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Academy Center of the Arts Inc

EIN 23-7061145 · Lynchburg, VA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceGood77 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION IS TO CULTIVATE A HEALTHIER AND MORE INTERCONNECTED COMMUNITY THROUGH CULTURAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND COMMUNITY-BUILDING ARTS PROGRAMS.THROUGH THE ACADEMY, COMMUNITY HEALTH AND INTERCONNECTIVITY WILL BE CULTIVATED THROUGH:-PROGRAMS THAT INSPIRE INDIVIDUALS OF ALL AGES, UNLOCKING THEIR INHERENT POTENTIAL AND NURTURING SOCIAL BONDS.-STATE-OF-THE-ART FACILITIES AND DEDICATED SUPPORT STAFF THAT ELEVATE OTHER LOCAL ARTS INSTITUTIONS AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES.-ACTIVITIES THAT ENGAGE BROAD AUDIENCES, WITH SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON ADDRESSING LIMITED ACCESS TO COMMUNITY NETWORKS BY FOSTERING COLLABORATION AND EXPANDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PERSONAL GROWTH.

Income
$7.4 million
Spending
$6.2 million
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
6.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 39%
Employees
65
Volunteers
146
Highest pay
$133,123, chief executive officer

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 80% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 17% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 39% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 19 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 77 out of 100. Higher than 28% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    22 of 22 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

    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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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

    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, 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 (2)
  1. $5.0 million spent. PROMOTION OF THE CREATIVE ARTS IN THE CENTRAL VIRGINIA AREA, THE ACADEMY PROVIDES 237 ART CLASSES OVER VARYING PERIODS FOR PERSONS RANGING FROM YOUNG CHILDREN TO SENIOR CITIZENS. OVER 4,871 PERSONS WERE SERVED VIA THESE CLASSES. THE ACADEMY ALSO PRESENTS ART SHOWS IN ITS GALLERY AND AT OTHER SPACES THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY. THESE PRESENTATIONS GIVE LOCAL ARTISTS A VENUE TO DISPLAY THEIR TALENTS. IT ALSO ALLOWS MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY TO BE ABLE TO VIEW QUALITY ARTWORK WITHOUT HAVING TO TRAVEL OUTSIDE OF THE GENERAL AREA.
  2. $133,790 spent. THE ACADEMY IS ALSO INVOLVED IN THE RESTORATION OF THE HISTORIC ACADEMY OF MUSIC THEATER IN LYNCHBURG, VIRGINIA. THE ACADEMY OF MUSIC THEATER IS A BUILDING DATING TO THE EARLY 1900'S. IT IS BOTH HISTORICALLY AND ARCHITECTURALLY SIGNIFICANT TO THE LYNCHBURG AREA. THE THEATER PLAYED HOST TO SOME OF THE GREAT NAMES OF AMERICAN ENTERTAINMENT IN THE DAYS BEFORE MOVING PICTURES. THE EXPENSES ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ACTIVITY ARE PRESENT IN THE BALANCE SHEET IN THAT MOST, IF NOT ALL, EXPENDITURES ARE FOR CAPITALIZED ITEMS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 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 August 2000.

    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.