Skip to the page content
Passes our checks

Charm City Cultural Cultivation Inc

EIN 88-2809635 · Baltimore, MD

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair64 out of 100GovernanceFair60 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

CHARM CITY CULTURAL CULTIVATION BUILDS OPPORTUNITIES FOR CULTURAL GROWTH IN BALTIMORES INNER CITY WITH PUBLIC PROGRAMS IN THE ARTS, SOCIAL ENGAGEMENTS, AND EDUCATIONAL ADVANCEMENT THROUGH INFORMAL GATHERINGS.

Income
$1.2 million
Spending
$1.3 million
Spent on programs
72%
Reserves
1.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
6
Volunteers
1
Highest pay
$29,058, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending November 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 64 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 10% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 10% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    72% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending November 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Fair: 60 out of 100. Higher than 12% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    0 of 25

    1 of 1 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending November 30, 2024, 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)
  1. $230,345 spent. THE BLACK BALTIMORE DIGITAL DATABASE BBDD IS A COLLABORATIVE COUNTER-INSTITUTIONAL SPACE FOR COLLECTING, STORING AND SAFEKEEPING THE DATA OF LOCAL ARCHIVAL INITIATIVES, FROM THE MORE TRADITIONAL TO THE EXPERIMENTAL. BBDD WILL FOREGROUND ARCHIVAL PROJECTS THAT FEATURE RICH AND UNDER-RECOGNIZED CONTRIBUTIONS OF BLACK FOLKS IN AND AROUND BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, AND PROVIDE ACCESS, ENGAGEMENT AND A SENSE OF AGENCY TO CITIZENS, NEIGHBORS AND VISITORS.
  2. $660,093 spent. ZORAS DEN IS A MULTI-GENERATIONAL PROGRAM DEDICATED TO OFFERING SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT, INSTRUCTION, AND PUBLISHING OPPORTUNITIES FOR BLACK WOMEN WRITERS OF ALL LEVELS. A MONTHLY OPEN MIC, QUARTERLY READING AND WRITING WORKSHOP SERIES, WEEKLY VIRTUAL SISTER CIRCLES AND ANNUAL ANTHOLOGY ARE AMONG THE WAYS WRITERS CAN PARTICIPATE.
  3. $77,069 spent. THE LAST RESORT ARTIST RETREAT TLRAR RESIDENCY IS COMMITTED TO OFFERING THE SPACE AND CURATED-EXPERIENCE CONDUCIVE TO THE REJUVENATION. OUR PRIMARY FOCUS IS TO CREATE SPACE FOR BLACK CREATIVES TO UNDERSTAND AND FOSTER THE LASTING BENEFITS OF WITHDRAWING FROM DISTRACTING ELEMENTS

Source: Form 990 for the year ending November 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending November 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since March 2023.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. 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.