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Crandell Theatre Inc

EIN 14-1820989 · Chatham, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood89 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

CRANDELL THEATRE IS A NONPROFIT, MEMBER-SUPPORTED COMMUNITY THEATER THAT AIMS TO PROMOTE AND DEVELOP AN APPRECIATION OF FILM AND FILMMAKING THAT ENRICHES THE SOCIAL, CULTURAL, AND EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE OF THE COMMUNITY, FAMILY LIFE, AND INDIVIDUALS. WE OPERATE AND MAINTAIN A 1926 HISTORIC MOVIE HOUSE ON CHATHAM'S MAIN STREET, WHICH ALSO HAPPENS TO BE THE OLDEST AND LARGEST SINGLE-SCREEN MOVIE THEATER IN COLUMBIA COUNTY. THE THEATER COMPLETED A $4.2 MILLION RENOVATION IN 2025.

Income
$1.2 million
Spending
$681,422
Spent on programs
51%
Reserves
65.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 77%
Employees
20
Volunteers
40
Highest pay
$45,400, executive director

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

Financial health

Good: 89 out of 100. Higher than 76% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 65.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 18% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 42% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 23% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    51% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 11 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    17 of 17 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.

  • 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 December 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 (2)
  1. $261,518 spent. CRANDELL THEATRE OPERATION SERVICES: AS ONE OF THE FEW REMAINING SINGLE SCREEN MOVIE THEATERS IN THE UNITED STATES, THE CRANDELL SCREENS OVER 100 COMMERCIAL, FOREIGN, AND INDEPENDENT FILES ANNUALLY ATTRACTING A DIVERSE AUDIENCE OF FAMILY GROUPS, FILM AFFICIONADOS, AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC. THE THEATRE IS A VENUE FOR COLLABORATIVE COMMUNITY PROGRAMS ENGAGING SPEAKERS AND PANELISTS, FREE FILM SCREENINGS FOR TOWN FESTIVALS, AND CURRICULUM ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS FOR SCHOOLS.
  2. $85,179 spent. FILM COLUMBIA: ORIGINATING IN 2000, FILM COLUMBIA IS ONE OF THE REGION'S CELEBRATED FILM FESTIVALS AND A NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED VENUE FOR INDEPENDENT, FOREIGN, AND COMMERCIAL FILMS. DURING THE TEN-DAY FESTIVAL, OVER FORTY PRE-RELEASED FILMS ARE SCREENED, MANY OF WHICH ARE AWARD-WINNING ENTRIES AT PRESTIGIOUS FILM FESTIVALS IN EUROPE AND THE UNITED STATES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 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 December 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 September 2000.

    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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