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Chicago Avenue Fire Arts Center

Learn about this cause: What are the reviews? Is it Legit? Do I like the mission? What is the CEO's salary?

EIN: 753254147 ✦ Minneapolis, MN ✦ Designated as a 501(c)(3)

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Overview

What is Chicago Avenue Fire Arts Center?

The Chicago Avenue Fire Arts Center, situated in Minneapolis, Minnesota, serves as a vibrant hub for artistic exploration and learning. With a mission to inspire through art forms generated by heat, spark, or flame, the center offers an array of classes in disciplines such as blacksmithing, welding, metal casting, glass, and neon. In 2022 alone, more than 120 classes were provided, attracting over 660 enrollments from individuals of diverse backgrounds and abilities. The center has established partnerships with various organizations, schools, and institutions, including those catering to artists with disabilities, veterans, and high school students, to provide tailored learning experiences. To remove financial barriers and encourage participation, the Chicago Avenue Fire Arts Center maintains a scholarship fund, awarding $12,000 in 2022 to support BIPOC learners. With a team of four dedicated employees, the center continues to foster creativity and artistic growth in its community.


Official website here: www.cafac.org

What are the reviews and ratings of this charity?

Charity Navigator Rating: 90%, Four-Star out of Four Star Rating

The Chicago Avenue Fire Arts Center has achieved a commendable Four-Star rating from Charity Navigator, reflecting a strong commitment to accountability and financial transparency. The charity scored 90% in its Accountability & Finance category, indicating a well-managed organization that demonstrates responsible financial practices. The presence of a majority independent board and thorough financial oversight contribute positively to its evaluation.

Strengths include a high program expense ratio of 78.11%, which suggests that a significant portion of funding is directed towards fulfilling its mission and programming. Additionally, the charity has established comprehensive policies regarding conflict of interest and document retention, which enhance its governance framework. The organization also effectively maintains essential documentation, including board meeting minutes and tax forms.

However, the organization does have a noted limitation as it lacks a whistleblower policy, which could raise concerns regarding transparency and accountability in reporting misconduct. Despite this aspect, the overall rating highlights the Chicago Avenue Fire Arts Center as a reliable nonprofit dedicated to its mission with effective financial management practices.


This AI summary has been generated from information found on Charity Navigator.

What do the Facebook reviews say about Chicago Avenue Fire Arts Center?

96% of 53 reviewers on Facebook recommend the Chicago Avenue Fire Arts Center. Here is a summary of their reviews:

Participants express enthusiastic support for the welding classes offered by the center, highlighting the enjoyable experience and hands-on learning. Users appreciate the welcoming atmosphere and the skillful instructors who make learning both accessible and exciting.

Overall, it seems that the Chicago Avenue Fire Arts Center successfully engages its community and provides fulfilling educational experiences that leave attendees satisfied.


This AI summary has been generated from reviews found on Facebook.

Is Chicago Avenue Fire Arts Center legitimate?

Chicago Avenue Fire Arts Center is a legitimate nonprofit organization registered as a 501(c)(3) entity. Chicago Avenue Fire Arts Center submitted a form 990, which is a tax form used by tax-exempt organizations in the U.S., indicating its operational transparency and adherence to regulatory requirements. Donations to this organization are tax deductible.


Heare are some key statistics you may want to consider:

Executive Compensation: $0
Professional Fundraising Fees: $0
Other Salaries and Wages: $0

For more financial information, click here


Official website here: www.cafac.org

What is the mission statement of Chicago Avenue Fire Arts Center?

The Chicago Avenue Fire Arts Center inspires individuals through various art forms produced by heat, spark, or flame. Its mission, as stated, is to influence the hands, hearts, and minds of participants. In 2022, the center offered over 120 classes, attracting over 600 enrollments from diverse backgrounds and abilities. The center also fostered partnerships with organizations and schools, providing custom learning experiences for artists with disabilities, veterans, and high school students. The Chicago Avenue Fire Arts Center maintains a scholarship fund to remove financial barriers to participation, thereby encouraging participation by learners from underrepresented backgrounds, awarding $12,000 in scholarships in 2022.


Official website here: www.cafac.org

Who is the CEO of Chicago Avenue Fire Arts Center?

Victoria Lauing is the Board Member of Chicago Avenue Fire Arts Center.


