First Coast Cultural Center Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- Only 35% of its spending went to programs.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
To bring the arts into the community through arts education, exhibitions, and outreach, and by honoring a donor-driven philosphy.
- Income
- $475,086
- Spending
- $616,302
- Spent on programs
- 35%
- Reserves
- -17.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 46%
- Employees
- 3
- Volunteers
- 25
- Highest pay
- $32,171, former president
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 12 out of 100. Higher than 0% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 47% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 30% of income.
Spending floor
0 of 1535% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 43 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 89% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 257 of 7 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 (3)
- $178,534 spent. Classes and workshops: Our classes offer an intimate, exceptional learning experience in an inspiring setting with locally and nationally recognized artists and educators and provide multi-faceted curriculum from novice to advanced levels. This extends maximum accessibility of programs that strive to develop the individual s artistic interests and abilities. In addition to our on-site programming, we offer a wide scope of educational opportunities for underserved communities throughout nearby counties. Our center s outreach efforts are targeted at reaching underserved children and adults by bringing high-quality arts education and artistic experiences to community centers and rehabilitation centers. Our outreach department fulfills our mission by hiring highly qualified art instructors, purchasing professional art supplies, and providing educational hands-on instruction for several longstanding programs.
- $38,480 spent. Sound Connections Music Therapy: We have been the leading non-profit arts organization that has made music therapy for children with special needs a priority in our surrounding areas. In 2006, we started a small pilot program, which has become a vital resource for children with varied disabilities. We have extended to a total of eight schools, which includes three Title I schools: Webster Elementary, Osceola Elementary, and First Coast Technical College (Pre-K Headstart Program). Due to a decrease in donors towards this program, our organization will be placing a haitus on SCMT services after 2024 for further fundraising efforts.
- Market and Art Sales - We present artists work in our galleries with opening receptions or market them in our Gift Shop. During our exhibiting receptions, the artists are also available for one-on-one opportunities for questions and answers about their creative process. The galleries are free to attend for our community to support our local artists. Our artists receive 60% commission while the 40% goes towards the organization s mission to promote arts education.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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 September 7, 2026.
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 September 30, 2026.
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 September 10, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since July 1995.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
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 7, 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.