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Virginia African American Cultural Center

EIN 47-5250120 · Virginia Bch, VA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood88 out of 100GovernanceGood71 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

To collect, preserve, interpret, inform and celebrate Virginia's African American history, culture and community and to educate the public about African American contributions in all areas of endeavor.

Income
$481,945
Spending
$391,956
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
8.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 66%
Employees
1
Volunteers
20
Highest pay
$14,195, executive director

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

Good: 88 out of 100. Higher than 73% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 19% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 9% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    83% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Good: 71 out of 100. Higher than 47% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    0 of 9 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

    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, 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 (4)
  1. $78,000 spent. "Truth Be Told" is a podcast produced by Heard Productions that explores the stories of historically black neighborhoods in Virginia. The podcast aims to highlight the experiences of African Americans and the influence of racism and classism on their lives. It features personal narratives that connect listeners to local history, providing a unique perspective on the community's experiences. The project is supported by the Virginia African American Cultural Center and focuses on telling stories that resonate with the audience, fostering understanding and engagement with the community's history
  2. $40,000 spent. The partnership with VAACC will allow the 122-year-old newspaper which is Virginia's oldest Black weekly publication to digitalize a selected portion of its vast historic photo collection with the accompanying newspaper articles that are preserved on microfilm and digital files. These will then be placed in a searchable database for preservation and scholarly research.
  3. $30,000 spent. The Virginia African American History Tour in collaboration with Virginia African American Cultural Center was developed to celebrate Black History by taking a self-guided driving tour of Hampton, Virginia's rich African American heritage sites. The 400 Years Forward driving tour explores the location of the first landing of Africans on American soil, where the first Southern reading of the Emancipation Proclamation happened, Virginia's only known African American missionary chapel, and more. These African American heritage sites are a must for any black history interest.
  4. $177,930 spent. Young Peoples Guild, Arts for Learning, Poetry Jackson, Men of Faith & ViBe Creative District are organizations that focus of our youth. Dedicated to nurturing the spiritual, moral, and social development of young members with various activities, including Bible studies, community service, leadership training, and opportunities for involvement within the church community Norfolk-based Arts for Learning Virginia (A4L Virginia) has been bringing arts-in-education programs to schoolchildren in Virginia since 1955. Starting with a single string ensemble and a handful of volunteers, today the organization is the leading provider of quality arts programming in the Commonwealth, offering culturally diverse programs in music, dance, theater, and literary and visual arts. Welcome to the captivating world of Poetry Jackson. Immerse yourself in vibrant colors, emotive narratives, and captivating compositions. Discover a collection where each piece tells a unique story, inviting you to explore creativity without limits. Join us on a journey of inspiration and wonder. Welcome to Poetry Jackson's world of artistry. Men Of Faith is an educational organization in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The ViBe Creative District in Virginia Beach is a vibrant hub for artists, businesses, and cultural events. Established in 2015, it serves as a creative outlet, featuring over 450 public art installations, weekly and monthly events, and a variety of local businesses. The district aims to foster economic growth and community engagement, making it a significant cultural and economic center in Hampton Roads

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 October 2016.

    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.