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40 West Arts Inc

EIN 45-2729060 · Lakewood, CO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair64 out of 100GovernanceGood76 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Vision: The re-emergence of Lakewoods historic West Colfax corridor as a vibrant creative corridor and a memorable destination. Mission: To enrich the community and enhance the creative cultural and economic vitality of the historic West Colfax corridor by creating community arts spaces and community arts events and by supporting creative enterprises experiences and activities in the district. Values: To be an inclusive organization with a commitment to creativity that inspires artistic experimentation for both the novice and professional and supports and expands the creative cultural entrepreneurial economic and physical vitality of our community.

Income
$322,521
Spending
$359,045
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
1.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 77%
Employees
0
Volunteers
44
Highest pay
$38,000, pt exec director

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

Fair: 64 out of 100. Higher than 33% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% 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 15% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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: 76 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 7 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

    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

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (3)
  1. $135,000 spent. 40 West Connects Program provides free arts and culture programming to the surrounding community including our ever-popular Summer Youth Camps. Lakewood West Colfax is historically a corridor that has been underserved by the arts. 40 West Connects program ensures that arts and creative activities are brought to the areas and people that need it the most. These free activities including the youth camps provided by this program would not be possible without our many productive partnerships including those with our many artists members Colorados SCFD Colorado Creative Industries Xcel Energy Foundation the Colorado Gives Foundation formerly Community First Foundation the Lakewood-West Colfax BID West Colfax Community Association and our ongoing partnership with the City of Lakewood. 40 West Connects partners with our local housing authority seniors centers and local schools to provide ongoing free programming to serve youth seniors and families through our many volunteers and Artists in Residence Program.
  2. $90,150 spent. The 40 West ArtLine is a 4-mile walking and biking arts experience in the heart of the State-Certified 40 West Arts Creative District near historic West Colfax Avenue and the RTD W Line in Lakewood Colorado. Today it includes 70+ art installations. This free outdoor gallery experience follows sidewalks bike and park paths and local streets and can be visited in sections or in its entirety. Supported by a major grant from the National Endowment for the Arts and ongoing support from the City of Lakewood and the Lakewood-W. Colfax BID the ArtLine launched in 2018 after years of planning and is envisioned to eventually become the longest continuous arts experience in Colorado. With the most NEA grant in partnership with the City of Lakewood we in process of planning new or refreshed art installations along the ArtLine.
  3. $80,105 spent. 40 West Arts First Friday exhibitions and Colfax Art Crawls are districtwide events in which our creative venues host free exhibitions demos classes and hands-on make-and-take activities. Every quarter the district enhances this program with a diverse array of live entertainment and activities throughout the district. The exhibitions and accompanying family friendly activities are open to the public and always free of charge.

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 November 6, 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 2012.

    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 November 4, 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.