Theaterworks Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THEATERWORKS' MISSION IS TO SHARE INTIMATE STORIES THAT ENGAGE ALL AUDIENCES. IT CREATES EXCEPTIONAL CONTEMPORARY THEATER THAT ENTERTAINS, CELEBRATES NEW VOICES, AND INVITES MEANINGFUL CONVERSATIONS. ITS VISION IS TO INSPIRE A MORE MEANINGFUL CONNECTION TO EACH OTHER AND TO OUR COMMUNITY.
- Income
- $3.0 million
- Spending
- $3.4 million
- Spent on programs
- 77%
- Reserves
- -0.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 47%
- Employees
- 93
- Volunteers
- 8
- Highest pay
- $132,954, artistic director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 50 out of 100. Higher than 20% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 20% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 14% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 12% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1577% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 19 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 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 2518 of 18 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 August 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 (2)
- $2.7 million spent. THE COMPANY'S ARTISTIC QUALITY AND RECORD OF ACHIEVEMENT ARE EMBODIED IN ITS HISTORY OF GROWTH AND ACCOMPLISHMENT. ITS SEASON WAS PROGRAMMED WITH 4 PRODUCTIONS TO MAKE UP A SUBSCRIPTION PACKAGE, PLUS A HOLIDAY SHOW AVAILABLE FOR SINGLE TICKET SALES. TWH SOLD OVER 2,700 SUBSCRIPTIONS FOR THE 24-25 SEASON RANGING IN PRICE FROM $190 TO $260. (SMALLER PACKAGES AND LOWER PRICES AVAILABLE LATER IN THE SEASON.) ALL 5 SHOWS AVERAGED ATTENDANCE WAS 82% OF TOTAL CAPACITY.
- $9,643 spent. THEATERWORKS CONTINUES TO REBUILD ITS EDUCATION PROGRAM POST PANDEMIC. THERE WERE 16 UNPAID INTERNS USED AS PART OF SHOW RUN CREWS. THESE LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE STUDENTS PRIMARILY COME FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF HARTFORD AND HARTFORD PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND USE INTERNSHIPS AT THEATERWORKS TO SUPPLEMENT THEIR EDUCATION. BEING AT THEATERWORKS TO SEE HOW A PROFESSIONAL THEATER RUNS BEHIND THE SCENES IS INVALUABLE TO THEIR CAREER READINESS. ADDITIONALLY, THEATERWORKS CONTINUES TO OFFER ALL-FREE STUDENT MATINEES THROUGHOUT THE SEASON. THE MATINEES ARE PRIMARILY AVAILABLE TO HARTFORD PUBLIC SCHOOLS WHO HAVE LIMITED RESOURCES FOR ARTS EDUCATION WITH THE MAJORITY OF STUDENTS HAVING NEVER BEEN EXPOSED TO LIVE THEATER. WITH RECENT GRANT FUNDING, THEATERWORKS CONTINUES TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE FREE BUS TRANSPORTATION IN ADDITION TO THE FREE ADMISSION.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 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 October 13, 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 November 6, 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 October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending August 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since February 1987.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 November 4, 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.