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Opera House Arts

EIN 01-0526734 · Stonington, ME

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair68 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

OPERA HOUSE ARTS WAS ESTABLISHED AS A 501(C)3 IN 1999 TO RESTORE THE HISTORIC 1912 STONINGTON OPERA HOUSE TO ITS CENTRAL ROLE IN THE CULTURAL LIFE OF THE DEER ISLE COMMUNITY. OUR MISSION IS TO FOSTER AND PROMOTE EXCELLENCE IN ALL THE WAYS WE PERFORM OUR LIVES:INCITE ART, CREATE COMMUNITY. TODAY, THE STONINGTON OPERA HOUSE IS A HISTORIC CENTER OF CULTURE AND ENTERTAINMENT, A PERFORMANCE SPACE, AND A CIVIC GATHERING PLACE. OUR WORK IS ROOTED IN THE BELIEF THAT ACCESS TO AND PARTICIPATION IN THE ARTS TRANSFORMS LIVES. WE OFFER A YEAR-ROUND SCHEDULE OF THEATRICAL PERFORMANCES, FILM, CONCERTS - INCLUDING A JAZZ FESTIVAL - TRIVIA AND OPENMIC NIGHTS, AND EVENTS THAT HONOR DOWNEAST CULTURE AND GIVE OUR COMMUNITY A VOICE.WE OPERATE UNDER AN ACTORS EQUITY SMALL PROFESSIONAL THEATRE CONTRACT AND PRODUCE NEW AND ORIGINAL PROFESSIONAL, MULTIDISCIPLINARY PERFORMANCES THAT ARE RECOGNIZED LOCALLY AND NATIONALLY. OUR AUDIENCES ARE THE RESIDENTS OF DEER ISLE, THE BLUE HILL PENINSULA, ANDHANCOCK COUNTY W

Income
$1.2 million
Spending
$1.1 million
Spent on programs
63%
Reserves
3.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 78%
Employees
34
Volunteers
11
Highest pay
$52,308, executive di

Source: Form 990 for the year ending October 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 68 out of 100. Higher than 44% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 6% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 10% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 19% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    63% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 15 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending October 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 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

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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 October 31, 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 (1)
  1. $667,450 spent. OPERA HOUSE ARTS SERVED DEER ISLE, BLUE HILL PENINSULA, AND HANCOCK COUNTY COMMUNITIES, REGIONAL VISITORS, AND TOURISTS BY OFFERING PROFESSIONAL THEATRICAL PERFORMANCES, CONCERTS, INTERGENERATIONAL ENTERTAINMENT, AND CIVIC GATHERINGS. WE FEATURED REGIONAL AND NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED ARTISTS, PERFORMERS, AND SPEAKERS IN A WELCOMING AND INVITING ENVIRONMENT WHILE REMAINING A GOOD STEWARD OF A 113 YEAR OLD THEATER ON THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORICAL PLACES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending October 31, 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 October 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 November 1999.

    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.

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