Official website here: www.cafac.org

What is the revenue of Chicago Avenue Fire Arts Center?

Chicago Avenue Fire Arts Center's revenue in 2022 was $936,138.


Official website here: www.cafac.org

Who are the executives of Chicago Avenue Fire Arts Center and what are their salaries?

There are 4 employees and 30 volunteers at Chicago Avenue Fire Arts Center.


Here are 11 key members and their salaries:


Becca Cerra (Board Member)
  • Compensation: $11,346
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Heather Doyle (Board Member/Artistic Director)
  • Compensation: $58,638
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Victoria Lauing (Board Member/Executive Director)
  • Compensation: $58,638
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Jhyle Rinker (Board Member/Gallery Coordinator)
  • Compensation: $14,871
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Roger Karlson (Board Member)
  • Compensation: $8,350
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Kathleen Kvern (Board Member)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Susan Haugen (Treasurer)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Valerie Hoiness (Secretary)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Christopher Harrison (Board Member)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Heidi Schuster (Board Member)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Peter Segar (Chair)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0


Official website here: www.cafac.org

Where can I find the form 990 for Chicago Avenue Fire Arts Center?

Chicago Avenue Fire Arts Center's most recent form 990 was submitted in 2022 and can be accessed here.


Official website here: www.cafac.org

Learn more at the official website: www.cafac.org

Mission Statement of Chicago Avenue Fire Arts Center

The Chicago Avenue Fire Arts Center, or CAFAC, inspires individuals through various art forms generated by heat, spark, or flame. Its mission is to engage hands, hearts, and minds, fostering creativity and skill development in disciplines such as blacksmithing, welding, metal casting, glass, and neon. In pursuit of this mission, CAFAC offers a wide array of educational classes, attracting over 660 enrollees in 2022, representing diverse backgrounds and abilities. The center collaborates with numerous organizations, schools, and initiatives to provide tailored learning experiences for artists with disabilities, veterans, and high school students.

To remove financial barriers and encourage participation by underrepresented communities, CAFAC maintains a scholarship fund. In 2022, this fund awarded $12,000 to support BIPOC learners, furthering the center's commitment to diversity and inclusivity. By offering a nurturing environment for artistic growth, the Chicago Avenue Fire Arts Center serves as a distinctive platform for creative expression, empowering individuals to explore their artistic potential and forge meaningful connections within the art community.

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Impact




July, 2024

Chicago Avenue Fire Arts Center makes a significant impact by inspiring hands, hearts, and minds through art forms created by heat, spark, or flame. In 2022, CAFAC provided over 120 classes, attracting 660 enrollments from adults and youth of diverse backgrounds and abilities in fields such as blacksmithing, welding, metal casting, glass, and neon. They also maintained partnerships with various organizations and schools to offer tailored learning experiences to artists with disabilities, veterans, and high school students. Additionally, CAFAC has a scholarship fund to eliminate financial barriers to participation and increase involvement by BIPOC learners, awarding $12,000 in scholarships in 2022. This dedication to education and inclusion demonstrates the organization's commitment to fostering artistic growth and diversity in the community.




This information is meant to be a general summary of Chicago Avenue Fire Arts Center. Please take the time to review official sources before making any decisions based upon the content provided here.


Financials

This financial information is from Propublica.

Revenue
$936,138 (2022)
Expenses
$598,100 (2022)
Efficiency

Other financial information:

This information is from the most recently submitted tax form from this organization, which was in 2022.

  • Program Service Revenue: $344,629
  • Gross Receipts: $936,138

Assets and Liabilities:

  • Total Assets: $1,432,363
  • Total Liabilities: $824,417
  • Net Assets: $607,946

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Programs

Programs are reported by nonprofits in their tax forms and are normally their tax-exempt activities.

EDUCATIONAL SERVICES

Revenue

$164,589

CONTRACT REVENUE

Revenue

$130,047

COMMUNITY PROGRAMS

Revenue

$31,205

FACILITY ACCESS

Revenue

$10,140

CONSIGNMENT SALES

Revenue

$8,648

Organization Details

Founding Year

2007

Principal Officer

Victoria Lauing

Main Address

3749 CHICAGO AVENUE, MINNEAPOLIS, MN, 55407

NTEE Category

Code: A990 - Arts

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