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Sandglass Center for Puppetry & Theater Research Ltd

EIN 04-3340533 · Putney, VT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood86 out of 100GovernanceGood76 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Sandglass Theater is dedicated to the arts of theater and puppetry as a means of exploring contemporary issues, inspiring dialogue, and sparking wonder. To this end, we develop and promote innovative work in puppetry and theater.

Income
$392,120
Spending
$353,481
Spent on programs
64%
Reserves
9.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 56%
Employees
4
Volunteers
50
Highest pay
$45,861, artistic director

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: 86 out of 100. Higher than 71% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 9.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 5% 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 23% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    64% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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

Good: 76 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 10 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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 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 (5)
  1. $136,197 spent. Sandglass had a very active year locally with its 2024 installments of the Winter Sunshine Series, the Voices of Community series, and the annual Crankie Show. In addition to shows at our home theater barn, Winter Sunshine artists also presented several school shows. Voices of Community had artists of diverse ethnicities and cultures do seed residencies to develop new material to then share with our local audience. Our biggest local project was our biannual Puppets in the Green Mountains international puppet festival. Puppeteers and theater artists came from across the country and from around the world, as did our audiences. The theme of the festival was "Just Around the Bend." The festival included the world premier of Sandglass's newest production entitled "Feral."
  2. $56,883 spent. Sandglass also had a busy touring year. Three shows for children and families, "PUNSCHI," "Oma," "Isidor's Cheek" toured in Vermont, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts. "When I Put On Your Glove" toured in New Hampshire, Maine, and Pennsylvania. "The Amazing Story Machine" was performed at the Chicago Puppet Festival, and the "Babylon" film was shown at the Festival of Wonder.
  3. $29,837 spent. Sandglass provided an artist residency in three Vermont Schools and one New Hampshire school. Sandglass provided a "Babylon" film showing and workshop for an Ethiopian Community Development Council fundraiser. Sandglass also presented a workshop as part of the Puppets in the Green Mountains festival. Sandglass conducted its annual Summer Intensive training, attracting puppeteers from across the nation and from around the world.
  4. $4,176 spent. Theater rental to visiting artists and Sale of merchandise (puppets, books, videos, and art work).
  5. Other program services are theater rental to visiting artists and sale of merchandise (puppets, books, videos, crankies, and art work)

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 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 December 2024.

    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 January 1997.

    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.