Center for Creative Partnerships
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Center for Creative Partnerships is a Conscience and Social Justice organization that promotes community involvement through the arts and humanities, including civil and human rights. One of the organization's principal goals is to restore and maintain the long-term viability of historical, cultural, and community icons.
- Income
- $1.7 million
- Spending
- $83,017
- Spent on programs
- 92%
- Reserves
- 38.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 96%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 15
- Highest pay
- $64,600, president
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
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 89% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 38.1 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 7% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 95% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 815% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1592% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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: 80 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2512 of 12 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no 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
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 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)
- $76,481 spent. The Center for Creative Partnerships is integral to the redevelopment of the City of Orangeburg, focusing on history, civil rights, the arts, and community, and is part of the Development Team chosen by the City to re-envision Railroad Corner, the historic black business district across from two historically Black Colleges (HBCUs) to include a Civil Rights Museum. The Center has secured ownership of All-Star Bowling Lanes and will preserve this important African American Heritage Site as a historic site, a community asset, and a state-of-the-art Bowling Center, creating the first Civil Rights Bowling Lanes/Justice Center, on the national African American Civil Rights Network. It will honor the victims of one of the most violent episodes in the civil rights movement, while creating a bowling center for fun and reconciliation for the community and the universities, attracting visitors from around the world. Phase I is supported by a $500,000 African American Civil Rights grant in the amount of $500,000 from the Historic Preservation Fund administered by the National Park Service, Department of the Interior.HISTORYCenter for Creative Partnerships was created in the late 1990s by Ellen Zisholtz and historic preservation Architect, Craig Morrison. The first project was the development of strategic and marketing plans for restoring and operating the historic Alamo Theatre in conjunction with the Smith Robertson Museum as the centerpiece for the preservation of Farish Street as an African American Cultural/Entertainment District. Alamo Theatre restoration: Canizarro, Cawthorn & Davis Architects. A similar project followed in Charlottesville, Virginia with the restoration of the historic Paramount Theater as the centerpiece for the redevelopment of cultural Charlottesville. In New York City, as Director of the Rod Rodgers Dance Company, Ellen worked with the City of N.Y. to restore a historic city building and with Cooper Square Committee, cultural groups, and area residents to preserve and develop affordable, environmentally healthy housing in conjunction with cultural spaces on 4th Street near LaMama. She developed and managed a cultural building with the 4th Street Theater in the lobby, Duo Teatro on the second floor, and Rod Rodgers Dance Company and dance studio on the third floor. Later, as Managing Director of INTAR, International Arts Relations, when Theater Row was renovated, a space was provided by the City to renovate as a theatre at 52nd Street and 10th Avenue and she supervised the early renovation.PURPOSEThe purpose of the Center for Creative Partnerships is to:Serve the community and its young people by establishing educational and cultural facilities and opportunities;Encourage critical thinking, creative skills, and social consciousness;Assist with planning for community development focusing on history, equity, tourism, and cultural opportunities. In order to carry out its mission and purpose, the Center for Creative Partnerships enters into partnerships, collaborative programs, and consultancies with individuals and organizations including cities, communities, museums, theaters, and schools.STRATEGYSince the firm works through partnerships and collaborations, we are able to select the best people and organizations for each project. The Board of Trustees and Advisory Council are comprised of respected experts in a variety of fields including preservation architecture, economic and community development and encompasses civil rights heroes, community leaders, and University Presidents. Center for Creative Partnerships has a successful history of using the arts and humanities for social justice and civil rights initiatives including the 50th Anniversary of Freedom Summer Committee; Exhibition and youth workshops at Meridian Museum of Art; Social Justice Medal in Philadelphia, MS commemorating Andrew Goodman, James Chaney and Mickey Schwerner; Civil Rights Symposium at Penn Center, SC.CAPABILITIESCenter for Creative Partnerships has worked in all of the arts, education, community development, community planning, and restoration of arts buildings in a variety of cities. Center for Creative Partnerships is a 501(c)3 organization with successful experience in grant writing, serving on federal grant panels, and developing regrant programs. Center for Creative Partnerships has successful experience working with student interns.
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
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 June 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 November 2022.
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.
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