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Flynn Center for the Performing Arts Ltd

EIN 03-0277052 · Burlington, 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

THE FLYNN CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS FOSTERS THE ENJOYMENT, UNDERSTANDING AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE PERFORMING ARTS IN VERMONT THROUGH DIVERSE AND ENGAGING ARTISITIC EXPERIENCES. THE FLYNN FULFILLS THIS MISSION THROUGH THE FOLLOWING:DEVELOPING, MAINTAINING AND MANAGING THE HISTORIC FLYNN THEATER AND FLYNN CENTER PROPERTIES TO MEET CURRENT AND EVOLVING PERFORMING ARTS NEEDS.PRESENTING A DIVERSE RANGE OF HIGH QUALITY PERFORMANCES BY ESTABLISHED AND EMERGING ARTIST THAT EXPAND AND ENRICH THE COMMUNITY'S CULTURAL EXPERIENCES.PROVIDING EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS THAT ENGAGE CHILDREN, TEENS AND ADULTS IN THE ARTISTIC PROCESS, CULTIVATE APPRECIATION OF THE PERFORMING ARTS, AND MAKE THE PERFORMING ARTS AN INTEGRAL PART OF SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY LIFE.SUPPORT LOCAL, NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL ARTISTS IN THE DEVELOPMENT AND PRESENTATION OF THEIR WORK.

Income
$9.4 million
Spending
$8.6 million
Spent on programs
65%
Reserves
5.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 53%
Employees
221
Volunteers
160
Highest pay
$216,720, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, 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 5.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 9% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 16% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    65% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 20 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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

    22 of 22 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 June 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 (2)
  1. $5.2 million spent. THE FLYNN CURATES AND HOSTS A FULL SEASON OF MULTIDISCIPLINARY WORK; THE BURLINGTON DISCOVER JAZZ FESTIVAL; EXHIBITIONS FEATURING VERMONT ARTISTS, STUDENT MATINEE PROGRAMMING; IN-SCHOOL WORKSHOPS AND ARTS INTEGRATION TRAINING FOR TEACHERS; RESIDENCIES PROVIDING CREATION TIME AND SPACE FOR ARTISTS. WE ARE DEEPLY COMMITTED TO MAKING THE ARTS ACCESSIBLE AND INCLUSIVE THROUGHOUT OUR VERMONT COMMUNITIES. THE FLYNN SEEKS TO ENGAGE, CHALLENGE, AND REIMAGINE WHAT PERFORMING ARTS CAN LOOK LIKE IN OUR COMMUNITY AND CONTINUALLY PUSHES BEYOND THE BOUNDS OF OUR PHYSICAL SPACES, TAKING PERFORMANCES INTO PARKS, OUTDOOR MARKETPLACES, SCHOOLS, AND FARMS. WE INVEST IN FREE SHOWS AND ART IN PUBLIC SPACES AND SEEK TO INCLUDE A DIVERSE RANGE OF VOICES THROUGHOUT OUR PROGRAMMING. (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O) GUEST CURATORS BRING NEW PERSPECTIVES TO FESTIVALS AND PERFORMANCE SERIES, AND PARTNERSHIPS WITH SCHOOLS, NONPROFITS, AND OTHER ARTS ORGANIZATIONS ARE FURTHER EXPANDING OUR COMMUNITY.
  2. $397,792 spent. THE FLYNN OPENS ITS CAMPUS AND PARTNERS WITH OTHER ARTS ORGANIZATIONS OFF CAMPUS TO PROVIDE LESSONS, KIDS' CAMPS, AND WORKSHOPS. AGES 0 TO 100 ARE SERVED BY OUR EDUCATIONAL AND COMMUNITY INITIATIVES. WHILE OUR YOUNGEST PARTICIPANTS ENJOY THE MONTHLY FREE FLYNNZONE KIDS' HOUR, AND FAMILY SHOWS, SOME OF OUR OLDEST PARTICIPANTS CONNECT WITH ONE ANOTHER AND ENGAGE IN THERAPEUTIC MOVEMENT THROUGH OUR CHERISHED MOVEMENT FOR PARKINSON'S CLASS, BOTH IN-PERSON AND ONLINE. PEOPLE OF ALL AGES CAN ENJOY CLASSES SUCH AS TAP, COMEDIC STORYTELLING, AND CREATIVE WRITING, AND CHILDREN AND TEENS CAN FIND OPPORTUNITIES TO IMMERSE THEMSELVES IN A CREATIVE CAMP OR CLASS LED BY SKILLED TEACHING ARTISTS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 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 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 June 2025.

    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 November 1980.

    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.

  7. Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.

    A much larger organization has a similar name: John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (Washington, DC), EIN 53-0245017. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.

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