Zeiterion Theatre Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- Only 24% of its spending went to programs.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
THE ZEITERION PERFORMING ARTS CENTER'S MISSION IS TO STEWARD OUR HISTORIC THEATER AS A GATHERING PLACE FOR PERFORMING ARTS EXPERIENCES WHERE LEARNING, CONNECTION, AND CREATIVE EXPRESSION THRIVE.
- Income
- $7.9 million
- Spending
- $2.6 million
- Spent on programs
- 25%
- Reserves
- 2.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 71%
- Employees
- 63
- Volunteers
- 91
- Highest pay
- $194,147, president & ceo
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 46 out of 100. Higher than 17% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 2.5 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 30% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 67% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 21% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 1524% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 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 2515 of 15 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 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 (3)
- $458,902 spent. CENTER PRESENTATIONSTHE Z PRESENTS A WIDE ARRAY OF HIGH-QUALITY PERFORMANCES EACH YEAR TO AUDIENCES FROM NEW BEDFORD, SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES, AND BEYOND. FROM LIVE MUSIC, TO MUSICALS, TO DANCE, AND COMEDY, THE LIVE PERFORMANCE SERIES FEATURES NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONALLY ACCLAIMED ARTISTS AS WELL AS ARTISTS HAILING FROM THE SOUTHEASTERN MASSACHUSETTS REGION.
- $186,213 spent. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMSTHE Z PROVIDES ARTS EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT THROUGH HIGH-QUALITY PROGRAMS FOR INDIVIDUALS OF ALL AGES, ABILITIES, AND BACKGROUNDS IN AND AROUND THE NEW BEDFORD, MASSACHUSETTS COMMUNITY. ITS EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, SUCH AS THE SCHOOLTIME PERFORMANCE SERIES, CREATIVE CLASSROOM, AND SUPERART, FOCUS ON FOSTERING SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEARNING AND CREATIVE EXPRESSION WHILE PARTNERING WITH LOCAL SCHOOLS AND NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS.
- HALL RENTAL OPERATIONSTHE Z PROVIDES A WELCOMING HOME FOR ARTS ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS NEW BEDFORD SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA AND NEW BEDFORD FESTIVAL THEATRE. THE Z OFFERS A WELL-EQUIPPED PERFORMANCE VENUE THAT INCLUDES A BOX OFFICE, A VOLUNTEER USHER CORPS, FULL CONCESSIONS SERVICES, MARKETING SUPPORT, AND PROFESSIONAL PRODUCTION CREW AND EQUIPMENT. THERE WAS NO ACTIVITY IN THIS PROGRAM DURING 2025.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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.
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.
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.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since January 1988.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
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.