Billie Holiday Theatre Incorporated
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The goal of the Billie Holiday Theatre is to provide audiences with complete and authentic portrayals of the experiences of people of African descent across the world. To provide artists of African descent pure and unapologetic artistic freedom. We do this by producing and presenting all forms of art, and by challenging unjust systems that would prevent artists, institutions, and communities full access to world-class arts, creative spaces, and resources.
- Income
- $1.2 million
- Spending
- $2.9 million
- Spent on programs
- 88%
- Reserves
- 5.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 47%
- Employees
- 20
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
Fair: 56 out of 100. Higher than 29% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 5.4 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 20% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 155% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 13% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1588% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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 65% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2510 of 10 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.
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 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)
- $2.6 million spent. Artistic Programming & Education:BHT instituted two new programs: Billie & Beyond and Black Narrative. Billie & Beyond is a four part music series spotlighting emerging and mid-professional female singers and musicians. This dynamic music series has become a community favorite. Black Narrative is a biannual theatre series in which BHT partners with local collectives and organizations to produce and curate staged readings, multiperformance art, and conversations. This series allows BHT to remain as a creative voice in theater. We continued our annual EVIDENCE performance, SummerFest programming, and so much more.In the visual arts world, BHT continued with its RESISTANCE exhibition series and received high praise for its new exhibition series, which began with We Love You, Black Woman.In FY25, the Youth Arts Academy (YAA) engaged approximately 100 students from New York City public schools through a diverse range of arts classes, including Drama, Drumming, Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary Modern, Break Dance, Hip Hop Dance, and West African Dance (Guinea and Sabar styles). For young dancers aged 3 to 5, we offered a Pre-Ballet class that introduced foundational ballet techniques while nurturing creativity and a passion for movement. For youth ages 12 to 18, we continued our highly regarded, audition-based Pre-Professional Training Program (PPTP), which features rigorous technique classes designed to prepare students for college-level and professional auditions.
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
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.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Worth knowing.
Status was revoked on November 15, 2010 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on May 15, 2012.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since October 2012.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.