Virginia Community Voice
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
To equip neighbors in marginalized communities to realize their vision for their community and to prepare institutions to respond effectively.
- Income
- $1.1 million
- Spending
- $1.1 million
- Spent on programs
- 82%
- Reserves
- 1.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 78%
- Employees
- 14
- Highest pay
- $88,503, exec. director
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
Fair: 68 out of 100. Higher than 43% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 1.9 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 6% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 29% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1582% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 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
Good: 78 out of 100. Higher than 29% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 257 of 8 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
0 of 7Reports no 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
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
0 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (1)
- $915,072 spent. STEERING COMMITTEE Members advanced the implementation of VACVs Peoples Budget. The winning project, Arts for Safer Streets, will create one or two street murals to beautify intersections and encourage safer driving. Hosted quarterly gatherings to bring RVA Thrives members together and share our work with the wider community. Partnered with ARCA to survey residents on the design of Broad Rock Creek Park. Welcomed two new members to the Steering Committee, expanding cultural, age, and geographic diversity. GREENING WORKING GROUP A solar-powered rain catchment system was installed at Hickory Hills in July 2025. Beginning construction of compost cages at Oak Grove and Hickory Hill New signs have been installed in the gardens to promote garden education at: Oak Grove, Davee Gardens, Cullenwood, Bellemeade, Blackwell. ARCA Youth have been engaged into the Garden Steward Program. Created a video series on how to plant a tree. HOUSING WORKING GROUP Advanced the Equitable Development Scorecard to ensure fair planning across City Council Districts 5, 6, 8, and 9. Met with Mayor Avula and Councilor Nicole Jones, gaining their support for more equitable development practices. Engaged in the Citys Code Refresh process, advocating for zoning updates that benefit Southside residents. Supported Harper and Associates City Central rezoningwith the condition that community voices guide the projects design and amenities. Adopted flooding as a new focus, launching efforts to understand and address chronic flooding HEALING HUB DESIGN TEAMSpring 2025: Focused on building political will for the Center for Rest and Well-Being, meeting with School Board Representative Mr. Jafari (8th District) and attending the School Property Vacancy Committee. Summer 2025: Visited Sankofa Community Orchard and provided key feedback on a programming proposal that will support grant applications for our upcoming pilot programs. Fall 2025: Hosted a community meeting to announce our upcoming pilot programming ARCA YOUTH PROGRAM Engaged 24 students through partnerships with the City of Richmond, Timmons Group, Greening, and local artists to design and create placemaking art and signage for the Hickory Hill Garden and our Q3 Event. Kicked off the year with students maintaining the Rock Garden and painting new rocks to refresh the space. Collaborated with Mending Walls (Hamilton Glass organization) on a mural project where students learned about empathy and expressed it through painting rocks with positive, encouraging messages for the community. Supported the Q3 event, where students helped set up, hosted a table, and one student served as event photographer. LEADERSHIP ACADEMY Launched our first Leadership Academy (LA) cohort in February with nearly 20 participants. 16 members graduated from the first cohort and several transitioned into VACV working groups. Recruited 16 new neighbors into the second cohort in July, with 14 graduating. Expanded our reach across Southside, Petersburg, and Richmondraising awareness and building new alliances. Strengthened community connections through member-led events such as Wonneases Resource Fair and Nancys Fundraiser. Explored Latina leadership through creativity during our visit to the Frida Kahlo exhibit. TRAINING + COACHING PROGRAM Launched our first-ever Human-Centered Workplace Cohort in March, with 8 participants joining! Our Latinx Training was a powerful example of our commitment to protecting and supporting our immigrant neighbors.
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 June 2019.
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.