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Drama League of New York Inc

EIN 13-6160961 · New York, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceGood75 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE DRAMA LEAGUE IS THE PREEMINENT CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT HOME FOR DIRECTORS, OFFERING ACCESS AND OPPORTUNITY TO THEM, THEIR COLLABORATORS, AND THE AUDIENCES THEY INSPIRE ACROSS THE WORLD.

Income
$2.1 million
Spending
$1.9 million
Spent on programs
77%
Reserves
8.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 45%
Employees
17
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$187,569, artistic director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 93 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 14% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 7% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 12% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    77% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 23 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 75 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    18 of 20 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no 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 May 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 (3)
  1. $941,806 spent. ARTISTIC PROGRAMS:THE DIRECTORS PROJECT IS A NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM OFFERING FELLOWSHIPS AND ARTISTIC RESIDENCIES FOR EARLY AND MID-CAREER THEATER DIRECTORS IN THE UNITED STATES. THROUGH ARTISTIC RESIDENCIES, THE ORGANIZATION OFFERS YEAR-ROUND SUPPORT FOR THEATER ARTISTS TO DEVELOP NEW PLAYS AND MUSICALS FOR FUTURE PRODUCTION.THE ORGANIZATION'S INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGES BRING TALENTED ARTISTS TO NEW AUDIENCES, PAVE THE WAY FOR CROSS-CULTURAL NETWORKING AND PARTNERSHIPS, AND EXPAND THE REACH OF CUTTING-EDGE CREATIVE PRACTICES.
  2. $323,718 spent. ANNUAL AWARDS:PRESENTATION OF THE DISTINGUISHED PERFORMANCE AWARD AND HONORING OUTSTANDING ARTISTS FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO THE CURRENT THEATER SEASON.
  3. $204,562 spent. MEMBERSHIP PERFORMANCES:THE ORGANIZATION OFFERS SERVICES TO MEMBERS INCLUDING ATTENDANCE AT THEATRICAL PERFORMANCES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 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 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 May 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 March 1949.

    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.