Artists First
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Empowers people with disabilities, veterans, youth, and elders through creative self-expression. For fiscal year 2025 it reported $477K in revenue, $412K in expenses, and $472K in net assets.Pt I
Summary of the Filing
Where the work happens
Other programs artists first programs increases access to meaningful arts experiences for marginalized individuals, fosters connections, as well as strenthens the larger community socially and economically
Lifeworksthe tailored program for professionally minded artists with developmental disabilities to obtain their greatest potential and growth in employment, social, emotional and physical domains through the arts is supported by the ST louis office for developmental disability resources
VETERANS98 of participating veterans maintained sobriety, 100 maintained emotional well being through the program which builds better lives for transitioning veterans as they reintegrate into civilian life by supporting rehabilitation and revovery and by facilitating mental and emotional wellbeing using creative self-expression.
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Identity & Classification
Governance & Policies
Officers, Directors & Key Employees
Sheila Suderwalla’s $72K as Executive Director is at the 66th percentile of top reported officer pay among 2213 $100K–1M arts & culture nonprofits. Peer set: organizations in the same NTEE major field of work and revenue-size band, compared on each org’s own highest-paid officer/key-employee, from Form 990 Part VII / 990-PF Part VIII. Descriptive placement, not a verdict on whether the pay is appropriate.
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Statement of Revenue
Statement of Functional Expenses
Balance Sheet
Financial Metrics
Same NTEE category, revenue band, and state where available. Descriptive — not a grade.
| Metric | This org | Peer median | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Program ratio | 88% | — | — |
| Overhead ratio | 8% | — | — |
| Fundraising cost ratio | 4% | — | — |
| Revenue growth | 8% | — | — |
| Investment management fee ratio | 0% | — | — |
| Legal fee ratio | 0% | — | — |
| Accounting fee ratio | 0% | — | — |
Straight from the Form 990 — descriptive, not an evaluation. A ratio is hidden when its base is zero or too small to be meaningful; the dollars are always shown.
Grants
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Filings & Schedule Manifest
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Sources
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