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The Shakespeare Center of Los Angeles Inc

EIN 13-3167013 · Los Angeles, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak20 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO ENCHANT, ENRICH, AND BUILD COMMUNITY THROUGH PROFESSIONAL THEATRICAL TRADITIONS THAT ARE INTERPRETIVELY, GEOGRAPHICALLY, AND ECONOMICALLY ACCESSIBLE TO ALL.

Income
$1.4 million
Spending
$1.8 million
Spent on programs
63%
Reserves
1.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 44%
Employees
109
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$110,514, dod/interim managing direc

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 20 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 92% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 32% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 74% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    63% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 26 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 90 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 14 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 September 30, 2024, 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. $606,037 spent. SCLA'S MAIN STAGE ARE PROFESSIONAL, FULLY-STAGED INDOOR AND OUTDOOR PRODUCTIONS AND STAGED READINGS. MAIN STAGE PROGRAMMING INCORPORATES VETERANS IN ART, WHICH HIRED MILITARY VETERANS TO FILL TECHNICAL THEATER POSITIONS TO SUPPORT THE PRESENTATION OF MAIN STAGE PRODUCTIONS AND STAGED READINGS. THESE JOBS MAY INCLUDE DESIGN, PERFORMANCE, PRODUCTIONS CREWS, MARKETING, AND FRONT OF HOUSE. VETERANS IN ART ALSO PROVIDES MILITARY VETERANS FREE TICKETS TO SCLA'S PERFORMANCES. OTHER VETERANS PROGRAMMING INCLUDES PERFORMANCE AND WORKSHOPS. ADDITIONAL PROGRAM ACTIVITY INCLUDES ACTIVE COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT.
  2. $392,417 spent. SHAKESPEARE IN AMERICAN CLASSROMS OFFERS AN URGENT AND INNOVATIVE TEACHER TRAINING SEMINARS THAT FEATURE PROPRIETARY CURRICULUM MATERIALS DESIGNED TO ILLUMINATE SHAKESPEARE'S TEXTS THROUGH SOCIAL JUSTICE PRINCIPLES.
  3. $134,858 spent. YOUTH AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS INCLUDE WILL POWER TO YOUTH, WILL POWER TO SCHOOLS, AND WRITE ON!. WILL POWER TO YOUTH AND WRITE ON! HIRE TEENS AND YOUNG ADULTS TO CREATE ADAPTATIONS OF SHAKESPEARE THAT REFLECT THEIR THOUGHTS, FEELINGS, AND PERSPECTIVES ON SHAKESPEARE'S THEMES. WILL POWER TO SCHOOLS PARTNERS WITH CLASSROOM TEACHERS TO PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, LIVE PERFORMANCES, AND IN-CLASSROOM WORKSHOPS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending September 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since December 1987.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.