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Opera Maine

EIN 01-0496860 · Portland, ME

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood82 out of 100GovernanceGood86 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Opera Maine is dedicated to providing creative and inspiring opera productions of artistic excellence that attract regional, national, and international audiences

Income
$719,073
Spending
$713,302
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
4.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 53%
Employees
3
Volunteers
60
Highest pay
$69,642, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 82 out of 100. Higher than 59% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 11% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 15 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 86 out of 100. Higher than 73% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    17 of 17 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (4)
  1. $447,790 spent. In 2025, Opera Maine extended its season to include a winter production. On January 24 and 26, in collaboration with the Portland Symphony Orchestra, we presented a semi-staged performance of Puccini's La Boheme in Merrill Auditorium in Portland. The production was a critical success and drew an audience of 3,300. The two performances of our summer mainstage opera, Sondheim's Sweeney Todd, were presented in Merrill on July 24 and 27 to a total of 2,870 spectators. This was the first American work that Opera Maine has produced on its mainstage. Praised by Opera News as a "theatrically compelling and musically excellent production", Sweeney Todd featured a stellar cast of internationally renowned singers. It was directed with "cinematic sweep" by the company's Artistic Director, Dona D. Vaughn, while conductor Israel Gursky led "with precision and elan". Through Opera Maine's Opera for All initiative, 128 youth aged 21 and under attended the opera at no cost.
  2. $38,318 spent. On June 28 and 29, Opera Maine's Studio Artist Program presented two performances of Paul's Case, a contemporary chamber opera by Gregory Spears and Kathryn Walat. Held at Stevens Square Theater in Portland the production featured seven emerging opera singers and attracted an audience of 230. Opera Maine's dramaturg Calien Lewis gave pre-performance talks and joined the composer and artists in post-performance conversation.
  3. $9,500 spent. In 2025, Opera Maine provided community engagement and educational programs that expanded access to opera and vocal music education across Maine. Through its Opera for All initiative, the organization served more than 1,100 K-12 students at five schools in four counties, prioritizing communities with limited access to arts education. Programs were delivered in partnership with local schools and the University of Southern Maine Vocal Studies Program, combining student-focused arts education with professional development for emerging artists. Additional community programs included the Opera Film Series at OceanView in Falmouth, which reached approximately 250 attendees, as well as community concerts and collaborative events with cultural institutions. Opera Maine also expanded access through free ticket initiatives, including partnerships with VetTix and 1stTix, thereby introducing new audiences to live opera. These programs emphasized accessibility, arts education, and audience development, using music and performance to foster community connection and cultural enrichment.
  4. $85,874 spent. Overhead expenses properly allocated to programs

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending September 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since April 1995.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.