American Opera Projects Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It owes more than it owns.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
To develop and present new and innovative works of lyric theater, provide a creative home to emerging and established artists, and engage contemporary communities in a transformative operatic experience.
- Income
- $522,440
- Spending
- $501,368
- Spent on programs
- 81%
- Reserves
- -0.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 62%
- Employees
- 8
- Volunteers
- 5
- Highest pay
- $36,000, interim gen dir
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
Weak: 40 out of 100. Higher than 10% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
0 of 20It owes 111% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 4% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 0% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1581% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 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: 92 out of 100. Higher than 88% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 258 of 9 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
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
Independent check of accounts
12 of 15Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.
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)
- $404,285 spent. Composes & the Voice - AOP's bi-annual training program, ended its 12th cycle in May 2025 with 10 new fellows, 6 composers and 4 librettists. 6 resident singers joined the program as well as 4 music directors, 2 of which were selected as "associate" music directors mentored by longstanding professionals. The program held workshops in September ahead of 2 performances in May 25 of 5 new short operas, under the banner Party of Five, held in AOPs home base of South Oxford Space in Brooklyn, NY, with over 150+ total attendees.One Drop - adapted from the play Brass Ankle by DuBose Heyward (Porgy and Bess), a new opera adapted and composed by Thomas Cabaniss. AOP produced a public workshop with Bare Opera on November 2 at South Oxford Space, after which the director & composer conducted a Q&A with the audience of 50+ attendees.AOP Plays Arvo Prt - Two performances in February 25 & May 25, in partnership with String Orchestra of Brooklyn, GHOSTLIGHT Chorus and Bang On a Cans Long Play. Featuring 1 soloist, a chorus of 8 singers, and full string orchestra. Total attendees of 200+. The Climate Opera Project - Two of the featured operas, Polar and The Watering Hole, were remounted at University of Connecticuts UConn Opera, in association with UConn Puppet Arts, on March 30. State of the Jews - World premiere of a new opera by Composers & the Voice alum Alex Weiser and Ben Kaplan on January 15 25, presented at the Streicker Cultural Center, in partnership with Orchestra of St. Lukes Chamber Ensemble. Featuring 4 principal singers, 8 chorus singers, chamber ensemble of 7 instrumentalists, the work was performed for a total of 500 in-person attendees and 2000+ live-stream attendees. The AOP/NYU Tisch Opera Lab - Training program partnered with the Tisch School of the Arts for aspiring Opera composers and librettists, staged 3 performances in May 2025 with 3 30-minute new operas inspired by the lives and histories of residents at Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx, NY. Featuring 6 singers and pianist. Performed both at the NYU African Grove Theatre and Woodlawn Cemeterys Woolworth Chapel for a total of 400+ attendees. ?
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 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 November 6, 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 June 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 August 1981.
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 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.