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The Virginia Arts Festival Inc

EIN 54-1786140 · Norfolk, VA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceGood75 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF THE VIRGINIA ARTS FESTIVAL IS TO BRING WORLD-CLASS PERFORMING ARTS TO OUR CITIZENS AND VISITORS, IMPACT THE LIVES OF STUDENTS THROUGH OUTSTANDING EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, COMMISSION NEW WORKS OF NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE, AND MAKE A TANGIBLE DIFFERENCE IN HAMPTON ROADS THROUGH REGIONAL PARTNERSHIPS AND CULTURAL TOURISM.

Income
$19.5 million
Spending
$12.4 million
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
4.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 64%
Employees
87
Volunteers
582
Highest pay
$282,408, 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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 62% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 37% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 19% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 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

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 5% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    29 of 29 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no 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 (1)
  1. $9.8 million spent. DURING THE PERIOD OF JULY 1, 2024 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2025, THE VIRGINIA ARTS FESTIVAL PRODUCED 72 EVENTS: 62 TICKETED PERFORMANCES AND 10 FREE EVENTS. THERE WERE MORE THAN 53,600 PATRONS ATTENDING TICKETED EVENTS AND MORE THAN 28,200 ATTENDING FREE EVENTS WITH VISITORS FROM 45 STATES AND WASHINGTON, D.C. AND 9 INTERNATIONAL COUNTRIES. THERE WERE 10 SOLD OUT PERFORMANCES . THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HAD 103 EVENTS (COMPRISED OF MASTERCLASSES, OPEN DRESS REHERSALS, AND PERFORMANCES), WITH LOCAL STUDENT PARTICIPATION OF 27,943, FROM 140 SCHOOLS IN 18 CITY/DISTRICTS.

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 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 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 February 1996.

    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.