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Providence Performing Arts Center

EIN 05-0377244 · Providence, RI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO SERVE THE ENTERTAINMENT NEEDS OF THE STATE'S VARIOUS POPULATIONS BY PRESENTING THE WIDEST POSSIBLE VARIETY OF HIGH-QUALITY ARTS AND CULTURAL EVENTS. TO CONNECT THE COMMUNITY TO ENGAGING CREATIVE PERFORMANCES AND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES. TO PRESERVE THE HISTORIC INTEGRITY AND BEAUTY OF THE BUILDING. TO MAINTAIN FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY.

Income
$34.8 million
Spending
$31.6 million
Spent on programs
81%
Reserves
26.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 80%
Employees
540
Volunteers
138
Highest pay
$991,756, president/ceo

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

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

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 26.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 12% 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 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    81% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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 34% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    37 of 37 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. $3.5 million spent. TO PRESERVE THE HISTORIC INTEGRITY AND BEAUTY OF THIS BUILDING; TO SERVE THE ENTERTAINMENT NEEDS OF THE STATE'S VARIOUS POPULATIONS BY PRESENDING THE WIDEST POSSIBLE VARIETY OF HIGH QUALITY ARTS AND CULTURAL EVENTS; TO MAINTAIN FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY; TO CONNECT THE COMMUNITY TO ENGAGING CREATIVE PERFORMANCES AND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES.
  2. $22.1 million spent. COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAMS INCLUDE: ARTS SHOWCASE ENABLES APPROXIMATELY 10,000 ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS TO ATTEND PPAC TO EXPERIENCE JOY AND CREATIVITY OF LIVE THEATER. BOOKS TO BROADWAY EXPOSES MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TO THE THEATRE BY PROVIDING UNDERWRITIEN TICKETS TO BROADWAY SHOWS COMBINED WITH A CAST MEMBER "MEET & GREET". SEATS FOR SERVICE MEMBERS GIVES MEMBERS OF THE RI NATIONAL GUARD/USO NEW ENGLAND AND THEIR FAMILIES THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPERIENCE LIVE THEATRE BY PROVIDING UNDERWRITIEN "PREFERRED SEATING" TO PPAC'S BROADWAY PERFORMANCES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. WONDERS OF THE WURLITZER IS A FREE CONCERT SERIES. PEOPLE OF ALL AGES COME TO LISTEN TO THE MUSIC PERFORMED BY LOCAL ORGANISTS PLAYED ON PPAC'S ONE-OF-A-KIND 1927 WURLITZER PIPE ORGAN. PPAC'S ARTS SCHOLARSHIPS PROGRAMS HAVE PROVIDED FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO STUDENTS GRAGES 6 TO 8 WHO WISH TO ENROLL IN SUMMBER EDUCATION PROGRAMS. BIG DREAMS BEGIN WITH BROADWAY OFFERS PRIME ORCHESTRA SEATS FOR BROADWAY PERFORMANCES TO BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF RHODE ISLAND TO DISTRIBUTE TO THEIR MENTORS AND CHILDREN. EXPERIENCE PPAC CREATES THE OPPORTUNITY FOR EVERY 10TH GRADE STUDENT IN RHODE ISLAND TO SEE A SELECT TOURING BROADWAY PERFORMANCE AT NO COST. SHOW STUDY GUIDES WILL BE PROVIDED TO SCHOOLS PRIOR TO THEIR ATIENDANCE SO THAT THEY CAN ENGAGE IN THE EDUCATIONAL MATERIAL CREATIVE CONCEPTS PRIOR TO ATTENDING. DISNEY MUSICALS IN SCHOOLS CREATES SUSTAINABLE MUSICAL THEATER IN UNDER-RESOURCED SCHOOLS. NEXT STOP BROADWAY TRANSPORTS LOCAL THEATER-LOVING YOUTH AGES 10-17 TO THE "GOLDEN AGE OF BROADWAY" THROUGH WORKSHOPS, CLASSES AND REHEARSALS.OCEAN STATE STAR AWARDS CELEBRATES THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF STUDENTS, TEACHERS AND DESIGNERS INVOLVED IN HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL THATER PROGRAMS.

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 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.