To support workforce development, entrepreneurial ventures and job growth in non-profit and commercial creative industries.

501(c)(3) charity; gifts are tax-deductible.
83¢ of each $1 spent went to programs.
$106K paid to officers and key staff.
Mission: Form 990 Part I, line 1 · Status: IRS Pub. 78 · Programs: Part IX · Pay: Part VII

Before you give

FY2020 · Form 990Independent: from IRS data, not the org
Download 990
IRS status
501(c)(3)
not on the IRS revocation list
Looks good: listed by the IRS and not on the revocation list.
IRS BMF · Auto-Revocation List
Tax-deductible gifts
Yes
Donations are tax-deductible
Looks good: the IRS lists gifts to it as deductible.
IRS Pub. 78 · IRS BMF
Latest return
FY2024
latest Form 990
Looks good: the latest return is for FY2024, 2 tax years back; within 2 tax years.
IRS e-file · Filing history
Surplus or deficit
5 of 5
filings with a surplus
Average surplus $111K a year · 14% of revenue · last 5 filings
Looks good: a surplus in 5 of the last 5 filings.
Pt I · Ln 19 · 5 filings
Spent on programs
83%
of spending
Looks good: 83% of spending went to programs; 75% or more.
Pt IX · Ln 25 · col B
Pay to officers and key staff
$106K
to officers and key staff · 21% of spending
Worth a look: pay to officers and key staff is 21% of spending; over 20%.
Pt VII · Sec A
5 mo
of spending, in cash
Looks good: 4.7 months of spending in cash; 3 or more.
Pt X · Ln 1–2 · Pt I · Ln 18
Named funders
12
named funders · $471K
Looks good: 12 funders name it on their filings; 3 or more.
Funders’ Sch. I, 990-PF
Liabilities
$0
0% of total assets
Looks good: liabilities are 0% of assets; 50% or less.
Pt X · Ln 26
Independent board members
10
of 10 voting members
Looks good: 10 of 10 voting members are independent, a majority.
Pt VI · Ln 1a–1b
Looks goodFineWorth a lookConcernNo data yetTap a box for the reason.
Revenue
$597K
Spent
$502K
To programs
83%
Net assets
$310K
By yearFY2020–FY2024
Revenue
$597K
FY2020
Tap a bar for its year
Revenue by fiscal year
FY2020$597K
FY2021$628K
FY2022$754K
FY2023$845K
FY2024$1.1M
Expenses
$502K
FY2020
Tap a bar for its year
Expenses by fiscal year
FY2020$502K
FY2021$607K
FY2022$627K
FY2023$760K
FY2024$850K
Net assets
$310K
FY2020
Tap a bar for its year
Net assets by fiscal year
FY2020$310K
FY2021$331K
FY2022$459K
FY2023$543K
FY2024$771K

From the FY2020 Form 990 · figures checked against the IRS filing · see the original

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You’re viewing the FY2020 filing — not the latest on file. See the latest (FY2024) →

Is it real?

Yes. Never revoked by the IRS. Latest filing on record: FY2024. IRS ruling in Jun 2004.

IRS Pub. 78 · IRS Auto-Revocation List · IRS Business Master File

Where the money goes

83 cents of each dollar spent went to programs.

Program services 83% · $417K Management & general 10% · $50K Fundraising 7% · $35K

Form 990 Part IX, line 25, columns B–D. Every line is in By the numbers.

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Who runs it and what they're paid

11 people listed on the 990; $106K paid to officers and key staff.

Part VII, Section A · reportable compensation
Executive Director
$106,475Pt VII · Sec A
$0Pt VII · Sec A
$0Pt VII · Sec A
$0Pt VII · Sec A
$0Pt VII · Sec A
Director
$0Pt VII · Sec A
Director
$0Pt VII · Sec A
Secretary/Treasurer
$0Pt VII · Sec A

Meghann Bridgeman’s $121K as Executive Director is at the 47th percentile of top reported officer pay among 1690 $1–10M philanthropy & grantmaking 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.

Compensation history total reportable pay by year · 2 named individuals · Part VII

NameFY2024FY2023FY2022FY2021FY2020
Meghann Bridgeman$121,176$118,800$105,000$49,427—
Ralph S Palmer———$74,901$106,475

Total reportable compensation (Form 990 Part VII column D / Schedule J column E) by filing year, matched by name within this organization. The Schedule J base / bonus / deferred breakdown is not parsed into this dataset.

See Create Birmingham executive salaries →

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Questions the 990 asks

The form asks each of these directly. These are the filed answers.

  • Family or business ties among officersPt VI · Ln 2No
  • Top official's pay set by an independent reviewPt VI · Ln 15aNo

Programs and updates

Develops workforce, supports entrepreneurs, and grows jobs in creative industries.

