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Connecticut Association for the Performing Arts

EIN 06-1625278 · New Haven, CT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE ASSOCIATION BRINGS THE WORLD TO OUR LEGENDARY STAGE, ENRICHES LIVES, AND CREATES COMMUNITY THROUGH OUR MISSION TO: (1) PRESERVE THE LEGACY OF THE HISTORIC SHUBERT THEATRE IN NEW HAVEN AS AN ICON OF THE AMERICAN THEATRE BY OPERATING AND EVOLVING OUR THEATRE AS A WORLD CLASS PERFORMING ARTS CENTER; (2) PRESENT INTERNATIONAL, NATIONAL AND LOCAL PROGRAMMING OF THE HIGHEST QUALITY, FEATURING RENOWNED ARTISTS FROM ALL CULTURES AND EMBRACING ALL GENRES OF THE PERFORMING ARTS AND THE DIVERSITY OF OUR LOCAL CULTURE AND COMMUNITY; (3) EDUCATE, INSPIRE, AND BUILD NEW AND DIVERSE AUDIENCES BY OFFERING EDUCATION AND OUTREACH PROGRAMS WHICH INTEGRATE THE ARTS INTO OUR COMMUNITY AND BY PROVIDING AFFORDABLE ACCESS TO LIVE PERFORMANCES AT OUR THEATRE; (4) STRENGTHEN OUR ARTS COMMUNITIES THROUGH ADVOCACY, PARTNERSHIP, COLLABORATION, AND MUTUAL SUPPORT; (5) INVIGORATE THE LOCAL ECONOMY THROUGH THE PROGRAMMING WE PRESENT, THE AUDIENCES WE ATTRACT, AND OUR SUPPORT OF THE BUSINESSES IN OUR COMMUNITY

Income
$10.6 million
Spending
$7.7 million
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
10.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 51%
Employees
262
Volunteers
244
Highest pay
$430,455, 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: 93 out of 100. Higher than 75% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 10.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 7% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 27% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 38% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    83% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 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

    31 of 33 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 (3)
  1. $2.9 million spent. THE ASSOCIATION OWNS AND OPERATES THE SHUBERT THEATRE. OPERATIONS INCLUDE FACILITATION OF RENTAL EVENTS AND MAINTENANCE AND UPKEEP OF THE THEATRE. OVER THE FISCAL YEAR, VARIOUS UPGRADES AND MAINTENANCE WERE PERFORMED ON THE THEATRE TO FULLY UPGRADE THE STAGE LIGHTING SYSTEM TO LED AND A NEWLY CONSTRUCTED CABARET THEATRE WAS CREATED. THERE WERE OVER 20 RENTAL EVENTS IN THE THEATRE AND CABARET DURING THE FISCAL YEAR WHICH INCLUDED: "NEW HAVEN BALLET'S NUTCRACKER", "SACRED HEART ACADEMY'S MUSICAL", A TWO AND A HALF WEEK RENTAL FOR "YALE OPERA'S A RAKE'S PROGRESS", THE TECHNICAL REHEARSALS FOR A MASSIVE PUPPET FEATURED IN BROADWAY'S "STRANGER THINGS AND A VARIETY OF COMMUNITY-BASED MEETINGS AND SEMINARS.
  2. $3.2 million spent. THE ASSOCIATION PRESENTS EXCEPTIONAL PERFORMERS FROM AROUND THE WORLD, EDUCATING AND ENTERTAINING THE PUBLIC THROUGH PRESENTATIONS THAT SPAN DIVERSE GENRES, INCLUDING THEATRE, MUSIC, COMEDY, DANCE, AND CHILDREN'S PROGRAMMING. THE SHUBERT THEATRE, IN FY25 WELCOMED OVER 65,000 PATRONS TO 106 EVENTS. PRESENTATIONS INCLUDED: "DAVID SEDARIS", "TINA: THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL", "MOMIX: ALICE IN WONDERLAND", "FAIRYTALE OF NEW YORK", "FRAGGLE ROCK", "BRIAN REGAN", "JOHN LODGE", AND MORE. THE BROADWAY PLAY "CLUE" SOLD OVER 86% OF AVAILABLE TICKETS.
  3. $354,357 spent. THE ASSOCIATION PROVIDES A VARIETY OF EDUCATIONAL AND ARTS OPPORTUNITIES TO STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES IN THE GREATER NEW HAVEN COMMUNITY. THESE PROGRAMS PROVIDE ACCESS TO THE ARTS TO MANY THAT WOULD OTHERWISE BE UNABLE TO DO SO. THESE PROGRAMS ARE ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH WORKSHOPS, MASTER CLASSES, VISITING ARTIST PROJECTS, AND COMMUNITY TICKET DISTRIBUTIONS. OVER THE FISCAL YEAR, WE SERVED OVER 13,000 STUDENTS. ADDITIONALLY, THE ASSOCIATION IS CONTRACTED BY THE NEW HAVEN BOARD OF EDUCATION TO PROVIDE MANAGEMENT AND TECHNICAL SERVICES FOR COOPERATIVE ARTS AND HUMANITIES HIGH SCHOOL'S ARTS PROGRAMS, RELATED THEATRES AND SUPPORT SPACES, ALONG WITH INTERNSHIP PROGRAMS IN USHERING AND TECHNICAL THEATRE. SEE SCHEDULE OTHIS PARTNERSHIP ALSO PROVIDES ALMOST 100 STUDENTS WITH TECHNICAL THEATRE TRAINING AND ALLOWS THEM TO BECOME A WORKFORCE FOR THE SCHOOL. THE STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO TAKE THESE SKILLS ONTO HIGHER EDUCATION PROGRAMS, APPRENTICESHIPS AND JOB OPPORTUNITIES.

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 November 6, 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 May 2002.

    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 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.