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African American Cultural Center

EIN 47-2697273 · Pittsburgh, PA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair65 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF THE AUGUST WILSON AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURAL CENTER IS TO OWN AND OPERATE A HOME FOR THE ARTS, STORYTELLING, LEARNING AND EXCHANGE AROUND THE AFRICAN AMERICAN EXPERIENCE AND THE RICH CULTURE OF THE AFRICAN DIASPORA. THE AWAACC IS A NOT-FOR-PROFIT ARTS AND CULTURE ORGANIZATION THAT OFFERS A VARIETY OF VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS PROGRAMS, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND EDUCATION INITIATIVES TO DIVERSE AUDIENCES, INCLUDING SCHOOL AGED STUDENTS, FAMILIES, AND SENIOR CITIZENS. MANY VISUAL ART EXPERIENCES HAVE EDUCATIONAL CURRICULUM BUILT WITHIN IT, PROVIDING A DEEPER DIVE INTO THE ART WORK AND THE ARTIST. THE AWAACC ALSO PROVIDES A YOUTH WRITERS CAMP, FAMILY COMMUNITY DAY EVENTS, AND SPECIAL VISUAL ART TOURS.

Income
$7.8 million
Spending
$6.9 million
Spent on programs
65%
Reserves
-1.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 79%
Employees
114
Volunteers
100
Highest pay
$274,756, president & 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

Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 39% 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

    20 of 20

    It owes 10% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 11% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 23% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    65% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 12 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 14 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

    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 (1)
  1. $4.5 million spent. THE AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURAL CENTER (AACC) WAS FORMED BY THREE FOUNDATIONS IN PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA TO ACQUIRE A BUILDING KNOWN AS THE AUGUST WILSON CENTER (CENTER) OUT OF RECEIVERSHIP. THE AACC EXISTS TO OWN, OPERATE AND PRESERVE THE CENTER AS A VIBRANT COMMUNITY ASSET FOCUSED PRIMARILY ON PRODUCING AND PRESENTING AFRICAN AMERICAN ARTS AND CULTURAL PROGRAMMING TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC. THE CENTER INCLUDES SEVEN EXHIBITION GALLERIES, A 486 SEAT THEATER, AN EDUCATION CENTER, A 4,000 SQUARE FOOT GALLERY FOR ART EXHIBITS, AND MULTIPLE-USE SPACES FOR COMMUNITY EVENTS.

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.