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Provided by the organization

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3 programs · $73K · in their own filed words · FY2020
01

Co.starters

The ten-week business launching platform equips a diverse group of aspiring creative entrepreneurs with the insights, relationships and tools needed to turn business ideas into action. Unlike traditional platforms, CO.STARTERS applies the lean business modeling methods popular among high-growth startups to businesses of all kinds.

$48Kprogram expense
02

Film Birmingham

This initiative is a one-stop shop for creators of film and media projects interested in working in and around the Birmingham area. In addition to permitting facilitation, location assistance and recruitment, we connect producers with local crews, services, and resources.

$15Kprogram expense
03

Birmingham365.org

The most comprehensive online calendar of public events in the Greater Birmingham area lists more than 7,000 arts, culture and entertainment events annually and averages more than 63,000 visits monthly, serving residents and tourists alike across a 12-county region.

$10Kprogram expense

Funders

Who pays for it.

From grant filings on record. Receipts are incomplete: individual donors are never listed.

Grants

Schedule I · received and paid
Grants received · FY2024
See all 12 funders →
Grants paid · 29 grants · $195K · 2023–2024
Intoto Creative Arts ForumAL · FY2024$10,000
Girlspring INCAL · FY2024$10,000
Bib Tucker Sew-OpAL · FY2024$10,000
Desert Island Supply CoAL · FY2023$15,000
Aware Cosmetics Make Up ServicesFY2023$5,000
Henley & Young LLCFY2023$5,000
Bare Hands Gallery INCAL · FY2023$5,000
Terrific New Theatre INCAL · FY2023$5,000
Creating a Better Path INCAL · FY2023$5,000
First Impressions Marketing Group LLCFY2023$5,000
Yogi Dada LLCFY2023$5,000
Scenic View Cafe and CateringFY2023$5,000
Individual RecipientFY2023$5,000
See all 29 grants →

By the numbers

The FY2020 990, line by line.

1The main four
Money inPt VIII
$597K
Ln 12
Gifts and grantsLn 1h$596K
Fees for servicesLn 2g$2K
Investment incomeLn 3$166
Money outPt IX
$502K
Ln 25
Programscol B$417K
Managementcol C$50K
Fundraisingcol D$35K
Owns and owesPt X
$310K
net assets · Ln 32
Cash and savingsLn 1–2$195K
Total assetsLn 16$310K
LiabilitiesLn 26$0
PeoplePt VI, VII
11
listed · VII A
PaidVII A1
Voting boardVI 1a10
IndependentVI 1b10
2In more detail
Revenue in detailPt VIII
Gifts and grantsLn 1h$596K
Government grantsLn 1e$143K
Fees for servicesLn 2g$2K
Investment incomeLn 3$166
Total revenueLn 12$597K
Assets in detailPt X, end of year
CashLn 1$195K
Cash and savings togetherLn 1–2$195K
Land, buildings, equipmentLn 10c$733
Other assetsLn 15$25K
Total assetsLn 16$310K
LiabilitiesLn 26$0
Net assetsLn 32$310K
OperationsPt I, VI
EmployeesI 54
VolunteersI 60
Fiscal year endsHeaderDecember
Conflict-of-interest policyVI 12aNo
Whistleblower policyVI 13No
Records policyVI 14No
3Year over year
Balance sheet, start vs end of yearPt X · col A, B
LineStart FY20End FY20
Cash and savingsLn 1–2$392K$195K
Land, buildings, equipmentLn 10c$1K$733
Total assetsLn 16$418K$310K
LiabilitiesLn 26$203K$0
Net assetsLn 32$215K$310K
4Every line
Statement of functional expensesPt IX · every line
LineTotalProgramsManagementFundraising
Pay of current officers, directors and key staffLn 5$106K$88K$11K$7K
Other salaries and wagesLn 7$191K$159K$19K$13K
Pension plan contributionsLn 8$18K$15K$2K$1K
Other employee benefitsLn 9$19K$16K$2K$1K
Payroll taxesLn 10$23K$19K$2K$2K
Accounting feesLn 11c$8K$6K$773$541
Other fees for servicesLn 11g$38K$32K$4K$3K
Advertising and promotionLn 12$3K$2K$260$182
Office expensesLn 13$396$328$40$28
Information technologyLn 14$6K$5K$574$402
OccupancyLn 16$8K$6K$769$538
Depreciation, depletion and amortizationLn 22$2K$2K$223$156
InsuranceLn 23$4K$3K$363$254
Other expenses (24a–d)Ln 24$66K$55K$7K$5K
All other expensesLn 24e$11K$9K$1K$742
Total functional expensesLn 25$502K$417K$50K$35K

Filing history

YearMoney inMoney outIn minus outNet assetsDownload
FY2024 Latest $1.1M$850K$228K$771K 990 PDF
FY2023 $845K$760K$85K$543K 990 PDF
FY2022 $754K$627K$127K$459K 990 PDF
FY2021 $628K$607K$21K$331K 990 PDF
FY2020 Viewing $597K$502K$95K$310K 990 PDF

