Cincinnati Institute of Fine Arts, operating as **ArtsWave**, is the Greater Cincinnati region's leading local arts agency and the nation's first and largest united arts fund. Founded in 1927, the organization supports over 100 arts organizations throughout the Greater Cincinnati region through funding, services, and advocacy. ArtsWave operates as a 501(c)(3) public charity with 26 employees.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$137.7M
+8.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$9.6M
-5.2% YoY
Grant Count
82
+13.9% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$118K
-16.8% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission Statement: With funding, services and advocacy, ArtsWave fuels a more vibrant regional economy and connected community through the arts.
ArtsWave's primary program areas include:
Grantmaking: Management of an annual community campaign for the arts that provides financial grants to organizations throughout the Greater Cincinnati Region. Distributions support a wide variety of arts and culture groups reflecting and benefiting the community in all its diversity.
Measuring Impact: Collection of data measuring the impact of the arts as local arts organizations create economic vitality, vibrant neighborhoods, and a more connected community.
Marketing the Impact of the Arts: Organization of free samplings of visual and performing arts at multiple venues across the regional community, community engagement events connecting people through the arts, and development of marketing and public relations strategy building broad support for the arts.
Grantmaking
ArtsWave administers multiple grant programs:
Grant Range
s:** Typical awards range from $5,400 to $3,439,289.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
ArtsWave funds organizations throughout the Greater Cincinnati Region, with specific grant programs extending to Northern Kentucky. Grant-making focuses primarily on Ohio, Kentucky, and New York.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Fiscal Year 2024 (most recent filing):
- Total Assets: $137,652,802
- Total Revenues: $14,874,545
- Total Expenses: $14,790,024
- Number of Employees: 26
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $137,652,802 | $126,905,760 | $122,467,170 |
| Revenue | $14,874,545 | $12,271,327 | $34,213,891 |
| Expenses | $14,790,024 | $15,213,145 | $24,471,348 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $1,919,789 | $-533,214 | $10,406,023 |
| 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 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
12 open opportunities from Cincinnati Institute of Fine Arts
ArtsWave Circle Grants
Cincinnati Institute of Fine Arts
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
ArtsWave Inspire Artist Grants
Cincinnati Institute of Fine Arts
Amount
Varies
Deadline
October 27, 2026
ArtsWave Pride Grant Program
Cincinnati Institute of Fine Arts
Amount
Up to US $25,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra ($2,331,720), Cincinnati Museum Association ($1,267,000), Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park ($1,055,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra Cincinnati, OH | Sustaining Impact Grant | $2,331,720 |
| Cincinnati Museum Association Cincinnati, OH | Sustaining Impact Grant | $1,267,000 |
| Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park Cincinnati, OH | Sustaining Impact Grant | $1,055,000 |
| Cincinnati Ballet Cincinnati, OH | Sustaining Impact Grant | $820,684 |
| Cincinnati Opera Association Cincinnati, OH | Sustaining Impact Grant | $683,850 |
| Taft Museum of Art Cincinnati, OH | Sustaining Impact Grant | $322,919 |
| Contemporary Arts Center Cincinnati, OH | Sustaining Impact Grant | $290,600 |
| Art Opportunities Inc Cincinnati, OH | Sustaining Impact Grant | $273,000 |
| The Children's Theatre of Cincinnati Cincinnati, OH | Sustaining Impact Grant | $266,910 |
| Cincinnati Music Festival Assoc Cincinnati, OH | Sustaining Impact Grant | $217,900 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
President & CEO: Alecia Kintner
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leigh Fox | Chair | 2 | — |
| Deborah Hayes | Vice Chair | 2 | — |
| Matthew Stautberg | Treasurer | 2 | — |
| Kala Gibson | Secretary | 2 | — |
| Jeff Ahrnsen | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Tysonn Betts | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Carri Chandler | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Melanie M Chavez | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Brendon J Cull | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Kathy DeLaura | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Philip Duncan | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Charles H Gerhardt III | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Agnes Godwin Hall | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Mel Gravely | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Michelle S Hershey | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Vada Hill | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Todd M Immell | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Danielle D Ivory | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Craig Jackson | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Priya Dhingra Klocek | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Jamie Leonard | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Jill T McGruder | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Jeff Meek | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Emerson Moser | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Joe Muraca | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Rajinder Narang | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Emma Off | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Donita Parrish | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Eugene Partridge III | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Bruce Petrie | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Thienthanh Pham | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Jim Price | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Visael Rodriguez | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Dianne Rosenberg | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Jack Rouse | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Megan Shaffer | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Murray Sinclaire Jr | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Reginald L Staples Jr | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Donald Stock | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Deana Taylor Brewer | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Alicia B Townsend | Trustee | 1 | — |
| David Voelker | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Rhonda Whitaker Hurtt | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Stanford T Williams Jr | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Kelly Wittich | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Justin Wyborn | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Sam Zeller | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Alecia Kintner | President & CEO | 50 | $292,283 |
| Kate Kennedy | COO | 50 | $150,615 |
| Samantha Cribbet | Chief Financial Officer | 50 | $127,735 |
| Lisa Wolter | VP, Comm. Campaign | 50 | $135,920 |
| Kathy Debrosse | VP of New Products & Initiatives | 50 | $128,505 |
| Raymond Gargano | VP, Community Investments | 50 | $117,352 |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Cincinnati Institute of Fine Arts fund?
**Mission Statement:** With funding, services and advocacy, ArtsWave fuels a more vibrant regional economy and connected community through the arts. ArtsWave's primary program areas include: • **Grantmaking:** Management of an annual community campaign for the arts that provides financial grants to organizations throughout the Greater Cincinnati Region. Distributions support a wide variety of arts and culture groups reflecting and benefiting the community in all its diversity. • **Measuring Imp…
How do I apply for a grant from Cincinnati Institute of Fine Arts?
ArtsWave administers multiple grant programs: • ArtsWave Pride Grant Program • ArtsWave's Circle Grants • Catalyzing Impact Grant Program • Inspire Artist Grants • Northern Kentucky Creative Placemaking Grant • Young Professional Grants **Grant Sizes:** Typical awards range from $5,400 to $3,439,289. **Operating Support Grants:** Available to provide unrestricted support to smaller arts organizations in the greater Cincinnati area. Eligibility requirements include three or more years of incorpo…
Where does Cincinnati Institute of Fine Arts make grants?
ArtsWave funds organizations throughout the Greater Cincinnati Region, with specific grant programs extending to Northern Kentucky. Grant-making focuses primarily on Ohio, Kentucky, and New York.
What size grants does Cincinnati Institute of Fine Arts award?
In 2024, Cincinnati Institute of Fine Arts awarded 82 grants totaling $9.6M — an average of about $118K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Cincinnati Institute of Fine Arts's EIN?
Cincinnati Institute of Fine Arts's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 31-0537138. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Cincinnati Institute of Fine Arts's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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