Ridgewood Arts Foundation

What Ridgewood Arts Foundation does

Ridgewood Arts Foundation (RAF) is a New Jersey-based 501(c)(3) public charitable foundation (Tax EIN 46-2613905) founded in 2016, headquartered at PO Box 183, Ridgewood, NJ. Its dual mission is to fund and celebrate the visual and performing arts in and around Ridgewood through grants and scholarships to amateur and professional artists (middle school age to adult), while delivering community cultural programming. To date, RAF has awarded nearly 250 grants and scholarships. Core products and programs include the grants and scholarships program, the Annual Honors Showcase (the primary fundraising event), ARTober exhibit, Art in the Park fine art fair, Salons (intimate panel discussions in private homes), Local Art Gem Tours to regional museums and galleries, the Capturing Nature notecard fundraiser, an unpaid internship program for young arts administrators, and the PhotograpHER juried photography exhibit. Signature events are hosted at partner venues including The Stable, Memorial Park (Van Neste Square), Master Art Studio Gallery, Ridgewood Public Library, and West Side Presbyterian Church. RAF does not develop proprietary technology; its digital footprint is a Squarespace website, an email newsletter, and a Facebook/Instagram presence managed by a social media intern.

The organization's business model is that of a community nonprofit. Revenue is generated primarily through tax-deductible donations from individuals, businesses, and foundations across seven tiered donor levels (Community Angel $5,000, Community Champion $2,500, Community Hero $1,000, Community Builder $500, Community Partner $250, Community Friend $100, and $50 or custom), supplemented by merchandise sales ($25 notecard sets), event booth fees ($175 for Art in the Park), and proceeds from the Honors Showcase silent auction and event fundraising. Customer segments are split across individual artists receiving grants, local arts organizations receiving program support (e.g., Ridgewood Symphony Orchestra, Parlance Chamber Concerts, Ars Musica Chorale), and the Ridgewood community as event attendees. Distribution is event-based and digital-direct via the website, with no third-party retail. Governance is via a Board of Trustees and advisory committee, currently led by President Jill Williams and VP of Communications Linda Bradley, with no paid executive team and no disclosed revenue or financials.

Name

Ridgewood Arts Foundation

Legal name

Ridgewood Arts Foundation

Website

https://ridgewoodartsfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Ridgewood Arts Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2016 that funds and celebrates the visual and performing arts in Ridgewood, NJ through grants, scholarships, and cultural events including the Honors Showcase, ARTober, Art in the Park, Salons, and Art Gem Tours, supported by tiered donations, notecard sales, and event fees.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Arts and Culture Nonprofit Foundation

NAICS

Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Civic and Social Organizations (813410)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Foundations (BPAGAKAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Cultural Centers & Community Cultural Organizations (BPAGAHAD)

Keywords

• Arts grant-making
• Community arts programming
• Nonprofit arts foundation
• Artist scholarships
• Cultural event fundraising

Headquarters

HQ city

Ridgewood

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Sponsorships: RAF receives tax-deductible contributions from individuals, businesses, and foundations through tiered donor programs (Community Angel $5,000, Community Champion $2,500, Community Hero $1,000, Community Builder $500, Community Partner $250, Community Friend $100, and $50 or custom amounts). Corporate sponsorships are also sought. Donations support grants and scholarships to artists and arts organizations.
2. Notecard Sales: RAF sells notecard sets featuring winning entries from annual Notecard Art Competition. Sets include 12 cards with envelopes presented in a clear box, priced at $25.00 with $10 flat-rate shipping.
3. Event Fundraising: The annual Honors Showcase serves as RAF's primary fundraising event, featuring live performances, art exhibits, silent auctions, and notecard sales. Proceeds directly support grants and scholarships.
4. Art in the Park Booth Fees: Fine art fair event charges $175 booth fees to participating artists.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Ridgewood Arts Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charitable foundation that funds and celebrates the visual and performing arts in and around Ridgewood, New Jersey. Its core offerings are grants and scholarships awarded to amateur and professional artists, supplemented by a recurring calendar of community cultural events (Honors Showcase, ARTober, Art in the Park, Salons, and Local Art Gem Tours) and a notecard merchandise fundraiser.

