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Firstworks

EIN 22-2597014 · Providence, RI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak39 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

FIRSTWORKS' MISSION IS TO ENRICH THE CULTURAL, EDUCATIONAL, AND ECONOMIC FABRIC OF RHODE ISLAND BY ENGAGING DIVERSE AUDIENCES WITH WORLD-CLASS PERFORMING ARTS AND EDUCATION.

Income
$1.5 million
Spending
$1.6 million
Spent on programs
71%
Reserves
1.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 48%
Employees
8
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$111,070, ex officio

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 39 out of 100. Higher than 10% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 64% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 6% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 15% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    71% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 14 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    19 of 20 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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 June 30, 2025, 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. $1.2 million spent. ACROSS THE 2024-2025 SEASON, FIRSTWORKS CONTINUED TO DEEPEN PARTNERSHIPS, EXPAND ACCESS TO THE ARTS FOR RHODE ISLANDERS, AND AMPLIFY DIVERSE ARTISTIC VOICES IN OUR COMMUNITY. DURING THE SEASON, WE PRESENTED MORE THAN 60 TOTAL EVENTS, PRESENTING OVER 55 GLOBAL AND LOCAL PERFORMING ARTISTS, AND SHARING 240+ GIFTED TICKETS IN OUR COMMUNITY. FIRSTWORKS CO-PRODUCED PVDFEST FOR THE 11TH YEAR, PARTNERING WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF ART, CULTURE AND TOURISM ON THE CITY OF PROVIDENCE'S SIGNATURE ARTS FESTIVAL WHICH EMPLOYED 600 ARTISTS, 250 CRAFT VENDORS, AND ATTRACTED CLOSE TO 50,000 ATTENDEES.FIRSTWORKS' ARTS LEARNING PROGRAM CONNECTED WORLD-CLASS ARTISTS WITH STUDENTS AND EDUCATORS ACROSS RHODE ISLAND, PROVIDING MEANINGFUL OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TO EXPERIENCE THE PERFORMING ARTS. THIS YEAR WE ENGAGED OVER 3500 STUDENTS WITH IN-PERSON ARTS EVENTS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, 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 June 2025.

    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 September 1985.

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