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Worcester Center for Performing Arts Inc

EIN 05-0521735 · Worcester, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak38 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WORCESTER CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS PROMOTES AND/OR HOSTS MORE THAN 250 PERFORMANCES AND WELCOMES MORE THAN 150,000 ATTENDEES EACH YEAR. THE HANOVER THEATRE CONSERVATORY REACHES MORE THAN 700 STUDENTS IN THEATRE, TECHNICAL THEATRE AND DANCE CLASSES AND SUMMER PROGRAMS. THE HANOVER THEATRE REPORTORY BRINGS TO THE STAGE A SERIES OF PLAYS PRODUCED IN WORCESTER, FOR WORCESTER. IN ADDITION TO PROVIDING A VENUE FOR BROADWAY SHOWS AND OTHER WORLD-CLASS PERFORMANCES PREVIOUSLY UNAVAILABLE IN OUR REGION, THE THEATRE HAS GREATLY INCREASED THE VISIBILITY OF WORCESTER AS A CULTURAL DESTINATION AND HAS CATALYZED PROFOUND CHANGE IN ITS DOWNTOWN.

Income
$12.8 million
Spending
$13.6 million
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
0.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 80%
Employees
368
Volunteers
246
Highest pay
$342,692, president/ceo (former)

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: 38 out of 100. Higher than 6% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 31% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 7% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 17% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 24 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

    29 of 29 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 (1)
  1. $10.8 million spent. WORCESTER CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS PROMOTES AND/OR HOSTS MORE THAN 250 PERFORMANCES AND WELCOMES MORE THAN 150,000 ATTENDEES EACH YEAR. THE HANOVER THEATRE CONSERVATORY REACHES MORE THAN 700 STUDENTS IN THEATRE, TECHNICAL THEATRE AND DANCE CLASSES AND SUMMER PROGRAMS. THE HANOVER THEATRE REPORTORY BRINGS TO THE STAGE A SERIES OF PLAYS PRODUCED IN WORCESTER, FOR WORCESTER. IN ADDITION TO PROVIDING A VENUE FOR BROADWAY SHOWS AND OTHER WORLD-CLASS PERFORMANCES PREVIOUSLY UNAVAILABLE IN OUR REGION, THE THEATRE HAS GREATLY INCREASED THE VISIBILITY OF WORCESTER AS A CULTURAL DESTINATION AND HAS CATALYZED PROFOUND CHANGE IN ITS DOWNTOWN.

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 October 2002.

    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.