Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Dorset Theatre Festival

EIN 03-0267296 · Dorset, VT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

DORSET THEATRE FESTIVAL., INC.'s mission is to create bold, innovative, and authentic theatre that engages a diverse, multi-generational community, and economically diverse region: enlightening, entertraining, and inspiring our audience through the celebration of great plays.

Income
$1.7 million
Spending
$1.5 million
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 52%
Employees
91
Volunteers
70

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 10% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 22% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 16 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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

    13 of 13 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.

  • 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 December 31, 2024, 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. $1.3 million spent. FROM JUNE TO SEPTEMBER, THE FESTIVAL MOUNTS FOUR MAIN STAGE PRODUCTIONS DRAWING FROM SOME OF THE COUNTRY'S MOST TALENTED PLAYWRIGHTS, ACTORS AND DIRECTORS.***UNDER THE RECENT LEADERSHIP OF EXECUTIVE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR WILL RUCKER, THE FESTIVAL IS CHANGING THE LANDSCAPE OF REGIONAL THEATRE. BOLD AND INNOVATIVE, DORSET THEATRE FESTIVAL IS GARNERING ACCOLADES FOR ITS COMMITMENT TO NEW PLAY DEVELOPMENT AND IS PROUD TO ENCOURAGE A NEW GENERATION OF PLAYWRIGHTS TO TEST THEIR VOICES HERE. WE DISCOVER NEW TALENT. WE LAUNCH PLAYS THAT GO ON TO NATIONAL ACCLAIM AND THE LIGHTS OF BROADWAY, AS WELL AS MOUNT REGIONAL PREMIERES OF TONY AWARD-WINNING PLAYS TO BRING THE BEST OF OFF-BROADWAY TO VERMONT.***SINCE 2010, OUR GIVING BACK PROGRAM HAS HELPED EXPAND THE REACH OF OUR PRODUCTIONS AND EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVES BY PROVIDING FREE AND REDUCED-COST TICKETS TO THOSE WHO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY EVERYDAY AND THEIR FAMILIES. THESE EFFORTS REACH A NEW GENERATION OF THEATRE AUDIENCES BY PROVIDING PATHWAYS FOR ALL MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY TO SEE WORLD-CLASS THEATRE. EMS WORKERS, FIREFIGHTERS, POLICE, VETERANS AND ACTIVE-DUTY MILITARY, FARMERS, SPECIAL NEEDS COMMUNITY MEMBERS, STUDENT GRADUATES OF THE REFUSE TO USE PROGRAM, HABITAT FOR HUMANITY FAMILIES AND VOLUNTEERS AND NEIGHBOR TO NEIGHBOR VOLUNTEERS.***IN ADDITION, SINCE 2021 THE FESTIVAL HAS OFFERED BUY-ONE-GET ONE TICKETS TO EDUCATORS, AN AFFORDABLE TICKET LOTTERY FOR ALL PERFORMANCES, AND COMPLIMENTARY SPONSORSHIPS TO MINORITY-LED BUSINESSES AND GROUPS THROUGH THE COMMUNITY INCLUSION PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM.***DORSET THEATRE FESTIVAL'S NEW PLAY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS WORKS WITH PLAYWRIGHTS FROM CONCEPTION TO PRODUCTION, PROVIDING AN INCUBATOR TO HELP NURTURE NEW VOICES TO SPEAK FROM THEIR OWN EXPERIENCE, ENGAGING IDEAS THAT COME FROM AND RETURN TO OUR COMMUNITY.***THE PIPELINE SERIES FEATURES NEW WORKS AND PROJECTS IN PROCESS THROUGH A VARIETY OF PRESENTATION AND WORKSHOP STYLES. ONE-NIGHT-ONLY PRESENTATIONS, WRITER RESIDENCIES, AND EXTENDED WORKSHOPS BENEFIT. TODAY'S TOP THEATRICAL TALENTS, AS THEY TRAVEL TO DORSET TO WORK ON BRAND NEW PLAYS OR TO TRY OUT BRAND NEW COLLABORATIONS. MANY OF THE PLAYS IN THE SERIES WILL BE FEATURED IN FUTURE DORSET THEATRE MAIN STAGE SEASONS. CONNECTING ARTISTS TO THE FESTIVAL THROUGH THIS DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY MEANS OUR AUDIENCE CAN SAY THEY WERE HERE WHEN HITS WERE BORN.***

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

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

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since June 1978.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.