Nonprofit · EIN 23-7255426
CREATIVE WEST
Tax-exempt · DENVER, CO 80202
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 30, 2025 | 990 | $23,215,745 | $9,396,729 | $13,819,016 | $23,965,538 | $2,858,206 | $21,107,332 |
| September 30, 2024 | 990 | $9,606,944 | $11,611,814 | -$2,004,870 | $9,716,714 | $2,715,534 | $7,001,180 |
| September 30, 2023 | 990 | $7,041,612 | $8,341,682 | -$1,300,070 | $11,844,624 | $4,073,410 | $7,771,214 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended September 30, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $19,794,328
- of which government grants
- $2,023,164
- Program service revenue
- $2,470,072
- Investment income
- $805,101
- Other revenue
- $146,244
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $1,436,047
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $1,199,651
- Other salaries and wages
- $2,671,459
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $4,661,892
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Legal fees
- $30,575
- Accounting fees
- $23,710
- Occupancy
- $41,689
- Travel
- $483,790
- Depreciation
- $57,535
- Program services (functional)
- $8,172,430
- Management and general (functional)
- $1,179,866
- Fundraising (functional)
- $44,433
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $9,716,714
- Total assets, end of year
- $23,965,538
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $2,858,206
- Net assets, end of year
- $21,107,332
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $615,887
- Publicly traded securities
- $4,864,023
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $20,589,545
- Net assets with donor restrictions
- $517,787
- Gross unrelated business income
- $805,101
- Gross receipts
- $23,215,745
- Employees
- 49
- Volunteers
- 249
- Year formed
- 1972
- State of legal domicile
- CO
From the e-filed returns the IRS publishes as XML (latest three processing years; amended returns replace the original). PDF copies at the IRS.
Officers, directors and key employees
As listed on the 990 for the year ended September 30, 2025, highest compensation first.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHRISTIAN GAINES | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Officer | 37.5 | $270,818 | $22,764 |
| PAUL NGYUEN | DIRECTOR OF TECHNOLOGY Highest-paid employee | 37.5 | $152,644 | $16,855 |
| DAVID HOLLAND | DEPUTY DIRECTOR Highest-paid employee | 37.5 | $144,020 | $16,424 |
| AMY HOLLRAH | DIRECTOR OF FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION Officer | 37.5 | $142,578 | $16,352 |
| CHRISTINA VILLA | DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS Highest-paid employee | 37.5 | $129,834 | $15,715 |
| LEAH HORN | DIRECTOR OF MARKETING Highest-paid employee | 37.5 | $122,142 | $15,330 |
| ANIKA TENE | DIRECTOR OF GRANTS, AWARDS & PROGRAMS Officer | 37.5 | $119,002 | $15,173 |
| ADRIAN SAN MIGUEL | TREASURER & FINANCE & INVESTMENT COMMITTEE CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| AMBER-DAWN BEAR ROBE | TRUSTEE AT-LARGE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| ANDREA NOBLE | SAA-ED TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| ANN HUDNER | TRUSTEE AT-LARGE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| BASSEM BEJJANI | BOARD CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| BRANDY REITTER | VICE CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| DAVID MACK | TRUSTEE AT-LARGE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| EUNIQUE YAZZIE | TRUSTEE AT-LARGE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
15 more people on this return
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JAYNE BUTLER GOODMAN | TRUSTEE AT-LARGE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| JESS PEA | TRUSTEE AT-LARGE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| JOHN ZIRKLE | TRUSTEE AT-LARGE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| JOSH BLANCHARD | SAA-ED TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| JULIE BAKER | TRUSTEES AT-LARGE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| KAREN EWALD | SAA-ED TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| KARMEN ROSSI | TRUSTEE AT-LARGE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| LAURA BERBUSSE CHYNOWETH | TRUSTEE AT-LARGE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| LISA BECKER | TRUSTEE AT-LARGE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| MAKANANI SAL | EQUITY AND INCLUSION COMMITTEE CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $0 |
| MEGAN MILLER | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $0 |
| MICHELLE LAFLAMME-CHILDS | SAA-ED TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| SUSAN GARBETT | TRUSTEE AT-LARGE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| TENIQUA BROUGHTON | EX-OFFICIO (PAST CHAIR) Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $0 |
| TONY MANFREDI | BOARD GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE CHAIR | SAA-ED Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $0 |
990 for the year ended September 30, 2024: 24 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHRISTIAN GAINES | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Officer | 37.5 | $250,635 | $21,820 |
| PAUL NGYUEN | DIRECTOR OF TECHNOLOGY Highest-paid employee | 37.5 | $134,700 | $16,023 |
| AMY HOLLRAH | DIRECTOR OF FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION Officer | 37.5 | $117,608 | $15,168 |
