CultureWorks Inc
CultureWorks Inc is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts council and grantmaking organization based in Richmond, Virginia. The organization strengthens artists and arts and culture organizations to increase their impact in the Richmond and Tri-Cities region. CultureWorks was formerly known as the Arts Council of Richmond and has maintained tax-exempt status since November 1965.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$558K
-16.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$434K
+18.1% YoY
Grant Count
15
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$29K
+18.1% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: Strengthening artists and arts and culture organizations to increase their impact in the region. CultureWorks values diversity and inclusivity and believes everyone in the community should have access to arts and culture, as well as the opportunity to express their culture through the arts.
Vision: A vibrant region through empowered artists and arts and culture organizations.
Strategic Approaches:
- Providing grant opportunities
- Deepening access to communities with barriers
- Increasing the capacity of small and medium-sized organizations and individual artists
- Promotion of events to the public
Intended Impacts:
- Greater community participation in arts and culture
- Increased cultural equity across the region
- Stronger, more self-sustaining artists, communities, and organizations within the creative and cultural environment
Grantmaking
CultureWorks administers an annual grants program focused on building artist and organization capabilities as well as promoting cultural equity. The organization and its funding partners have invested over $1,000,000 through this program.
Review Cycle
February 17, 2026
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
CultureWorks funds initiatives in the Richmond and Tri-Cities Region, specifically:
Cities: Richmond, Colonial Heights, Hopewell, Petersburg
Counties: Charles City, Chesterfield, Dinwiddie, Goochland, Hanover, Henrico, New Kent, Powhatan, Prince George, Sussex
Town: Ashland
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Fiscal Year 2024 (ending June 2024):
- Revenue: $1,117,437
- Expenses: $1,095,657
- Net Income: $21,780
- Total Assets: $666,000
- Total Liabilities: $137,000
Organization Rating: Four-Star rating with 96% score based on accountability and finance metrics.
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $558,403 | $665,899 | $522,956 |
| Revenue | $1,148,905 | $1,117,437 | $1,093,759 |
| Expenses | $1,150,227 | $1,095,657 | $1,088,380 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $6,597 | $5,940 | $1,788 |
| 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
98 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest include Elegba Folklore Society Inc ($54,220), The Richmond Symphony ($51,110), The Valentine ($47,181).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Elegba Folklore Society Inc Richmond, VA | Arts & Cultural Funding Consortium Operating Support Grant | $54,220 |
| Black History Museum Richmond, VA | Arts & Cultural Funding Consortium Operating Support Grant | $39,757 |
| Children's Museum of Richmond Richmond, VA | Arts & Cultural Funding Consortium Operating Support Grant | $29,174 |
| Edgar Allan Poe Museum Richmond, VA | Arts & Cultural Funding Consortium Operating Support Grant | $16,840 |
| Richmond Ballet Richmond, VA | Arts & Cultural Funding Consortium Operating Support Grant | $34,413 |
| Richmond Jazz Society Inc Richmond, VA | Arts & Cultural Funding Consortium Operating Support Grant | $15,178 |
| The Valentine Richmond, VA | Arts & Cultural Funding Consortium Operating Support Grant | $47,181 |
| Virginia Museum of History & Culture Richmond, VA | Arts & Cultural Funding Consortium Operating Support Grant | $33,758 |
| Virginia Opera Richmond, VA | Arts & Cultural Funding Consortium Operating Support Grant | $18,370 |
| Visual Arts Center of Richmond Richmond, VA | Arts & Cultural Funding Consortium Operating Support Grant | $17,060 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
President: Scott Garka
Staff Size: 6 employees
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| W Weldon Hill | Chair | 2 | — |
| Matthew Matt Murcko | Treasurer | 2 | — |
| Judith Wagoner Pahren | Secretary | 2 | — |
| D Brennen Keene | Immediate Past Board Chair | 2 | — |
| Frazier Armstrong | Director | 2 | — |
| Jon Baliles | Director | 2 | — |
| Pam Martin Comstock | Director | 2 | — |
| Ashley S Brooks | Director | 2 | — |
| Donald B Garber | Ex-Officio | 2 | — |
| Tameka Jefferson | Director | 2 | — |
| Jennifer M McLemore | Parliamentarian | 2 | — |
| Scott Hammer | Director | 2 | — |
| R Blake O'Brien | Chair-Elect | 2 | — |
| Jenni Kirby | Ex-Officio | 2 | — |
| Justin Laughter | Director | 2 | — |
| Lucretia Marie Anderson | Director | 2 | — |
| Sherman V Burroughs IV | Director | 2 | — |
| Conaway B Haskins III | Director | 2 | — |
| James Gates | Director | 2 | — |
| Jessica Simmons | Director | 2 | — |
| Greg Gilliam | Director | 2 | — |
| Greg Williams | Director | 2 | — |
| Dee A Raubenstine | Director | 2 | — |
| Jeff Wells | Director | 2 | — |
| Jerry Williams | Director | 2 | — |
| Scott Garka | President | 60 | $168,858 |
Contact Information
Address: 1906 N Hamilton Street, Suite A, Richmond, VA 23230-4113
Phone: 804-340-5280
Website: www.richmondcultureworks.org
EIN: 54-6059009
Frequently Asked Questions
What does CultureWorks Inc fund?
**Mission:** Strengthening artists and arts and culture organizations to increase their impact in the region. CultureWorks values diversity and inclusivity and believes everyone in the community should have access to arts and culture, as well as the opportunity to express their culture through the arts. **Vision:** A vibrant region through empowered artists and arts and culture organizations. **Strategic Approaches:** • Providing grant opportunities • Deepening access to communities with barrie…
How do I apply for a grant from CultureWorks Inc?
CultureWorks administers an annual grants program focused on building artist and organization capabilities as well as promoting cultural equity. The organization and its funding partners have invested over $1,000,000 through this program. **Recent Grant Program (2026-27):** • **Program Name:** CultureWorks Arts & Culture Community Impact Grant • **Award Amounts:** Up to $20,000, with award tiers of $5,000, $10,000, or $20,000 • **Eligibility:** Practicing artists of all disciplines (performing,…
Where does CultureWorks Inc make grants?
CultureWorks funds initiatives in the Richmond and Tri-Cities Region, specifically: **Cities:** Richmond, Colonial Heights, Hopewell, Petersburg **Counties:** Charles City, Chesterfield, Dinwiddie, Goochland, Hanover, Henrico, New Kent, Powhatan, Prince George, Sussex **Town:** Ashland
What size grants does CultureWorks Inc award?
In 2025, CultureWorks Inc awarded 15 grants totaling $434K — an average of about $29K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is CultureWorks Inc's EIN?
CultureWorks Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 54-6059009. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in CultureWorks Inc'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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