Eugene Oneill Memorial Theater Center Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE LAUNCHPAD OF THE AMERICAN THEATER, THE O'NEILL IS THE NATION'S PREEMINENT THEATER DEVELOPMENT CENTER, DEDICATED TO EMPOWERING NEW ARTISTS AND WORKS THAT ADVANCE AMERICAN THEATER.
- Income
- $3.8 million
- Spending
- $4.4 million
- Spent on programs
- 73%
- Reserves
- -6.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 65%
- Employees
- 187
- Volunteers
- 65
- Highest pay
- $183,904, executive di
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
Weak: 44 out of 100. Higher than 14% 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
10 of 20It owes 33% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 14% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 26% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1573% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 15 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 2526 of 30 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 (5)
- $639,621 spent. NATIONAL THEATER INSTITUTE (NTI): THIS PROGRAM IS A SEMESTER OF TRAINING IN DIRECTING, PLAYWRITING, DESIGN, ACTING, MOVEMENT AND VOICE FOR COLLEGE-AGED STUDENTS EACH YEAR. NTI OFFERS OTHER ACCREDITED TRAINING AND EXPERIENTIAL PROGRAMS: THEATER MAKERS, A SUMMER INTENSIVE IN WHICH STUDENTS RECEIVE TRAINING, THE OPPORTUNITY FOR COLLABORATIVE PROJECT WORK, AND INTERACT WITH THE ARTISTS IN RESIDENCE AT THE O'NEILL SUMMER CONFERENCE.
- $139,391 spent. NATIONAL PLAYWRIGHTS CONFERENCE: EACH SUMMER THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES EMERGING AND ESTABLISHED WRITERS THE OPPORTUNITY TO COLLABORATE WITH DIRECTORS, DRAMATURGS, ACTORS AND OTHER PROFESSIONAL STAFF TO SHARE AND LAUNCH THEIR NEW PROJECTS FOR THE STAGE. THE PROJECTS ARE HIGHLY COMPETITIVE AND SELECTED THROUGH AN OPEN SUBMISSION PROGRAM INVOLVING MORE THAN 150 READERS AND A DISTINGUISHED SELECTION COMMITTEE.
- $115,037 spent. NATIONAL MUSIC THEATER CONFERENCE: EACH SUMMER THIS PROGRAM OFFERS A DYNAMIC DEVELOPMENTAL OPPORTUNITY FOR COMPOSERS, LIBRETTISTS, AND LYRICISTS AND THEIR NEWEST PROJECTS. SELECTED PARTICIPANTS ATTEND A MONTH-LONG DEVELOMENTAL RESIDENCY IN WHICH THEY COLLABORATE WITH DIRECTOS, MUSIC DIRECTORS, ACTORS AND OTHER PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT STAFF. THE PROJECTS ARE SELECTED THROUGH AN OPEN SUBMISSIONS PROGRAM INVOLVING A DISTINGUISHED SELECTION COMMITTEE COMPOSED OF MORE THAN 20 REVIEWERS. THE PROGRAM IS KNOWN FOR LAUNCHING MAJOR NEW TALENT TO PROMINENCE.
- $2.3 million spent. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES INCLUDE CRITICS, PUPPETRY, INTERNS, CABARET, NDF, AND RESIDENCIES.
- OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES INCLUDE CRITICS, PUPPETRY, INTERNS, CABARET, NDF, AND RESIDENCIES.
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 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 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 November 1964.
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.