Greater Columbus Arts Council
The Greater Columbus Arts Council (GCAC) is a public charity based in Columbus, Ohio, formed in 1973. It supports artists and arts and cultural organizations in Columbus and Franklin County through grants, resources, advocacy, marketing, public art work, and cultural programming.
Greater Columbus Arts Council at a glance
In short: Greater Columbus Arts Council gave $15.9M across 132 grants in 2025 (avg $120K), mostly in Ohio. 13% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $15,892,987
- -26.3% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 132
- -7.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $120,401
- -20.8% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $23,355
- Total assets
- $15,191,269
- -13.0% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 13% first-time grantees (15 of 113, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Ohio (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Greater Columbus Arts Council
- How to Apply
-
Applications are submitted through GCAC’s online application portal. For General Support, organizations must pre-qualify and receive approval to apply in their first year. Program-specific guidelines determine eligibility, review, and award calculations.
- Contact
Mailing address: 182 East Long St, Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: (614) 224-2606
Website: https://gcac.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
9 open opportunities from Greater Columbus Arts Council
Aminah Robinson Fellowship Grant
Greater Columbus Arts Council
Amount
US $15,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Aminah Robinson Writer/Scholar/Researcher Residency Grant
Greater Columbus Arts Council
Amount
US $15,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Artist Projects Grants
Greater Columbus Arts Council
Amount
Up to US $25,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Greater Columbus Arts Council funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Franklin County Historical Society ($1.3M). Together the top 10 received $9.2M.
Grant Size Distribution
536 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 344 grants of 536 (64%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2025 filing reports that 100% of itemized grant dollars went to recipients in Ohio. GCAC’s stated programs and services focus on Columbus, Franklin County, and central Ohio.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 132 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Greater Columbus Arts Council open to new grantees?
13%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 15 of 113 grantees (13%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $15K; repeat grants $160K. How we count
Medians: $12K first-time, $28K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $5.9M (2019) to $21.6M (2024). In 2025 it made 132 grants totaling $15.9M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Franklin County Historical Society Columbus, OH | Grants to promote art and culture in columbus, oh | $1,315,000 |
| Capa Columbus, OH | Grants to promote art and culture in columbus, oh | $1,250,000 |
| Columbus Museum of Art Columbus, OH | Grants to promote art and culture in columbus, oh | $1,133,000 |
| Friends of the Conservatory Columbus, OH | Grants to promote art and culture in columbus, oh | $1,057,451 |
| Columbus Symphony Orchestra Columbus, OH | Grants to promote art and culture in columbus, oh | $1,012,500 |
| Ballet Metropolitan Inc (DBA Balletmet) Columbus, OH | Grants to promote art and culture in columbus, oh | $896,607 |
| The Ohio Historical Society Columbus, OH | Grants to promote art and culture in columbus, oh | $695,000 |
| National Veterans Memorial and Museum Operating Corporation Columbus, OH | Grants to promote art and culture in columbus, oh | $655,000 |
| Wexner Center Foundation DBA Wexner Center for the Arts Columbus, OH | Grants to promote art and culture in columbus, oh | $606,228 |
| Shadoart Productions Columbus, OH | Grants to promote art and culture in columbus, oh | $544,041 |
Ready to take the next step with Greater Columbus Arts Council?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $15,191,269 | $22,398,605 | $25,151,602 | $15,892,987 | 132 | $412,776 |
| 2024 | $17,454,116 | $28,559,129 | $31,467,823 | $21,573,984 | 142 | $561,118 |
| 2023 | $18,391,476 | $26,015,610 | $24,945,573 | $15,385,502 | 100 | $341,355 |
| 2022 | $15,007,832 | $20,808,950 | $16,461,783 | $10,274,981 | 85 | $87,949 |
| 2021 | $9,747,669 | $12,867,365 | $11,699,828 | $8,060,829 | 77 | $164,092 |
| 2020 | $7,831,648 | $11,754,765 | $11,475,638 | $7,256,440 | 65 | $44,393 |
| 2019 | $7,097,829 | $12,341,825 | $10,803,176 | $5,939,845 | 68 | $94,510 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
GCAC’s mission is to champion and elevate the arts and cultural expression of Greater Columbus. Its stated vision is “Power of art realized. People engaged. City energized.”