| DAVID HOLLAND | DEPUTY DIRECTOR Highest-paid employee | 37.5 | $113,924 | $14,984 |
| CHRISTINA VILLA | DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS Highest-paid employee | 37.5 | $105,317 | $14,554 |
| BASSEM BEJJANI | VICE-CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| TENIQUA BROUGHTON | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| TAMARA ALVARADO | PAST CHAIR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| ANDRIAN SAN MIGUEL | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| BRANDY REITTER | DEVELOPMENT COMTE CHAIR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| KARMEN ROSSI | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| AMBER-DAWN BEAR ROBE | EQUITY & INCLUSION COMMITTEE CHAIR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| CYNDY ANDRUS | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| LISA BECKER | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| SUSAN GARBETT | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JAYNE BUTLER GOODMAN | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MICHELLE LAFLAMME-CHILDS | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ANTHONY MANFREDI | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| NIKIKO MASUMOTO | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MEGAN MILLER | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JESS PENA | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| BRIAN ROGERS | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MAKANANI SALA | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KELLY STOWELL | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended September 30, 2023: 25 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHRISTIAN GAINES | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Officer | 37.5 | $235,334 | $19,375 |
| PAUL NGUYEN | DIRECTOR OF TECHNOLOGY Highest-paid employee | 37.5 | $134,693 | $14,943 |
| AMY HOLLRAH | DIRECTOR OF FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION Officer | 37.5 | $117,983 | $13,507 |
| DAVID HOLLAND | DEPUTY DIRECTOR Highest-paid employee | 37.5 | $104,970 | $12,857 |
| CHRISTINA VILLA | DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS Highest-paid employee | 37.5 | $100,189 | $12,617 |
| TAMARA ALVARADO | PAST CHAIR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| CYNDI ADRUS | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| AMBER-DAWN BEAR ROBE | EIC CHAIR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| TENIQUA BROUGHTON | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| BASSEM BEJJANI | VICE CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| LISA BECKER | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| KAREN HANAN | SAA Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| ANN HUDNER | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| JAYNE GOODMAN | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| SUSAN GARBETT | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| MICHELLE LAFLAMME-CHILDS | SAA Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| TONY MANFREDI | SSA Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| ADRIAN SAN MIGUEL | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| MEGAN MILLER | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| JESS PENA | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| BRANDY REITTER | DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE CHAI Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| BRIAN ROGERS | SAA Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| KARMEN ROSSI | BOARD SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| MAKANANI SALA | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| KELLY STOWELL | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 1536 WYNKOOP ST STE 522, DENVER, CO 80202-1376
- Principal officer (990 for 2024)
- AMY HOLLRAH, 1536 WYNKOOP ST 522, DENVER, CO 802021559
- Signed the 990
- AMY HOLLRAH, DIRECTOR OF FINANCE & ADMINISTRATIO
- Phone
- (303) 629-1166
- Website
- WWW.WEARECREATIVEWEST.ORG
- Return prepared by
- SB & COMPANY LLC
Mission
CREATIVE WEST IS A NONPROFIT ARTS SERVICE ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO THE CREATIVE ADVANCEMENT AND PRESERVATION OF THE ARTS. BASED IN DENVER, COLORADO, CREATIVE WEST FULFILLS ITS MISSION TO STRENGTHEN THE FINANCIAL ORGANIZATIONAL AND POLICY INFRASTRUCTURE OF THE ARTS BY PROVIDING INNOVATIVE AND SERVICES TO ARTIST AND ARTS ORGANIZATIONS IN THE WEST AND NATIONWIDE.
Program accomplishments
- WITH SUPPORT FROM THE NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS, CREATIVE WEST MAINTAINS A TOUR WEST AND REGIONAL ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM, WHICH FUNDS ARTS TOURING. "TOURWEST," SUPPORTS THE TOURING OF PERFORMING ARTISTS ACROSS THE WEST. THE PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO SERVE SMALL COMMUNITIES, AND IS HEAVILY ORIENTED TOWARDS SUPPORTING PERFORMING ARTS PRESENTED IN SMALL RURAL COMMUNITIES. WITH GRANTS UP TO $5,000, THESE GRANTS ARE MODEST IN NATURE BUT HAVE MADE A SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE IN SMALLER COMMUNITIES WHERE CONTRIBUTIONS FROM GOVERNMENT AND BUSINESS HAVE DIMINISHED GREATLY IN RECENT YEARS. ADDITIONALLY, PRIVATE FUNDERS HAVE SUPPORTED ADDITIONAL GRANTING PROGRAMS MANAGED BY CREATIVE WEST FOCUSED ON SUPPORTING ARTISTS AND ARTS LEADERS FROM UNDERREPRESENTED GROUPS. BOTH THE TOURWEST PROGRAM AND PRIVATE GRANT AWARDS FUND OVER 200 GRANTS ANNUALLY AND SERVICES ALL CORNERS OF CREATIVE WEST'S 13-STATE REGION AND THREE PACIFIC JURISDICTIONS.Expenses $3,557,083 · grants $1,436,048 · revenue $2,470,072