Product overview

Ridgewood Arts Foundation operates as a non-profit organization offering a portfolio of arts funding and community programs. Core offerings include a grants and scholarships program for artists of all ages, and an annual calendar of cultural events including the Honors Showcase, ARTober exhibit, Salons, Art in the Park fine art fair, and Local Art Gem Tours. The organization also sells merchandise through its notecard fundraiser and manages an unpaid internship program for young arts professionals. All programs support the Foundation's dual mission of funding and celebrating the visual and performing arts in Ridgewood, NJ.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Grants and Scholarships Program Awards grants and scholarships to amateur and professional artists (middle school age to adult) supporting visual and performing arts education and career development in the Ridgewood, NJ area. Nearly 250 grants and scholarships have been awarded since 2016.
• Annual Honors Showcase Annual fundraising event celebrating talented musical and visual artists in the Ridgewood community, featuring live performances, art exhibits, silent auctions, and notecard sales. Proceeds support RAF's grant and scholarship programs. The 2024 showcase was the most successful to date, debuting the Capturing Nature notecard series.
• Art in the Park Annual fine art fair at Memorial Park, Van Neste Square, Ridgewood NJ, featuring fine artists and artisans working in textiles, fiber, printmaking, pottery, painting, sculpture, photography, jewelry, glass, metal, charcoal, and more. Booth fee: $175. Next event scheduled for September 19, 2026.
• ARTober Exhibit Annual October art exhibition showcasing over 100 works from more than 50 artists, presented at The Stable in Ridgewood, NJ. The 3rd annual ARTober (2025) featured over 100 works from more than 50 artists.
• Salons Intimate panel discussions on fine arts topics hosted in private homes, featuring appetizers and refreshments, connecting community members through dialogue and shared artistic ideas. Topics include stained glass, flowers in art, light/color/storytelling, and more.
• Capturing Nature Notecards Notecard sets featuring winning entries from the annual Notecard Art Competition. Each set includes 12 cards with envelopes in a clear presentation box, sold for $25 with $10 flat-rate shipping and local pickup available. Proceeds support RAF's mission.
• Internship Program Non-paid internship program providing experience in marketing, social media, event planning, and arts administration for young adults and teens interested in the arts sector. Open to teen representatives and young adults.
• Local Art Gem Tours Guided tours of museums, galleries, and cultural institutions including the Newark Museum of Art, Montclair Art Museum, Barrymore Film Center (Fort Lee NJ), and international virtual tours. The December 2023 Barrymore Film Center tour drew peak attendance of 33 participants.
• photograpHER: Works by Women Exhibit Juried photography exhibition showcasing works by women photographers, presented July 7-29, 2025 at The Stable in Ridgewood, NJ in partnership with the Conservancy for Ridgewood Public Lands. Featured 75 original works by 50 women photographers from New Jersey and New York.

Quantifiable outcome

• Nearly 250 grants and scholarships awarded to artists and arts organizations since 2016
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Conservancy for Ridgewood Public Lands (CFRPL)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 July 2025RAF collaborated with CFRPL on the PhotograpHER: Works by Women exhibit (July 7-29, 2025), a juried art show featuring 75 works by 50 women photographers. Both organizations benefit from 20% of artwork sales donated collectively to support their shared mission of arts and environmental stewardship in the community.
• Barrymore Film CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRAF conducted its Annual Local Art Gem Tour at the Barrymore Film Center in Fort Lee, NJ (December 2023), with 33 participants receiving private museum tours and attending a film screening.
• The Stable (Ridgewood)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Stable in Ridgewood serves as the venue for RAF's major exhibitions including ARTober and PhotograpHER, providing gallery space for artist showcases.
• Master Art Studio GalleryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMaster Art Studio Gallery hosted the 2nd annual ARTober exhibit (October 2024) with over 30 artists represented. Sasha Robinson and her team provide the display space.
• Ridgewood Public LibraryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRAF has partnered with Ridgewood Public Library for scholarship recipient showcases and community events, including a September 2022 showcase at the library.
• J&R Lamb StudiosminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAmerica's preeminent stained glass fabrication and restoration experts, J&R Lamb Studios participated in the Stained Glass Salon (June 2024) providing expert insight on stained glass artistry.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Princeton Area Community Foundation: Community foundation serving central New Jersey with grantmaking, scholarships, and community programs. Highly comparable as a similarly-sized NJ community foundation focused on arts, education, and local nonprofits.
• Two River Theater: Red Bank, NJ-based regional theater company with associated foundation supporting performing arts in New Jersey. Comparable as a NJ-based performing arts organization with foundation grantmaking and community programming.
• Community Foundation of New Jersey: Morristown, NJ-based community foundation providing grants and philanthropic services across New Jersey. Directly comparable as a NJ community grantmaking organization with a similar local-arts funding focus and donor-advised fund model.
• Count Basie Center for the Arts: Red Bank, NJ-based nonprofit performing arts center with education programs and supporting foundation. Comparable as a NJ regional arts center with multiple programming streams and donor-supported operations.
• Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC): Englewood, NJ-based nonprofit performing arts center hosting events, education programs, and a supporting foundation. Comparable to RAF as a Northern NJ arts organization with events, education, and donor-driven funding.
• National Arts Club: Private NYC-based arts club that supports artists through grants, exhibitions, and programming. Comparable as a private arts organization that awards grants to artists and operates signature cultural programs.
• Montclair Art Museum: Montclair, NJ-based nonprofit art museum with exhibitions, education, and community programs. Comparable as a NJ nonprofit arts organization with events, donor funding, and community engagement focus.

Broad incumbents

• Americans for the Arts: National nonprofit dedicated to advancing the arts in America through advocacy, research, and grantmaking. Comparable to RAF's mission at a national scale but with broader scope and substantially larger resources.
• New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA): Largest NY-based arts grantmaking and service organization offering grants, fellowships, and capacity-building. Comparable mission to RAF but at substantially larger scale and broader regional reach.

Regional players

• ArtPride New Jersey: New Jersey state arts advocacy and service organization supporting the state's nonprofit arts community. Comparable as a NJ-based arts support organization, though focused on statewide advocacy rather than direct grantmaking.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/people/Ridgewood-Arts-Foundation/100063538676818
• Instagraminstagram.com/ridgewoodartsfoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ridgewoodartsfoundation

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Ridgewood Arts Foundation