The Center for Cultural Innovation (CCI) is a California 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2001 and headquartered in Los Angeles. CCI operates as a public charity dedicated to strengthening the economic and social infrastructure for artists, culture bearers, and creative entrepreneurs. The organization serves creative communities across the United States through a combination of direct financial support, educational programming, research, and innovative project incubation.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$17.3M
+10.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.3M
+0.9% YoY
Grant Count
30
-42.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$78K
+74.9% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
CCI's mission is to support individuals in the arts—artists, culture bearers, and creative entrepreneurs—to realize greater self-determination so as to unfetter their productivity, free expression, and social impact, which contributes to shaping the nation's collective identity in ways that reflect the diversity of society.
The organization promotes knowledge sharing, networking, and financial independence for creative professionals by providing:
Business Training & Professional Development: CCI produces an average of 20-30 free and low-cost workshops annually attended by artists and arts workers across all disciplines and career stages. The signature "Business of Art" professional development series is accompanied by CCI's textbook (third edition released in 2024).
Strategic Investment Programs: CCI manages regional and statewide re-grant programs including CALI Catalyst, Creative Industries Incentive Fund, Investing in Artists, Quick Grants, and Zoo Labs: FUND. The organization also administers the SCI Artist-Innovator Fund (supporting artist-entrepreneurs with spinal cord injuries) and AmbitioUS (supporting alternative economic systems and artists' financial self-determination).
Knowledge Building & Networking: CCI develops new knowledge, networks, and tools for individuals in the arts through research and field convening.
CCI's work is grounded in research findings, including the landmark 2003 study Investing in Creativity: A Study of the Support Structure for U.S. Artists (Urban Institute) and the 2016 national report Creativity Connects: Trends and Conditions Affecting U.S. Artists (produced in collaboration with the National Endowment for the Arts).
Grantmaking
CCI operates multiple grant programs with varying award sizes and eligibility criteria:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
CCI has a national reach but maintains particular strength in California. The organization serves creative communities across the United States, with specific programming in:
- Los Angeles (headquarters)
- Bay Area (including San Francisco, San Jose, Marin, Napa, Solano, and Sonoma counties)
- Los Angeles County
- Statewide California initiatives
Recent grant activity indicates funding in California, Missouri, and Massachusetts.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent Financial Data (2025):
- Total Assets: $17,293,720
- Total Revenues: $25,285,529
- Total Expenses: $23,461,225
- Total Giving: $19,312,785
- Staff: 17 employees
Contact Information:
- Administrative Office (Los Angeles): 213-687-8577
- Bay Area Office: 415-288.0530
- Email: info@cciarts.org
- Website: www.cciarts.org
- Address: 244 S San Pedro St, Los Angeles, CA 90012-3814
- EIN: 91-2156812
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $17,293,720 | $15,692,980 | $18,966,303 |
| Revenue | $25,285,529 | $3,079,757 | $8,534,816 |
| Expenses | $23,461,225 | $6,247,204 | $5,978,761 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $384,180 | $387,939 | $131,693 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
Grant Size Distribution
183 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
4 open opportunities from Center for Cultural Innovation
CCI Quick Grant
Center for Cultural Innovation
Amount
Up to US $600
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Investing in Artists: Tools & Equipment Grant
Center for Cultural Innovation
Amount
US $1,000 - US $5,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
LA Arts Community Fire Relief Fund
Center for Cultural Innovation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Laura Poppiti serves as Deputy Director.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Angie Kim | Member | 40 | $191,100 |
| Edgar Hirst | Treasurer/Secretary | 0.52 | — |
| Lorna Lathram | President | 0.52 | — |
| Sally Jo Fifer | Vice President | 0.52 | — |
| Sage Crump | Board Member | 0.52 | — |
| abdiel j lopez | Board Member | 0.52 | — |
| Lisa Funderburke | Board Member | 0.52 | — |
| Lavastian Glenn | Board Member | 0.52 | — |
| Lauren Bailey | Employee | 40 | $182,625 |
| Catherine Fox | Employee | 40 | $160,958 |
| Laura Poppiti | Employee | 40 | $178,833 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
CCI continues to expand its programming and reach:
The third edition of *Business of Art: An Artist's Guide to Profitable Self-Employment* was reprinted in 2024, providing knowledge, tools, and resources for artists across all disciplines.
CCI received a $17,000 grant from the California Arts Council (2017-18) for the Statewide and Regional Networks program, which funded monthly professional development grant opportunities, artist activist workshops in Los Angeles County and the Bay Area, and a network convening in Stockton.
THE CENTER FOR CULTURAL INNOVATION - California Arts CouncilThe organization has archived numerous webinars on topics including copyright claims, NFTs and smart contracts, creative cooperatives, and emergency preparedness for artists.
CCI maintains active partnerships and grantmaking relationships, as evidenced by recent grants to organizations like Historic Clayborn Temple and the Boston Ujima Project.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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