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New York Shakespeare Festival

EIN 13-1844852 · New York, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood89 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

AS THE NATION'S FOREMOST PRODUCER OF SHAKESPEARE AND NEW WORK, THE PUBLIC THEATER IS DEDICATED TO ACHIEVING ARTISTIC EXCELLENCE WHILE DEVELOPING AN AMERICAN THEATER THAT IS ACCESSIBLE AND RELEVANT TO ALL PEOPLE THROUGH PRODUCTIONS OF CHALLENGING NEW PLAYS, MUSICALS AND INNOVATIVE STAGINGS OF THE CLASSICS.

Income
$71.9 million
Spending
$54.5 million
Spent on programs
72%
Reserves
6.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 66%
Employees
884
Volunteers
46
Highest pay
$1.1 million, artistic director

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

Good: 89 out of 100. Higher than 70% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 29% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 24% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 18% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    72% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 14 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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 12% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    46 of 48 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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 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 (4)
  1. $17.3 million spent. ANNUAL SEASONTHE PUBLIC THEATER'S FLAGSHIP SEASON AT 425 LAFAYETTE STREET AND ASTOR PLACE FEATURES A DIVERSE LINEUP OF NEW PLAYS, MUSICALS, SHAKESPEARE, AND OTHER CLASSICS ACROSS FIVE THEATERS. PROGRAMMING ENGAGES AUDIENCES, BOTH ONSTAGE AND OFF, WITH SOME OF TODAY'S MOST IMPORTANT IDEAS AND SOCIAL ISSUES. HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 2024-25 SEASON INCLUDE THREE NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERES: COUNTING AND CRACKING WRITTEN BY S. SHAKTHIDHARAN AND PRESENTED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH NYU SKIRBALL; DEEP HISTORY BY DAVID FINNIGAN; AND GLASS. KILL. WHAT IF IF ONLY. IMP. BY CARYL CHURCHILL. THE SEASON ALSO FEATURED TWO NEW YORK PREMIERES: GOOD BONES BY JAMES IJAMES AND SUMO BY LISA SANAYE DRING, THE LATTER PRESENTED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH MA-YI THEATRE COMPANY. IN ADDITION, GATZ RETURNED WITH ELEVATOR REPAIR SERVICE FOR ITS FINAL NEW YORK CITY PRODUCTION.
  2. $6.0 million spent. FREE SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARKFREE SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK AT THE DELACORTE THEATER EXEMPLIFIES THE PUBLIC'S MISSION TO PROVIDE WORLD-CLASS PRODUCTIONS AT NO COST. SINCE ITS LAUNCH, MORE THAN 6 MILLION PEOPLE HAVE ATTENDED OVER 160 PRODUCTIONS, FEATURING PERFORMANCES BY BOTH RISING AND RENOWNED ARTISTS. TICKETS ARE DISTRIBUTED FREE OF CHARGE ACROSS ALL FIVE BOROUGHS THROUGH A VARIETY OF ACCESS-FOCUSED METHODS. IN 2025, FOLLOWING AN 18-MONTH HIATUS FOR A COMPLETE REVITALIZATION OF THE DELACORTE THEATER, FREE SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK RETURNED TO CENTRAL PARK WITH AN ALL-STAR PRODUCTION OF TWELFTH NIGHT.
  3. $7.6 million spent. JOE'S PUBJOE'S PUB REFLECTS THE DIVERSITY OF ITS COMMUNITY THROUGH A WIDE RANGE OF PERFORMANCES IN MUSIC, FILM, AND DANCE. THE VENUE PRESENTS APPROXIMATELY 700 SHOWS ANNUALLY TO MORE THAN 100,000 PEOPLE AND HAS HOSTED OVER 18,000 PERFORMANCES BY GRAMMY AWARD WINNERS, BROADWAY STARS, AND EMERGING ARTISTS ACROSS NUMEROUS GENRES. THE 24/25 SEASON FEATURED NIGHTLY PERFORMANCES BY BOTH RETURNING AND NEW ARTISTS, INCLUDING PATTI SMITH, CAMERON WINTER, TANYA TAGAQ, JUSTIN VIVIAN BOND, SARAH JONES, MATHIS PICARD, GIANMARCO SORESI, CHARLENE KAYE, YOUNGMI MAYER, AND SANDRA BERNHARD. IN 2024, JOE'S PUB HOSTED ITS FOURTH ANNUAL HABIBI FESTIVAL, A WEEK-LONG CELEBRATION OF MIDDLE EASTERN AND NORTH AFRICAN ARTISTS. VANGUARD RESIDENT ARTIST MARGARET CHO CURATED A QUARTERLY SERIES THAT CULMINATED IN A PERFORMANCE AT THE ANNUAL JOE'S PUB GALA.