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Schedules filed Part IV

III · Programs R · Related orgs G · Fundraising L · Interested persons I · Grants A · Public support O · Explanations
See the full FY2020 990 (6 parts)
Part I · Summary $597,336 revenue, 12 lines filed
I-8 Contributions and grantsPrior year $563,040$595,516
I-9 Program service revenuePrior year $2,026$1,654
I-10 Investment incomePrior year $249$166
I-11 Other revenuePrior year $0$0
I-12 Total revenuePrior year $565,315$597,336
I-13 Grants and similar amounts paidPrior year $0$0
I-14 Benefits paid to membersPrior year $0$0
I-15 Salaries and benefitsPrior year $307,753$357,521
I-16a Professional fundraising feesPrior year $0$0
I-17 Other expensesPrior year $309,356$144,811
I-18 Total expensesPrior year $617,109$502,332
I-19 Revenue less expensesPrior year −$51,794$95,004
Part VI · Governance 10 of 10 board members independent, 4 to look at
VI-1a Voting members of the governing body10
VI-1b Independent voting members10
VI-12a Written conflict of interest policyNo
VI-13 Written whistleblower policyNo
VI-14 Document retention and destruction policyNo
VI-15a Process for setting top official's payNo
VI-2 Family or business relationship among officers or directorsNo
Part VIII · Statement of revenue $597,336 across 6 lines filed
VIII-1e Government grants$143,100
VIII-1f All other contributions, gifts and grants$452,416
VIII-1h Total contributions, gifts and grants$595,516
VIII-2a-f Program service revenue, itemized rows (sum of 2a–2f as filed)Related to mission $1,654$1,654
VIII-3 Investment incomeExcluded from tax $166$166
VIII-12 Total revenueRelated to mission $1,654 · Unrelated business $0 · Excluded from tax $166$597,336
Part IX · Statement of functional expenses $502,332 across 15 lines filed
IX-5 Pay of current officers, directors and key staffPrograms $88,374 · Management $10,648 · Fundraising $7,453$106,475
IX-7 Other salaries and wagesPrograms $158,834 · Management $19,137 · Fundraising $13,396$191,367
IX-8 Pension plan contributionsPrograms $15,010 · Management $1,809 · Fundraising $1,266$18,085
IX-9 Other employee benefitsPrograms $15,611 · Management $1,881 · Fundraising $1,317$18,809
IX-10 Payroll taxesPrograms $18,911 · Management $2,279 · Fundraising $1,595$22,785
IX-11c Accounting feesPrograms $6,416 · Management $773 · Fundraising $541$7,730
IX-11g Other fees for servicesPrograms $31,808 · Management $3,832 · Fundraising $2,683$38,323
IX-12 Advertising and promotionPrograms $2,159 · Management $260 · Fundraising $182$2,601
IX-13 Office expensesPrograms $328 · Management $40 · Fundraising $28$396
IX-14 Information technologyPrograms $4,763 · Management $574 · Fundraising $402$5,739
IX-16 OccupancyPrograms $6,383 · Management $769 · Fundraising $538$7,690
IX-22 Depreciation, depletion and amortizationPrograms $1,846 · Management $223 · Fundraising $156$2,225
IX-23 InsurancePrograms $3,016 · Management $363 · Fundraising $254$3,633
IX-24 Other expenses (24a–d)Programs $54,669 · Management $6,586 · Fundraising $4,611$65,866
IX-24e All other expensesPrograms $8,805 · Management $1,061 · Fundraising $742$10,608
IX-25 Total functional expensesPrograms $416,933 · Management $50,235 · Fundraising $35,164$502,332
Part X · Balance sheet $310,422 assets, 11 lines filed
X-1 Cash, non-interest-bearingStart of year $392,024$194,689
X-3 Pledges and grants receivable$90,000
X-10c Land, buildings and equipment, netStart of year $1,124$733
X-15 Other assetsStart of year $25,000$25,000
X-16 Total assetsStart of year $418,148$310,422
X-25 Other liabilitiesStart of year $194,161$0
X-26 Total liabilitiesStart of year $202,730$0
X-27 Net assets without donor restrictionsStart of year $149,717$184,315
X-28 Net assets with donor restrictionsStart of year $65,701$126,107
X-32 Total net assets or fund balancesStart of year $215,418$310,422
X-33 Total liabilities and net assetsStart of year $418,148$310,422
Part XI · Reconciliation of net assets $310,422 net assets at year end
XI-1 Total revenue$597,336
XI-2 Total expenses$502,332
XI-3 Revenue less expenses$95,004
XI-4 Net assets at start of year$215,418
XI-9 Other changes in net assets$0
XI-10 Net assets at end of year$310,422

Form 990 e-file (XML) FY2020 from the IRS · Classification, formation year and address from the IRS Business Master File

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