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Creativets

EIN 46-3617663 · Nashville, TN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair55 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO EMPOWER WOUNDED VETERANS TO HEAL THROUGH THE ARTS AND MUSIC, USING TOOLS THEY CAN USE THE REST OF THEIR LIVES TO COMBAT STRESS, DEPRESSION, AND OTHER SIDE EFFECTS OF WAR. THESE PROGRAMS ALSO ENABLE VETERANS TO SEE THEIR OWN CAPACITY FOR SUCCESS IN AN AREA OUTSIDE THE BATTLEFIELD.

Income
$4.3 million
Spending
$2.3 million
Spent on programs
88%
Reserves
-2.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 96%
Employees
14
Volunteers
361
Highest pay
$148,363, executive director

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

Fair: 55 out of 100. Higher than 26% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 36% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 48% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 96% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    88% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 49% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 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

    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 (2)
  1. $1.3 million spent. VETERAN SONGWRITING PROGRAMS - PROGRAM OFFERINGS, BOTH FOR SONGWRITING AND VISUAL ARTS PROGRAMS.DURING THE 2024-2025 FISCAL YEAR WE HOSTED MORE VETERAN SONGWRITING PROGRAMS IN NASHVILLE, TN THAN ANY YEAR BEFORE. WE ALSO INCREASED OUR PARTICIPATION WITH EACH OF OUR OTHER PARTNERS/VETERAN SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS TO BRING THE HEALING POWER OF MUSIC TO MORE VETERANS THAN EVER BEFORE. ALONG WITH INCREASES IN OTHER PROGRAMS, WE CONTINUED AND INCREASED THE NUMBER OF IN-HOUSE SONGWRITING AND GUITAR LESSONS. THROUGH THIS PROGRAM, VETERANS CAN SIMPLY WALK IN TO OUR FACILITY, OR LOG ON VIRTUALLY, WHERE THEY ARE PROVIDED WITH LIFESAVING SONGWRITING AND MUSIC LESSONS WITHOUT THE NEED TO WAIT FOR OUR NEXT SCHEDULED PROGRAM.WE ALSO HOSTED COMMUNITY PROGRAMS HOSTED AT OUR VETERAN CENTER IN NASHVILLE WHERE LOCAL VETERANS COULD ATTEND GUITAR, SONGWRITING, OR EVEN VOCAL COACHING FOR SINGLE DAY EVENTS. THIS ALLOWS US TO MAKE AN IMPACT ON THOSE VETERANS RIGHT HERE IN OUR OWN LOCAL AREA. THESE HAVE BEEN INCREDIBLY SUCCESSFUL.
  2. $716,998 spent. INTRODUCTION TO ART FOR VETERANS - THESE PROGRAMS PROVIDED OUR HIGH QUALITY, MULTI-DISCIPLINE VISUAL ART PROGRAMMING. CREATIVETS CONTINUED TO PARTNER WITH THE GLASSELL SCHOOL OF ART AT THE MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS - HOUSTON FOR OUR RECURRING WINTER ART PROGRAM. THIS 2-WEEK PROGRAM WAS MODELED AFTER OUR SUMMER PROGRAMS BUT OFFERED IN HOUSTON, TX WHERE THE WINTER WEATHER WAS NOT SO EXTREME. THIS CLASS FOCUSED ON SCULPTURE AND CERAMICS, BUT IT ALSO INCLUDED ELEMENTS OF MIXED MEDIA, WOODWORKING, METAL WORKING, PHOTOGRAPHY, AND OTHER MEDIUMS. THE PROGRAM WAS A HUGE SUCCESS AND GAVE US THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHOWCASE OUR HEALING PROCESS WITH AN ENTIRE NEW COMMUNITY OF VETERANS AND CIVILIANS. AS WITH SONGWRITING, WE ALSO INTRODUCED COMMUNITY ART PROGRAMS IN NASHVILLE, TN THAT RANGED FROM COLLAGE AND PAINTING, TO PHOTOGRAPHY AND LEATHERWORKING. THESE SINGLE DAY PROGRAMS ALLOW THOSE LOCAL VETERANS WITH A BUSY SCHEDULE TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN ABOUT ART, MEET OTHER VETERANS AND CREATE SOMETHING HEALING.ALL OF THIS WAS MADE POSSIBLE WITH THE SUPPORT OF OUR GENEROUS DONORS AND SUPPORTERS. DUE TO THIS SUPPORT, WE WERE ABLE TO AFFORD THESE ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS TO BUILD ON TO OUR FOUNDATION FOR THE FUTURE.

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 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 June 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 January 2014.

    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.