Musicals at Richter Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
Musicals at Richter Inc. is Connecticuts longest-running outdoor theater company. Performances are held on weekends at the Richter Arts Center next to the Richter Park Golf Course 100 Aunt Hack Road in Danbury from June through August. Nestled in the hills of Western Connecticut the Arts Center stage has served as the scenic backdrop for dozens of musicals produced by Musicals at Richter as well as a professional springboard for hundreds of up-and-coming performers. Staging productions since 1985 MAR has produced over 100 musical productions with performances attended by over 420,000 audience members from the Greater Danbury area. MAR is celebrating its 35th year of performances in the historic Richter Arts Center. Traditionally MAR hosts three musicals operettas per summer season two Summer Youth Musical Theatre Workshops and Fairy Tale Theatre for children. MAR favors family-oriented shows with many opportunities for both children and parents.
- Income
- $263,714
- Spending
- $256,930
- Spent on programs
- 60%
- Reserves
- -2.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 53%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 30
Source: Form 990 for the year ending October 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 54 out of 100. Higher than 22% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 26% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 3% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 36% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1560% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending October 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 73 out of 100. Higher than 51% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2515 of 15 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
0 of 7Reports no 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.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
0 of 10Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending October 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 (3)
- $131,295 spent. Provide opportunity for the community of both adults and children to grow in their knowledge of self and the theatrical arts through the production of high quality amateur outdoor theater productions. This was 2 shows THE LITTLE MERMAID and EVITA with total mainstage audience of nearly 4,000.
- $20,695 spent. Grow the theatrical abilities and self-confidence of children and youth through a theater workshop by professional theater talent and a full production of musicals. We bring in talent from Broadway in educational seminars relevant to that show. The workshop produced BEETLEJUICE JR. in 2025.
- $1,878 spent. Fairy Tale Theater is a collection of small shows by children in a repertory company format staged interactively for audiences of younger children and their caregivers. We created new engaging material and delivered 4 performances for approximately 300 audience members total.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending October 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 October 13, 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 October 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 November 1991.
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 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.