  4. $8.7 million spent. CIVIC ARTISTIC PROGRAMSCIVIC ARTISTIC PROGRAMS IS THE PUBLIC'S HUB FOR EXPANDING ACCESS, FOSTERING CIVIC ENGAGEMENT, AND ADVANCING COMMUNITY-FOCUSED ARTISTIC INNOVATION BY BUILDING MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS WITH COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS AND THEIR MEMBERS.THE MOBILE UNITTHE MOBILE UNIT REACHES PAST ECONOMIC AND GEOGRAPHIC BARRIERS TO THE ARTS BY MEETING COMMUNITIES WHERE THEY ARE, STAGING THEATER PRODUCTIONS AND PROGRAMS AT NO COST IN LOCAL NEIGHBORHOOD VENUES AND SPACES ACROSS NYC'S FIVE BOROUGHS. IN 2025, THE MOBILE UNIT PRESENTED A BI-LINGUAL ADAPTATION OF MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING BY JULIAN MESRI AND REBECCA MARTINEZ.PUBLIC WORKSPUBLIC WORKS AIMS TO RESTORE AND BUILD COMMUNITY BY CONNECTING PEOPLE THROUGH THE CREATION OF EXTRAORDINARY WORKS OF ART. IN 2025, PUBLIC WORKS PRESENTED A FREE CONCERT EXPERIENCE OF PERICLES, CONCEIVED BY TROY ANTHONY, INVOLVING HUNDREDS OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND PRESENTED AT THE CATHEDRAL OF ST. JOHN THE DIVINE. ADDITIONALLY, PUBLIC WORKS PROVIDED YEAR-ROUND PROGRAMMING THROUGH WEEKLY CLASSES, MONTHLY GATHERINGS, WORKSHOPS, AND ACCESS TO PERFORMANCES. THESE ACTIVITIES WERE OFFERED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH EIGHT LONG-STANDING ORGANIZATIONS: CHILDREN'S AID (MANHATTAN), THE FORTUNE SOCIETY (QUEENS), DREAMYARD (BRONX), BROWNSVILLE RECREATION CENTER (BROOKLYN), DOMESTIC WORKERS UNITED (STATEN ISLAND AND CITYWIDE), CASITA MARIA CENTER FOR ARTS AND EDUCATION (BRONX), CENTER FOR FAMILY LIFE IN SUNSET PARK (BROOKLYN), AND MILITARY RESILIENCE FOUNDATION (CITYWIDE).NEW WORK DEVELOPMENT & ANCILLARY PROGRAMSTHE PUBLIC'S EARLY CAREER WORKING GROUP SUPPORTS EARLY-CAREER ARTISTS WITH COLLABORATIVE PROGRAMS THAT NURTURE TALENT AND PROVIDE RESOURCES AT CRITICAL MOMENTS IN THEIR DEVELOPMENT.EMERGING WRITERS GROUP (EWG) FOSTERS ARTISTIC AND PROFESSIONAL GROWTH FOR PLAYWRIGHTS AND OTHER GENERATIVE ARTISTS IN THE EARLY STAGES OF THEIR CAREERS. WRITERS ARE SELECTED BIENNIALLY FOR A TWO-YEAR FELLOWSHIP THAT INCLUDES A STIPEND, BI-WEEKLY GROUP SESSIONS, AND SPECIAL SESSIONS WITH ESTABLISHED PLAYWRIGHTS. THE RESIDENCY CULMINATES IN THE SPOTLIGHT SERIES, A FESTIVAL OF NEW WORK BY MEMBERS OF THE EWG COHORT. IN 24/25, THE PUBLIC DEEPENED ITS SUPPORT FOR THE PROGRAM BY:-TAILORING ARTISTIC DEVELOPMENT AND GROUP RETREATS TO THE COHORT'S EVOLVING NEEDS -PRODUCING THE SPOTLIGHT SERIES, FEATURING TEN READINGS OF NEW PLAYS BY THE MEMBERS OF THE EWG.-EXPANDING NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES WITH LEADERS IN FILM AND TELEVISIONTHE 23/25 EWG COHORT INCLUDED KARINA BILLINI, TOMMY ENDTER, JESSE JAE HOON, HUMAIRA IQBAL, CELESTE JENNINGS, NINA KI, GLORIA OLADIPO, VALEN-MARIE SANTOS, AMITA SHARMA, AND AL SIERRA.JOE'S PUB WORKING GROUPJOE'S PUB WORKING GROUP (JPWG) SUPPORTS 4-6 EARLY-CAREER MUSICIANS AND PERFORMANCE ARTISTS ANNUALLY, OFFERING CURATORIAL SUPPORT, REHEARSAL SPACE, AND MANY ADMINISTRATIVE RESOURCES. ARTISTS ARE SELECTED FOR THEIR STRONG NARRATIVE VOICES AND ENCOURAGED TO EXPLORE PERFORMANCE-BASED STORYTELLING AND SONGWRITING. THE 2025-2026 JPWG COHORT INCLUDES DANIEL EMOND, GREGORY RICHARDSON, KATE DOUGLAS, MAFER BANDOLA, AND POOJA REDDY.NEW YORK VOICESNEW YORK VOICES WAS CREATED IN RESPONSE TO THE DECLINE IN ALBUM SALES AND AIMS TO SUPPORT MUSICIANS IN DEVELOPING NEW LIVE PERFORMANCE WORK. THE PROGRAM COMMISSIONS AT LEAST THREE ARTISTS PER YEAR, HELPING THEM DEVELOP A FULL SHOW, ACCESS FUNDING, AND EXPAND TOURING POTENTIAL. ARTISTS ALSO RECEIVE FINISHING FUNDS TO COMPLETE THEIR PROJECTS. THE 2024-2025 COHORT INCLUDED DAN FISHBACK, MALI OBOMSAWIN & JAKE BLOUNT, BARSHA & JO LAMPERT, AND SARAH ELIZABETH CHARLES.ARTISTS-IN-RESIDENCETHE PUBLIC THEATER OFFERS SALARIED RESIDENCIES TO GIVE ARTISTS TIME, SPACE, AND RESOURCES TO DEVELOP THEIR WORK.-WRITER-IN-RESIDENCE: SUZAN-LORI PARKS-ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE: SHAINA TAUB-RESIDENCY: THE APOTHETAE: A TWO-YEAR COLLABORATION WITH ACTOR AND DISABILITY RIGHTS ADVOCATE GREGG MOZGALA TO EXPLORE SHAKESPEARE THROUGH A DISABILITY LENS.-TOW PLAYWRIGHT-IN-RESIDENCE: ELSE WENT-DIRECTING FELLOW: EMMA WENT

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

  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 October 13, 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 August 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 February 1956.

    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 October 21, 2026.

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