According to its 2025 filing, GCAC supports nonprofit arts organizations and professional artists providing arts and cultural programming in Columbus. Its grants to organizations include operating support, capital funding, project support, and cultural festival funding. Artist support includes grants, fellowships, residencies and exchanges, mural assistance, awards, workshops, and other programs. The filing also describes the Columbus Arts Festival, a citywide arts marketing campaign, Film Columbus, and a public art strategy and program.
The 2025 grantees illustrate the range of organizations supported. CAPA describes its work as cultivating the arts and serving as an arts leader and presenter. The Columbus Museum of Art says it aims to provide “great experiences with great art for everyone.” The Columbus Symphony Orchestra describes a mission centered on symphonic music and educational programs, while BalletMet focuses on dance performances, instruction, education, and new work.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, GCAC reported 132 itemized grants totaling $15,892,987. Grant amounts ranged from $5,066 to $1,315,000, with a median of $23,355. The largest reported grants included $1,315,000 to the Franklin County Historical Society, $1,250,000 to CAPA, $1,133,000 to the Columbus Museum of Art, $1,057,451 to Friends of the Conservatory, and $1,012,500 to the Columbus Symphony Orchestra. The stated purpose for these grants was to promote art and culture in Columbus, Ohio.
GCAC’s website separately reports that it supported $18,137,301 in total grants in 2025, including 133 organization grants and support for 1,317 artists. Its 2025 impact page describes $18.1 million in grants to organizations and artists.
GCAC’s website lists a General Support Grant for pre-approved small to mid-sized arts organizations producing or presenting a full season of public activities. The listed eligibility summary specifies a three-year history, a budget under $500,000, and a commitment to public activities. The organization FAQ says organizations may receive one General Support award per calendar year and that recipients of General Support cannot apply for Operating or Project Support. Organizations apply through GCAC’s SmartSimple application portal; the site says each program has its own application date and review process. The General Support listing notes that first-year applicants must pre-qualify and receive approval to apply.
GCAC also lists an Aminah Robinson Writer/Scholar/Researcher Residency with a $15,000 award, lodging, and studio access, and an Aminah Robinson Fellowship with a 90-day term and an unrestricted $15,000 award. The residency listing describes eligibility for U.S.-based African American writers, scholars, or researchers. The fellowship listing describes eligibility for professional African American visual artists residing in Franklin County who meet its other stated requirements.
GCAC says its approval process can include staff vetting and reviews by the board, panels, jurors, and staff; grant recipients must submit final reports. In 2024, it introduced community review and evaluation for Artist Projects and Project Support, with community reviewers providing scores and funding recommendations.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists the following officers and trustees:
- Jim Negron, Chair
- Christie Angel, Immediate Past Chair
- David Teed, Treasurer
- Stefan Thomas, Secretary
- Lourdes Barroso de Padilla, Trustee
- Raj Bellani, Trustee
- Cheryl Brooks-Sullivan, Trustee
- Mike Bukach, Trustee
- Mark Cain, Trustee
- Megan Cavanaugh, Trustee
Greater Columbus Arts Council is led by Mitch Menchaca, President on the 2025 filing; 6 of 31 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Mitch Menchaca
President
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$42K (2025)
Jim Negron
Chair
Trustee → Vice Chair, 2024
Vice Chair → Chair, 2025
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John Daugherty
Film Columbus Director
Film Commissioner → Film Columbus Director, 2024
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$112K (2023) → $118K (2025)
Emmanuel Remy
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mark Cain
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sarah Townes
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Yohannan Terrell
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Alex Frommeyer
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Celeste Malvar-Stewart
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Marshall Shorts
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Matthew Satterwhite
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cheryl Brooks-Sullivan
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jayme Staley
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lea Goldsmith
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lourdes Barroso De Padilla
Trustee
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mike Bukach
Trustee
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Raj Bellani
Trustee
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tariq Tarey
Trustee
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cindy Webster
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Currecia Gamble
Trustee
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ian Labitue
Trustee
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Krystopher Scott
Trustee
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Megan Cavanaugh
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Valda Clark Christian
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jami Goldstein
Chief Creative Officer
Director of Marketing & Com → Vice President of Marketing & Communications, 2022
Vice President of Marketing & Communications → Chief Creative Officer, 2025
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$114K (2019) → $153K (2025)
Kayla Green
CFO
Director of Finance & Administrator → CFO, 2022
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$104K (2019) → $155K (2025)
