SKILLS LIKE CREATIVITY, CONFIDENCE, COLLABORATION, COMMUNICATION, AND SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING. CAMPS LAST A MINIMUM OF ONE WEEK AND UP TO SIX WEEKS FOCUSING ON A CHOSEN ART FORM OR STUDENT POPULATION.
  3. $153,478 spent. ARTSINSIDEOUT - SOUTH AFRICAARTSINSIDEOUT BRINGS ARTS IGNITE TEACHING ARTISTS FROM THE UNITED STATES AND SEVERAL COUNTRIES ACROSS SOUTHERN AFRICA TO LEAD A 3 WEEK PERFORMING ARTS CAMP AT NKOSI'S HAVEN, A RESIDENTIAL FACILITY FOR CHILDREN AND THEIR MOTHERS AFFECTED BY HIV/AIDS AND GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE IN JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA.
  4. $110,869 spent. COMMUNITY EVENTSARTS IGNITE LEADS SINGLE-DAY MULTI-GENERATIONAL ARTS ACTIVITIES THAT PROMOTE TOGETHERNESS, TEAM BUILDING, AND FUN. ARTS IGNITE'S PROJECTS, GAMES, AND OTHER OFFERINGS ADD INSPIRATION TO COMMUNITY FAIRS, PARTIES, OR OTHER SPECIAL EVENTS. PARTNERS CAN CHOOSE FROM A LIST OF COMMUNITY EVENT THEMES OR CUSTOMIZE THE EVENT TO FIT THEIR SPECIAL OCCASION.NEWCOMER YOUTH SUMMER ACADEMYARTS IGNITE PROVIDES THE CREATIVE ARTS CLASSES FOR THE NEWCOMER YOUTH SUMMER ACADEMY, A FIVE-WEEK SUMMER PROGRAM FOR THE INTERNATIONAL RESCUE COMMITTEE'S REFUGEE YOUTH PROGRAM (RYP), WHICH SUPPORTS THE PERSONAL GROWTH, CULTURAL ADJUSTMENT, AND EDUCATION FOR REFUGEE, ASYLEE, AND VARIOUS YOUTH IMPACTED BY IMMIGRATION STATUS WHO HAVE RECENTLY ARRIVED IN NEW YORK CITY IN THE PAST TWO YEARS AND HELPS THEM SUCCESSFULLY TRANSITION INTO THE US SCHOOL SYSTEM.CREATIVE ACTIVITY KITSARTS IGNITE CREATIVE ACTIVITY KITS FILLED WITH ART SUPPLIES AND SPECIALLY CRAFTED WORKBOOKS, ARE DELIVERED TO CHILDREN ACROSS NEW YORK CITY EVERY MONTH. THESE INSPIRING COLLECTIONS INVITE YOUNG PEOPLE TO PARTICIPATE IN NEW CREATIVE EXPERIENCES, INDEPENDENTLY OR TOGETHER WITH THEIR CAREGIVERS THROUGH ARTS ACTIVITIES AND SUPPLIES DESIGNED BY OUR ARTS IGNITE TEACHING ARTISTS. THE CREATIVE ACTIVITY KIT ACTIVITIES COMBINE THE PERFORMING AND VISUAL ARTS WITH ARTS IGNITE'S CORE SKILLS OF COURAGE, COMMUNITY, CREATIVE CAPACITY.

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 2025.

    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 June 2006.

    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.