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Chippewa Valley Cultural Association Inc

EIN 39-1236476 · Chippewa Falls, WI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong97 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE CHIPPEWA VALLEY CULTURAL ASSOCIATION (CVCA) WAS FORMED IN 1976 TO ACCOMPLISH TWO MAIN GOALS: (1) TO SAVE THE OLD MCDONELL MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING FROM DESTRUCTION AND RESTORE IT AS A VENUE FOR THE CREATIVE INDUSTRY IN THE CHIPPEWA VALLEY; AND (2) TO PROVIDE A VENUE AND AN OPPORTUNITY FOR LOCAL ARTISTS, PERFORMERS, WRITERS AND CREATIVE PRODUCERS TO EXPLORE, GROW AND SHARE THEIR TALENTS WITH OTHERS IN THE REGION AND BEYOND. ADDITIONALLY, THE CVCA SEEKS TO BRING IN GIFTED INDIVIDUALS AND GROUPS FROM OUTSIDE THE REGION AS WELL WITH THE VISION OF EXPOSING CHIPPEWA VALLEY RESIDENTS TO THE TALENTS OF PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD.

Income
$565,016
Spending
$544,214
Spent on programs
96%
Reserves
11.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 54%
Employees
15
Volunteers
240
Highest pay
$84,757, executive di

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

Financial health

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 78% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 11.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 23% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    96% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 97 out of 100. Higher than 91% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 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

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending November 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 (5)
  1. $143,867 spent. OUR COMMITMENT TO THE ARTS WAS EVIDENT IN THE 62 EVENING OR WEEKEND PERFORMANCES, WITH OVER 45% OF THEM SPOTLIGHTING LOCAL PERFORMERS. THESE EVENTS NOT ONLY SHOWCASED THE INCREDIBLE TALENT WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY BUT ALSO BROUGHT US TOGETHER TO CELEBRATE THE ARTS. ADDITIONALLY, OUR THIRTEEN DAYS OF MATINEE PERFORMANCES DREW SOLID AUDIENCES, FURTHER HIGHLIGHTING THE COMMUNITYS ENTHUSIASM FOR THE ARTS. THESE MATINEE PERFORMANCES BROUGHT MOTORCOACH TOURS FROM WISCONSIN AND MINNESOTA AS WELL AS MET A DEMAND FOR WEEKDAY ENTERTAINMENT OPTIONS FOR OUR LOCAL SENIORS WITH MANY ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES AND GROUP HOMES TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE OPPORTUNITY TO GET OUT AND ENJOY LIVE THEATER.
  2. $2,986 spent. WE ARE PARTICULARLY PROUD OF OUR EFFORTS IN ARTS EDUCATION AND OUTREACH. NEARLY 1,000 YOUTH, AGES 5 TO 18, PARTICIPATED IN EDUCATIONAL EVENTS SUPPORTED BY THE HEYDE CENTER, NURTURING THE NEXT GENERATION OF ARTISTS AND ART ENTHUSIASTS.
  3. $6,518 spent. OUR CENTER ALSO HOSTED 32 DAYS OF SPECIAL EVENTS, FROM BUSINESS PARTIES TO WEDDINGS AND CELEBRATIONS OF LIFE, PROVIDING A SPACE FOR OUR COMMUNITY TO COME TOGETHER IN JOY AND REMEMBRANCE. BEYOND THESE MAJOR EVENTS, WE HOSTED BOOK READINGS, VISUAL ART EXHIBITS, SMALLER MEETINGS, AND 13 ARTS CLASSES FOR ADULTS, ENSURING THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE AT THE HEYDE CENTER.
  4. $368,098 spent. OTHER EXPENSES NOT DIRECTLY ALLOCATED TO PROGRAM SERVICES SUCH AS PUBLICITY ADVERTISING, BUILDING MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR, FACILITY RENTAL COST, AND MEMBER SERVICES/ADMINISTRATION.
  5. OTHER EXPENSES NOT DIRECTLY ALLOCATED TO PROGRAM SERVICES SUCH AS PUBLICITY ADVERTISING, BUILDING MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR, FACILITY RENTAL COST, AND MEMBER SERVICES/ADMINISTRATION.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending November 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 November 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 October 1976.

    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.