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Greenville Center for Creative Arts

EIN 46-5542692 · Greenville, SC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak26 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Raising each dollar of donations cost 67 cents.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

THE GREENVILLE CENTER FOR CREATIVE ARTS EXISTS TO ENRICH THE CULTURAL FABRIC OF THE COMMUNITIES WE SERVE BY PROVIDING A NURTURING ENVIRONMENT FOR ART-EDUCATION, APPRECIATION AND ENJOYMENT, AND BY ESTABLISHING A LASTING LEGACY IN THE VISUAL ARTS FOR GREENVILLE COUNTY AND BEYOND. LOCATED IN THE VILLAGE OF WEST GREENVILLE IN THE FORMER HISTORIC BRANDON MILL, THE GREENVILLE CENTER FOR CREATIVE ARTS OPENED ITS DOORS TO THE PUBLIC ON MAY 1, 2015. THE GCCA IS A YEAR-ROUND ART CENTER PROVIDING ART CLASSES, EXHIBITION SPACE, ART STUDIO RENTALS, AND A SUPPORTIVE FACILITY FOR THE LARGER COMMUNITY AND TRI-STATE REGION TO ACCESS AND EXPERIENCE ART IN A DEDICATED CREATIVE SPACE. IN ADDITION TO YEAR-ROUND ART CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS, THE GCCA OFFERS FREE ART ACTIVITIES TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC TO ACCESS ART LECTURES, GALLERY OPENINGS AND KIDS ART ACTIVITIES.

Income
$525,979
Spending
$1.0 million
Spent on programs
64%
Reserves
1.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 50%
Employees
15
Highest pay
$165,280, ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 26 out of 100. Higher than 3% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 29% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 100% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 50% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    64% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 67 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 78% 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

    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 December 31, 2024, 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. $641,023 spent. ART EDUCATION. YEAR - ROUND ART SCHOOL PROVIDING GREENVILLE COUNTY RESIDENTS, TOURISTS, AND VISITORS ACCESS TO ART CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS. WE OFFER CLASSES TO CHILDREN TO SENIOR ADULTS WHO DESIRE TO LEARN A VARIETY OF MEDIUMS INCLUDING PAINTING, DRAWING, CLAY, FIBER, AND JEWELRY. WE OFFER AFTER - SCHOOL PROGRAMS, WEEKEND WORKSHOPS, ADULT CLASSES.
  2. GALLERY AND EXHIBIT SPACE. YEAR-ROUND ART GALLERY AND EXHIBITION SPACE DEDICATED TO SHOWCASING LOCAL AND REGIONAL ARTISTS. VOLUNTEER EXHIBITION COMMITTEE SERVES AS CURATORS OF THE GALLERY AND COORDINATES 6-8 EXHIBITS PER CALENDAR YEAR THAT ARE FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. COORDINATING AND ACCOMPANYING LECTURE IS AVAILABLE MONTHLY AND FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
  3. ART STUDIOS AND COLLABORATION SPACE. YEAR-ROUND ART STUDIO RENTALS FOR 15 WORKING ARTISTS WHO HAVE ACCESS FROM 7:30 AM TO 10:30 PM SEVEN DAYS PER WEEK TO CREATE, MARKET, SELL AND SHOWCASE THEIR DIVERSE ART PORTFOLIOS. THE GCCA FACILITY SUPPORTS INCREASED COMMUNICATION, COLLABORATION AND EVENTS TO SUPPORT THE ARTISTS SELLING THEIR WORK. GCCA OFFERS A BRANDON FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM TO THREE YOUNGER ARTISTS WHO ASPIRE TO HAVE A FULL-TIME CAREER IN ART BUT NEED A SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT THAT PROVIDES A MENTOR, ACCESS TO CLASSES, STIPENDS FOR SUPPLIES AND PAID-FOR STUDIO FOR 12-MONTHS.
  4. $29,808 spent. THE CENTER MAKES THE FACILITY ACCESSIBLE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC FOR VARIOUS PURPOSES. ALL SUCH USAGE IS STRUCTURED TO PROVIDE THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF EXPOSURE TO ART ATMOSPHERE, STUDIO ART, AND GALLERY EXHIBITS. THIS DIRECTLY ENHANCES THE VALUE OF THE CENTER TO THE COMMUNITY AND RAISES AWARENESS OF VISUAL ARTS AND ARTISTS.
  5. THE CENTER MAKES THE FACILITY ACCESSIBLE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC FOR VARIOUS PURPOSES. ALL SUCH USAGE IS STRUCTURED TO PROVIDE THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF EXPOSURE TO ART ATMOSPHERE, STUDIO ART, AND GALLERY EXHIBITS. THIS DIRECTLY ENHANCES THE VALUE OF THE CENTER TO THE COMMUNITY AND RAISES AWARENESS OF VISUAL ARTS AND ARTISTS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 2024.

    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 March 2015.

    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.