Thomas Katzenmeyer
Former President
President → Former President, 2025
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$262K (2019) → $353K (2025)
Alison Barret
Vice President of Grants & Services
Director of Grants & Servi → Vice President of Grants & Servi, 2022
Vice President of Grants & Servi → Vice President of Grants & Services, 2024
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$108K (2020) → $134K (2025)
Christie Angel
Immediate Past Chair
Vice Chair → Chair, 2023
Chair → Immediate Past Chair, 2025
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David Teed
Treasurer
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Stefan Thomas
Secretary
Trustee → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (29)
- Former: Amy Tillinghast (2019–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Julie Taggart (2019–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Karla Rothan (2019–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Jon Sherman (2020–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Andrew Lippa (2022–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Robin Davis (2022–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Eileen Paley (2019–2023) — Secretary
- Former: Michael Bongiorno (2019–2023) — Immediate Past Chair
- Former: Shannon Crane (2019–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Marhsall Shorts (2021–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Shyam Rajadhyaksha (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Jessica Burton (2021–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Barbara Brandt (2019–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Catherine Lang-Cline (2019–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Christine Kullberg (2019–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Kimber Perfect (2019–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Michael Gonsiorowski (2019–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Priscilla Tyson (2019–2021) — Trustee
- Former: David Hetzler (2021) — Trustee
- Former: Dave Hetzler (2019–2020) — Trustee
- Former: Tom Szykowny (2020) — Immediate Past Chair
- Former: Angela Pace (2019) — Trustee
- Former: Clarence Simmons (2019) — Trustee
- Former: David Feinberg (2019) — Trustee
- Former: Drew McCartt (2019) — Trustee
- Former: Manju Sankarappa (2019) — Trustee
- Former: Stacie Boord (2019) — Trustee
- Former: Thomas Szykowny (2019) — Immediate Past Chair
- Former: Todd Tuney (2019) — Vice Chair
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $353K, to Thomas Katzenmeyer (Former President). 6 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Greater Columbus Arts Council
How much does Greater Columbus Arts Council give each year?
Greater Columbus Arts Council gave $15.9M across 132 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $21.6M across 142 grants.
What is Greater Columbus Arts Council's typical grant size?
Greater Columbus Arts Council's median grant in 2025 was $23,355, and its average grant was $120,401, across 132 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Greater Columbus Arts Council that year got $15K on average.
Where does Greater Columbus Arts Council give grants?
Greater Columbus Arts Council gives mostly in Ohio: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Columbus, OH (107 grants), Worthington, OH (4 grants), Dublin, OH (4 grants) and New Albany, OH (3 grants).
Does Greater Columbus Arts Council give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 132 grants with a stated purpose on Greater Columbus Arts Council's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Grants to Promote Art and Culture in Columbus, OH" (128 grants).
Who are Greater Columbus Arts Council's largest grantees?
Greater Columbus Arts Council's largest 2025 grantees include Franklin County Historical Society ($1,315,000), Capa ($1,250,000) and Columbus Museum of Art ($1,198,000 across 4 grants), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 24% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Greater Columbus Arts Council?
Greater Columbus Arts Council reported $15.2M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $22.4M.
What does Greater Columbus Arts Council fund?
GCAC’s mission is to champion and elevate the arts and cultural expression of Greater Columbus. Its stated vision is “Power of art realized. People engaged. City energized.” See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Greater Columbus Arts Council?
Applications are submitted through GCAC’s online application portal. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Greater Columbus Arts Council's EIN?
Greater Columbus Arts Council's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 31-0833384. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS March 31, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS March 19, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS April 6, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 2, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS March 28, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 13, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 1, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Greater Columbus Arts Council's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Greater Columbus Arts Council funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 11, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/greater-columbus-arts-council-morg_6c35b9e09e03460eafe4aeab430d829b
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_310833384_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Greater Columbus Arts Council funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/greater-columbus-arts-council-morg_6c35b9e09e03460eafe4aeab430d829b},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-11. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Greater Columbus Arts Council's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Greater Columbus Arts Council down — hundreds of funders to go?