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:
Ready to take the next step with Center for Cultural Innovation?
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
Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest include Beloved Economies Llc ($500,000), Ekvnv Yefolecvlke ($300,000), East Bay Permanent Real Estate Cooperative Inc ($250,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| HISTORIC CLAYBORN TEMPLE MEMPHIS, TN | AMBITIOUS PROGRAM | $150,000 |
| VOICE OF CALVARY MINISTRIES JACKSON, MS | AMBITIOUS PROGRAM | $75,000 |
| NEXUS COMMUNITY PARTNERS SAINT PAUL, MN | AMBITIOUS PROGRAM | $75,000 |
| SUSTAINABLE MARKETS FOUNDATION NEW YORK, NY | AMBITIOUS PROGRAM | $75,000 |
| EKVNV YEFOLECVLKE WEOGUFKA, AL | AMBITIOUS PROGRAM | $300,000 |
| SOLIDAIRE NETWORK INC OAKLAND, CA | AMBITIOUS PROGRAM | $25,000 |
| SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIES LAW CENTER OAKLAND, CA | AMBITIOUS PROGRAM | $75,000 |
| EAST BAY PERMANENT REAL ESTATE COOPERATIVE INC OAKLAND, CA | AMBITIOUS PROGRAM | $250,000 |
| ROANHORSE CONSULTING LLC ALBUQUERQUE, NM | AMBITIOUS PROGRAM | $50,000 |
| SEVEN FIRES NEW HAVEN, MO | AMBITIOUS PROGRAM | $50,000 |
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
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Center for Cultural Innovation fund?
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…
How do I apply for a grant from Center for Cultural Innovation?
CCI operates multiple grant programs with varying award sizes and eligibility criteria: **Active Grant Programs:** • **Quick Grant**: Provides professional development funds up to $600 to California artists, creatives, cultural practitioners, cultural producers, and San Francisco/San Jose nonprofit arts administrators. Applications accepted monthly by the 15th. • **Investing in Artists: Tools & Equipment Grant**: Supports diverse Bay Area artists in performing and media arts. The 2026 round is …
Where does Center for Cultural Innovation make 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.
What size grants does Center for Cultural Innovation award?
In 2025, Center for Cultural Innovation awarded 30 grants totaling $2.3M — an average of about $78K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Center for Cultural Innovation's EIN?
Center for Cultural Innovation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 91-2156812. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Center for Cultural Innovation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
The Zellerbach Family Foundation
SAN FRANCISCO, CA
Assets
$163.6M
Grants
224
Total Given
$6.0M
The William & Flora Hewlett Foundation
MENLO PARK, CA
Assets
$14.2B
Grants
2,001
Total Given
$625.0M
The San Francisco Foundation
SAN FRANCISCO, CA
Assets
$1.7B
Grants
1,623
Total Given
$189.1M
Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program
SOUTHEASTERN, PA
Assets
$22.2B
Grants
24,269
Total Given
$3.0B
East Bay Community Foundation
OAKLAND, CA
Assets
$531.1M
Grants
794
Total Given
$114.6M
National Philanthropic Trust
JENKINTOWN, PA
Assets
$42.2B
Grants
18,583
Total Given
$5.1B
Kenneth Rainin Foundation
OAKLAND, CA
Assets
$642.2M
Grants
294
Total Given
$21.9M
Silicon Valley Community Foundation
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA
Assets
$12.3B
Grants
3,576
Total Given
$3.2B
Tides Foundation
SAN FRANCISCO, CA
Assets
$534.5M
Grants
2,110
Total Given
$382.1M
Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc
INDIANAPOLIS, IN
Assets
$9.1B
Grants
19,253
Total Given
$1.2B
Impactassetsinc
BETHESDA, MD
Assets
$3.0B
Grants
2,733
Total Given
$580.1M
Phyllis C Wattis Foundation
SAN FRANCISCO, CA
Assets
$9.3M
Grants
42
Total Given
$484K
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Center for Cultural Innovation on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities
Go from researching Center for Cultural Innovation to a real strategy.