Kindling Arts Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Kindling Arts supports innovative artists working in contemporary forms that challenge the limitations of conventional art and performance, providing audiences with exceptional experiences made possible through singular and often unclassifiable collaborations. Focusing on artists rooted in Middle Tennessee and the Southeast region, Kindling Arts will create a network for professional growth and artistic exchange in the contemporary South. This service to artists fills a gap in the cultural landscape, providing local creators with a home to experiment with the creation of new work and explore interdisciplinary collaborations in a safe, encouraging environment. By fostering an inclusive, artist-centered process, facilitating developmental opportunities, and providing producing support through an annual Festival and unique year-round programming, Kindling Arts will continue to raise Nashville's reputation as an extraordinary artistic force in the national cultural landscape.
- Income
- $286,760
- Spending
- $151,424
- Spent on programs
- 90%
- Reserves
- 11.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 50%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 32
- Highest pay
- $9,250, executive dir.
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
Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 78% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 11.9 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 47% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 110% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1590% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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: 76 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2513 of 13 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
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
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 (5)
- $111,214 spent. The organization produced and presented Kindling Arts Festival 2025: Fortunes & Fates, a four-day festival of original contemporary performance featuring 19 all-local projects across 8 Nashville venues. The festival supported independent artists through the development, presentation, and public promotion of new multidisciplinary works, including theater, dance, aerial performance, music, comedy, interactive events, and experimental performance. This program furthered the organizations exempt purpose by creating paid presentation opportunities for local artists, increasing public access to contemporary performing arts, and strengthening Nashvilles independent arts community.
- $10,400 spent. The organization produced an annual immersive performance event, The Disco Ball, to support local independent artists and expand public engagement with contemporary and experimental performance. The event featured multidisciplinary performances, DJ sets, dance, drag, theater, and interactive artistic activations by Nashville-area artists. The program provided artists with performance opportunities, community exposure, and financial support through proceeds directed toward new works presented at the Kindling Arts Festival. This program furthered the organizations exempt purpose by supporting the creation, presentation, and accessibility of innovative local performing arts.
- $8,566 spent. The organization produced and presented a seasonal community performance program, Kindlings Very Special Holiday Special, featuring live theatrical performances by local artists in conjunction with a public holiday film screening. The program incorporated original performance elements, comedy, music, and theatrical interpretation to create an accessible multidisciplinary arts experience for the community. This program furthered the organizations exempt purpose by providing performance opportunities for independent artists, supporting local creative work, and engaging the public through inclusive community-based arts programming.
- $5,000 spent. Thrive Projects Development supported fiscally sponsored artist projects, with grant-funded activity continuing into 2026.
- $399 spent. The organization produced and presented an original theatrical work, East Nashville Facebook Page: The Musical, as part of its commitment to supporting contemporary performance and local independent artists. The production featured original writing, music, choreography, live performance, and production support from Nashville-area artists. Through public performances, the program created paid artistic opportunities, increased visibility for locally developed work, and engaged audiences with accessible, community-based theater. This program furthered the organizations exempt purpose by supporting the creation, presentation, and public accessibility of new performing arts.
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 September 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.
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.