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Afrikan Poetry Theather Inc

EIN 11-2515828 · Jamaica, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood82 out of 100GovernanceGood76 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Only 3% of its spending went to programs.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

The Afrikan Poetry Theatres APT mission is to preserve and perpetuate Art Culture and the Traditions of the African Diaspora through creative programming Including but not limited to; theatre film music dance spoken word,Youth S.T.E.A.M,3D Printed Art and more. Our goal is to promote cross-cultural awareness understanding and socialization through traditional and digital art disciplines. Founded as performance theatre in 1976 and incorporated as a 501c3 since 1980 we continue to expand in order to offer a diverse roster of cultural activities to the the underserved communities of South East Jamaica and Far Rockaway Queens NY. Our Goal is to influence community empowerment through cultural education. Our initiative is about economics by way of education It is important that we not only celebrate art and find creative outlets to express the realities of our communities but to educate the community about how to monetize creativity. Dont just act learn the busi

Income
$131,100
Spending
$108,662
Spent on programs
3%
Reserves
14.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 81%
Employees
0
Volunteers
11
Highest pay
$25,000, executive director

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

Good: 82 out of 100. Higher than 63% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 14.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 17% of income.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    3% 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

Good: 76 out of 100. Higher than 70% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    0 of 5 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.

  • 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. $3,200 spent. Educated Filmmakers is a multi-cultural educational program focused on filmmaking offering a 6-week crash course comprising 32 program hours. The course includes both two-hour and three-hour sessions twice a week where students collaborate to produce a short film exploring immigration or its social impact. Participants engage in learning various aspects of filmmaking such as genres production directing and character development. They work together as a Film Crew gaining hands-on experience in field and post-production and understanding different crew roles like director producer writer camera operator sound technician and editor. The culminating project is showcased at A.P.T.s Black History Month Film Festival. Additionally the program offers Acting Workshops for ages 12 and up running from April to June with 4-hour weekly sessions over 8 weeks. Students receive training in on-screen presence voice projection theatrical and screen acting techniques and participate in mock auditions. The workshop concludes with students showcasing their skills by acting in a short film produced by fellow program participants.
  2. NYC Play A.P.T. Activity Tent In partnership with Cultural Collaborative Jamaica Jamaica Home Depot & The National Guard as part of the Jamaica Arts & Music festival JAMS a full city street is closed off and designated a child zone NYC Play. The Afrikan Poetry Theatre host an activity tent featuring: Live Tik Tok Dance Challenges Game Station Inc.VR Gamming Stations Drone Camera Exhibitions Urban Galore Tech Chess Tables Life Sized Checkers Chess & Connect 4 Basketball Hoops and more When: Aug 6th 2022 11am-5pm. Where: Jamaica Ave. 168th St.
  3. A full educational & virtual hands on experience in make up being a makeup artist and working in the industry as a professional. This Class focuses on Make Up for People of Color with an emphasis in photo & film. Students Learn: Skin Preparation Face Contouring Natural & Glam Makeup Photo & Film Make Up Lash Application Eye Brow Shaping & more This class is a 5 week 10 day course that consist of a minimum of 20 hours of virtual instruction.

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 January 1980.

    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.