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Passes our checks

Greater Boston Stage Company

EIN 04-3521896 · Stoneham, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak24 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Only 48% 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

WE BRING VIBRANT PROFESSIONAL THEATRE AND DRAMATIC EDUCATION BEYOND THE BOUNDARIES OF BOSTON, FEATURING WORLD AND REGIONAL PREMIERES ALONGSIDE FRESH INTERPRETATIONS OF FAMILIAR WORK. WITHIN THIS SETTING,WE UNIQUELY FOSTER FUTURE ARTISTS THROUGH THE EDUCATION PROGRAM.

Income
$2.2 million
Spending
$2.5 million
Spent on programs
48%
Reserves
-2.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 73%
Employees
168
Volunteers
105

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

Weak: 24 out of 100. Higher than 2% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 56% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 14% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 17% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    48% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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

    9 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

    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 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 (3)
  1. $872,246 spent. MAINSTAGE PROGRAM: WE PRODUCE 6-7 SHOWS EACH YEAR AS PART OF OURMAINSTAGE SERIES AT GREATER BOSTON STAGE COMPANY. AS A PROFESSIONALNOT-FOR-PROFIT REGIONAL THEATRE WE WORK WITH THE HIGHEST CALIBER OFPROFESSIONAL ACTORS, DIRECTORS AND DESIGNERS TO CREATE THE HIGHESTQUALITY THEATRE POSSIBLE.
  2. $228,313 spent. EDUCATION PROGRAM: OUR EDUCATION PROGRAM, THE YOUNG COMPANY BELIEVESTHAT GOOD THEATRE MAKES GOOD PEOPLE. WE PROVIDE YEAR-ROUND TRAINING ANDPERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES TO STUDENTS IN GRADES 1-12 WITH A VITALCONNECTION TO OUR PROFESSIONAL COMPANY.
  3. $128,451 spent. CONCERT PROGRAMS: DESPITE BUSY MAINSTAGE & EDUCATION SEASONS, THETHEATRE ROUNDS OUT ITS OFFERINGS WITH CONCERT & RENTAL EVENTS AS THESCHEDULE ALLOWS. THESE SPECIAL EVENTS TEND TO DRAW A VERY DIFFERENTAUDIENCE, WHICH ALLOWS THE THEATRE TO SERVE A BROADER POPULATION.ADDITIONALLY, THIS PROGRAMMING CONTRIBUTES TO THE THEATRE'S BOTTOM LINEHELPING TO SUPPORT THE MORE ADVENTUROUS PRODUCTIONS IN THE MAINSTAGESEASON.

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 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 June 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 March 2001.

    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.