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Virginia Public Arts Inc

EIN 92-1181680 · Norfolk, VA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair60 out of 100GovernanceFair66 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Only 6% of its spending went to programs.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

TO REVOLUTIONIZE LIVE PERFORMANCE ART, MAKING IT UNIVERSALLY ACCESSIBLE AND IN DOING SO, BUILD A WORLD IN WHICH THE MAGIC OF THEATER CAN REACH, ENRICH, AND CONNECT ALL PEOPLE.

Income
$311,562
Spending
$285,799
Spent on programs
6%
Reserves
2.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 61%
Employees
2
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$82,494, executive producer

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 60 out of 100. Higher than 28% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 145% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    6% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Fair: 66 out of 100. Higher than 42% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    0 of 25

    0 of 0 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

    6 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 December 31, 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. $5,924 spent. BROUGHT 53 LIVE EXPERIENCES, INCLUDING PRODUCTIONS, CLASSES, AND WORKSHOPS, TO LIFE ACROSS HAMPTON ROADS, SHARING THOSE MOMENTS WITH CLOSE TO 3,750 ATTENDEES AND WORKING WITH MORE THAN 100 ARTISTS. APPROXIMATELY 65% OF THESE EXPERIENCES WERE FREE OF CHARGE.
  2. $11,848 spent. PRODUCED AND PRESENTED TWO SOLD OUT PRODUCTIONS - HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH, AND ROSIE THE RIVETER.
  3. PARTNERED WITH A WIDE RANGE OF COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS INCLUDING TEENS WITH A PURPOSE, UTOPIA FENI, HAMPTON ROADS PRIDE, QUEER FILM FESTIVAL, VIRGINIA MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART, ZEIDERS AMERICAN DREAM THEATER, VIRGINIA BEACH DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS, VIRGINIA BEACH CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS, CHESAPEAKE CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS, VIRGINIA WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY, OLD DOMINION UNIVERSITY, AND THE VIRGINIA THEATRE ASSOCIATION.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 November 6, 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 December 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 December 2022.

    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 November 4, 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.