Business Consortium for Arts Support
Business Consortium for Arts Support, now known as Arts Alliance, is a Form 990-filing public charity based in Norfolk, Virginia. It supports arts and cultural organizations in South Hampton Roads through grants and also describes its work as providing arts leadership, advocacy, services, and resources to the regional arts community.
Key facts about Business Consortium for Arts Support
In short: Business Consortium for Arts Support gave $574K across 16 grants in 2024 (avg $36K), mostly in Virginia. 0% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990 filing.
- EIN
- 54-1437382
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990 filing, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $574,000
- Grants made (2024)
- 16
- Average grant
- $35,875
- Median grant
- $13,750
- New grantees (estimate)
- 0% first-time grantees (0 of 16, 2024)
- Total assets
- $89,674
- Primary geography
- Virginia (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Deadline
- February 16, 2027 (listed for the 2027 grant program).
- Next open deadline
- February 16, 2027 (Arts Alliance Grants)
Data from IRS Form 990 filing, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990 filing · View filing
Total Assets
$90K
+2.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$574K
-5.7% YoY
Grant Count
16
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$36K
-5.7% YoY
Is Business Consortium for Arts Support open to new grantees?
0%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 0 of 16 grantees (0%) were first-time recipients. How we count
- 100% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−17%). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s stated mission is to foster a strong, vibrant, and inclusive community through arts leadership, advocacy, services, and support. Its 2024 filing states a mission of strengthening major business and foundation support for arts and cultural organizations of South Hampton Roads, and describes its grants as supporting charitable organizations that support the arts or provide cultural experiences to the community.
Its grant guidelines are for nonprofit arts and cultural groups with 501(c)(3) status and fine arts as their primary mission. Examples of grantees’ stated missions include Virginia Stage Company’s work to build community through shared stories; Young Audiences of Virginia’s work to engage students across Virginia in and through the arts; Tidewater Arts Outreach’s use of creative engagement to support older adults and people in isolating circumstances; and d’Art Center’s work connecting artists and the community through visual art.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the organization reported 16 grants totaling $574,000. Grant amounts ranged from $5,500 to $83,850, with a median of $13,750. Major recipients included Chrysler Museum of Art, Virginia Arts Festival, Virginia Opera, and Virginia Symphony, each receiving $83,850 for art support. Virginia Stage Company received $70,950, Young Audiences of Virginia received $40,000, and d’Art Center received $6,500.
Review Cycle
is closed and that the 2027 cycle will open in December 2026; a separate program listing gives a February 16, 2027 deadline.
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from Business Consortium for Arts Support
Ready to take the next step with Business Consortium for Arts Support?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The organization’s grant guidelines cover groups performing or exhibiting in Chesapeake, Franklin, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Virginia Beach, Isle of Wight County, or Southampton County, Virginia. All grant dollars reported for filing year 2024 went to recipients in Virginia.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 16 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $574K (2024) to $693K (2020). In 2024 it made 16 grants totaling $574K.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Chrysler Museum of Art ($84K). Together the top 10 received $529K.
Grant Size Distribution
108 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 83 grants of 108 (77%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Chrysler Museum of Art Norfolk, VA | Art Support | $83,850 |
| Virginia Arts Festival Norfolk, VA | Art Support | $83,850 |
| Virginia Opera Norfolk, VA | Art Support | $83,850 |
| Virginia Symphony Norfolk, VA | Art Support | $83,850 |
| Virginia Stage Company Norfolk, VA | Art Support | $70,950 |
| Museum of Contemporary Art Virginia Beach, VA | Art Support | $45,150 |
| Young Audiences of Virginia Inc Norfolk, VA | Art Support | $40,000 |
| Hermitage Museum Norfolk, VA | Art Support | $15,500 |
| Hurrah Players Norfolk, VA | Art Support | $12,000 |
| Symphonicity Virginia Beach, VA | Art Support | $10,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $89,674 | $760,546 | $758,450 | $574,000 across 16 grants |
| 2023 | $87,578 | $753,353 | $778,518 | $608,750 across 16 grants |
| 2022 | $112,743 | $768,088 | $772,923 | $604,250 across 15 grants |
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $89,674 | $87,578 | $112,743 |
| Revenue | $760,546 | $753,353 | $768,088 |
| Expenses | $758,450 | $778,518 | $772,923 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $71 | $81 | $78 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Walker Phillips as president, Peter Huber as secretary, and Lisa D. Wigginton as vice president/executive director. It also lists Karen Bradley, Scott McCluney, Michael Fowler, David Kamer, Shane Smith, Tom Retnauer, and Lewis W. Webb III as members.
Business Consortium for Arts Support is led by Walker Phillips, President since 2023 (on filings since 2020); 1 of 15 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Walker Phillips
President
President → Member, 2022
Member → President, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lisa D. Wigginton
Vice President & Executive D
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$71K (2020) → $78K (2024)
Karen Bradley
Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Peter Huber
Secretary
Treasurer & Secretary → Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Scott McCluney
Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Shane Smith
Member
Immediate Past President → President, 2022
President → Member, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David Kamer
Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael Fowler
Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Carolyn Phillips
Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Deenen Keegan
Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Eva Fernandez
Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Johnny Jimenez
Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kim McMillan
Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lewis W. Webb III
Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tom Retnauer
Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (4)
- Former: Lewis Georges (2020–2022) — Member
- Former: Susan Saunders (2020–2022) — Member
- Former: Mike Fowler (2020) — Member
- Former: Winthrop A. Short (2020) — Past President
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $78K, to Lisa D Wigginton (Vice President/Executive D).
Contact
Mailing address: 101 West Main Street 4500, Norfolk, VA 23510
Phone: (757) 383-6047
Website: https://artsallianceva.org
Frequently asked questions about Business Consortium for Arts Support
How much does Business Consortium for Arts Support give each year?
Business Consortium for Arts Support gave $574K across 16 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990 filing. In 2023 it gave $609K across 16 grants.
What is Business Consortium for Arts Support's typical grant size?
Business Consortium for Arts Support's median grant in 2024 was $13,750, and its average grant was $35,875, across 16 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990 filing.
Where does Business Consortium for Arts Support give grants?
Business Consortium for Arts Support gives mostly in Virginia: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 filing went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Norfolk, VA (13 grants) and Virginia Beach, VA (3 grants).
Does Business Consortium for Arts Support give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 16 grants with a stated purpose on Business Consortium for Arts Support's 2024 IRS Form 990 filing were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Art Support" (16 grants).
Who are Business Consortium for Arts Support's largest grantees?
Business Consortium for Arts Support's largest 2024 grantees include Chrysler Museum of Art ($83,850), Virginia Arts Festival ($83,850) and Virginia Opera ($83,850), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990 filing. Together they received 44% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Business Consortium for Arts Support?
Business Consortium for Arts Support reported $90K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990 filing. Its revenue that year was $761K.
What does Business Consortium for Arts Support fund?
The organization’s stated mission is to foster a strong, vibrant, and inclusive community through arts leadership, advocacy, services, and support. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Business Consortium for Arts Support?
In filing year 2024, the organization reported 16 grants totaling $574,000. Grant amounts ranged from $5,500 to $83,850, with a median of $13,750. Major recipients included Chrysler Museum of Art, Virginia Arts Festival, Virginia Opera, and Virginia Symphony, each receiving $83,850 for art support.
What is Business Consortium for Arts Support's EIN?
Business Consortium for Arts Support's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 54-1437382. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
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