- CREATIVE WEST PROVIDES A WIDE VARIETY OF SERVICES THAT ARE DESIGNED TO SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE ARTS IN THE REGION. MAJOR PROGRAMS INCLUDE: 1) CONVENINGS, NETWORKS, AND PLANNING PROCESSES THAT BRING TOGETHER LEADING PRACTITIONERS IN THE ARTS FIELD TO DISCUSS POLICY ISSUES THAT IMPACT ARTISTS AND COMMUNITIES AND TO DEVELOP STRATEGIES FOR DEVELOPMENT OF THE ARTS, 2) PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SEMINARS FOR STATE ARTS AGENCY LEADERS AND INVESTMENTS IN STATE ARTS AGENCY INNOVATION THAT ARE DESIGNED TO HELP THEM BECOME MORE EFFECTIVE AND SERVICE ORIENTED PUBLIC SECTOR AGENCIES.Expenses $1,786,078
- ADDITIONALLY, CREATIVE WEST HAS ONLINE SOFTWARE AS A SERVICE TOOLS TO CONNECT ARTISTS TO OPPORTUNITIES VIA; 3) THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE PUBLIC ART ARCHIVE, A SEARCHABLE ONLINE DATABASE OF COMPLETED PUBLIC ARTWORKS THROUGHOUT THE U.S. AND ABROAD, IN WHICH ARTISTS AND MANAGERS OF PUBLIC ART PROGRAMS CAN CONTRIBUTE THEIR WORK FOR FREE PUBLIC VIEWING, AND 4) ARTS SERVICE-BASED TECHNOLOGY PROJECTS SUCH AS ZAPPLICATION AND CALL FOR ENTRY (CAFE TM) WHICH SUPPORT THE NON-PROFIT ARTS COMMUNITY AND ARTISTS IN THE USE OF TECHNOLOGY TO FACILITATE AND ADVANCE THEIR WORK.Expenses $2,829,269
What it must file and when
IRS records say it files Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N. Its accounting year ends in September, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.
| Tax year | Year ended | Due | IRS public records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | September 30, 2026 | February 16, 2027 | Not due yet |
| 2024 | September 30, 2025 | February 17, 2026 | 990 on file |
| 2023 | September 30, 2024 | February 18, 2025 | 990 on file |
IRS record
- EIN
- 23-7255426
- Tax-exempt status
- 501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
- Foundation status
- Publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(A)(vi))
- Donations deductible (Pub 78)
- Public charity, 50% deduction limit
- Exempt since
- 1973
- Accounting year ends
- September
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Arts, culture and humanities (A260)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $23,965,538
- Income (IRS master file)
- $23,215,745
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | September 2025 | $23,215,745 | $9,396,729 | $23,965,538 | XML |
| 990 | September 2024 | $9,606,944 | $11,611,814 | $9,716,714 | XML |
| 990 | September 2023 | $7,041,612 | $8,341,682 | $11,844,624 | XML |
| 990 | September 2022 | $6,773,845 | $7,590,188 | $9,116,686 | IRS |
| 990 | September 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | September 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | September 2019 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | September 2018 | – | – | – | IRS |
990-N: the IRS bulk file holds only the latest e-Postcard per organization; earlier years come from archived copies of that file since 2020 and can have gaps (the IRS e-Postcard search lists every one). 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-T: every e-filed return in the IRS e-file index since 2019; XML for the latest three processing years, amounts from the IRS Statistics of Income extracts before that. PDF copies and determination letters at the IRS (search EIN 23-7255426).
Questions about CREATIVE WEST
- What is the EIN of CREATIVE WEST?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of CREATIVE WEST is 23-7255426.
- Is CREATIVE WEST tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1973.
- Are donations to CREATIVE WEST tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does CREATIVE WEST file?
- Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N.
- When is the next return of CREATIVE WEST due?
- The return for tax year 2025 (the year ending September 30, 2026) is due February 16, 2027. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
- When did CREATIVE WEST last file with the IRS?
- The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended September 2025.
- Who is the principal officer of CREATIVE WEST?
- The 990 for the year ended September 30, 2025 names AMY HOLLRAH.
- Who are the officers and directors of CREATIVE WEST?
- The 990 for the year ended September 30, 2025 lists 30 people; 7 received compensation from the organization, the highest $270,818 (CHRISTIAN GAINES, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR).
- How much revenue does CREATIVE WEST have?
- On its 990 for the year ended September 30, 2025 it reported revenue of $23,215,745, expenses of $9,396,729 and total assets of $23,965,538 at year end.
Other nonprofits in DENVER
- DENVER CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS EIN 84-0407760 · last filed 990 for 2025
- DENVER ART MUSEUM INC EIN 84-6038240 · last filed 990 for 2025
- THE COLORADO MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY EIN 84-0518447 · last filed 990 for 2024
- DENVER ART MUSEUM FOUNDATION EIN 74-2496760 · last filed 990 for 2025
- ROCKY MOUNTAIN PUBLIC MEDIA INC EIN 84-0510785 · last filed 990 for 2025
- COLORADO SYMPHONY ASSOCIATION EIN 84-0511458 · last filed 990 for 2025
- COLORADO BALLET COMPANY EIN 84-6038137 · last filed 990 for 2025
- DENVER FILM SOCIETY EIN 84-0771070 · last filed 990 for 2026
All nonprofits in DENVER · Colorado · Arts, culture and humanities