Rise Arts Center of Baltimore Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.
- It owes more than it owns.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
RISE nutures the well-being and the creative skill set of both neurodivergent and neurotypical youth and young adults in underserved communities through a quality arts education.
- Income
- $282,077
- Spending
- $322,873
- Spent on programs
- 52%
- Reserves
- -0.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 89%
- Employees
- 6
- Volunteers
- 52
- Highest pay
- $40,335, executive 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
Weak: 17 out of 100. Higher than 1% 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
0 of 20It owes 107% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 14% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 15% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1552% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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: 74 out of 100. Higher than 52% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
18 of 253 of 3 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
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
0 of 10Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, 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 (15)
- $136,165 spent. RISE Performing Arts Summer Camp is a 6-week immersive arts program designed to nuture creativity, confidence, and collaboration youth age 5-14 Participants engage in dynamic creative tracks, including perform arts, visual and prop design, product innovation, and therapeutic arts while also strengthening literacy and social-emotional skills through arts integration. Each day is rooted in community-building, self- expression, and hands-on learning. The experience culminates in a full staged musical production at a professional theatre, where every young person contributes onstage or behind the scenes, showcasing their grow artistic voice, and collective brilliance, demonstrated by serving 30 campers with 100% increased confidence, 82% improvement in reading and writing skills, and culminating in a live youth-led production that brought a high-quality performing arts experience to West Baltimore, reaching an
- $16,945 spent. RISE Legacy Arts Academy is a year-round creative career pathway prog designed for teens and young adults seeking to build sustainable futures in the arts. Through paid opportunities, professional mentorship, and hands-on training in areas such as technical theatre, stagecraft design, and product innovation, participants gain real- world experience and industry exposure. The program emphasizes entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and portfolio development, equip young creatives with the tools to launch businesses, secure employment and lead within the creative economy. Legacy Arts Academy serves as both a training ground and a launchpad, empowering the next generation of artists, innovators, and cultural leaders,demonstrated by its impact serving 60 youth ages 14-21, with 90% securing paid employment and 85% continuing to college majoring in urban arts
- $9,560 spent. RISE for Acceptance is a signature community-centered experience that celebrates neurodiversity through art, storytelling, and connection. This annual event brings together families, artists, educators, and advocates to uplift the voices and talents of autistic and neurodivergent individuals. Through live performances, visual art showcases, interactive workshops, and access to community resources, the event createa a vibrant and affirming space where individuals are seen, valued, and celebrated. At its core, RISE for Acceptance is not just an event, it is a movement to shift perspectives, foster belongin and build a more inclusive and equitable community, demonstrated by its impact serving over 400 community members while celebrating and amplifying the work of autistic visual and performing artists.
- $449 spent. Grantor-Related Workshops for enrichment
- $922 spent. Community Outreach including Bromo Art Walk, Black Comic Art Club, Open Studio Sessions
- $2,174 spent. Afterschool programming including Musical Theatre Experience, and St Josephs aftercare program
- $475 spent. Field Trips including Port Discovery, Shrek the Musical, and The Lion King on Broadway
- Expenses: $449.00 including grants of: $0.00 Revenue: $1000.00
- Grantor-Related Workshops for enrichment
- Expenses: $922.00 including grants of: $0.00 Revenue: $4874.00
- Community Outreach including Bromo Art Walk, Black Comic Art Club,
- Expenses: $2174.00 including grants of: $0.00 Revenue: $623.00
- Afterschool programming including Musical Theatre Experience, and
- Expenses: $475.00 including grants of: $0.00 Revenue: $404.00
- Field Trips including Port Discovery, Shrek the Musical, and
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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since September 2019.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.