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Rochester City Ballet Inc

EIN 16-1328541 · Rochester, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak38 out of 100GovernanceStrong97 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

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

ROCHESTER CITY BALLET'S MISSION IS TO CREATE INSPIRING, ENTERTAINING, AND EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES THROUGH THE ART OF DANCE WHILE PROVIDING THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF ARTISTIC AND TECHNICAL EXCELLENCE.

Income
$623,343
Spending
$634,371
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
-2 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 48%
Employees
17
Volunteers
25

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

Weak: 38 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    0 of 20

    It owes 112% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 7% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    86% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 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: 97 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • 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 (1)
  1. $548,591 spent. ROCHESTER CITY BALLET'S 2024/2025 SEASON WAS A RESOUNDING SUCCESS AND INCLUDED SEVERAL PERFORMANCES OF THE NUTCRACKER WITH THE ROCHESTER PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA (RPO) AT KODAK THEATRE CELEBRATING A 25 YEAR PARTNERSHIP. NUTCRACKER PERFORMANCES WERE ALSO HELD AT FORT HILL PERFORMING ARTS CENTER IN CANANDAIGUA. THERE WERE OVER 150 CHILDREN FROM THE COMMUNITY WHO PERFORMED IN THE NUTCRACKER INCLUDING CHILDREN WITH A HEARING IMPAIRMENT. ROCHESTER CITY BALLET ALSO PERFORMED AS PART OF THE ROCHESTER FRINGE FESTIVAL, COLLABORATED WITH THE ROCHESTER PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA (RPO) FOR THEIR ORKIDSTRA CONCERT, PARTNERED WITH THE ROCHESTER INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY (RIT) ON THEIR VISIONARY PERFORMANCE AND COLLABORATED WITH THE SOCIETY FOR CHAMBER OF MUSIC IN ROCHESTER TO BRING THE BALLET OF ANASTASIA TO THE ROCHESTER COMMUNITY. TWO FREE SENSORY PERFORMANCES WERE OFFERED TO THE COMMUNITY INCLUDING NUTCRACKER AND ANASTASIA. COMMUNITY OUTREACH INCLUDED DANCE CLASSES TO STUDENTS AT HILLSIDE AS WELL AS VARIOUS MINI PERFORMANCES/MEET AND GREETS AT SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES. AT THE END OF THE 2025 FISCAL YEAR THE COMPANY ESTABLISHED A SCHOOL OF DANCE TO FURTHER ENHANCE THE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES THE COMPANY COULD PROVIDE TO THE COMMUNITY.

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 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 August 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 May 1989.

    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.