Esther Productions Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Esther Productions, Inc is a successful nonprofit, 501 c (3) tax-exempt educational, social, and cultural corporation based in the District of Columbia. Since its inception in 2004, it has served thousands of individuals and partnered with dozens of organizations and businesses. Deploying the arts-visual, performing, and literary-as its chief vehicles, Esther Productions, Inc. has helped enhance the academic achievement of children and youth from, underserved or under-resourced communities; sought to empower girls and women, particularly those traumatized by parental loss or abandonment; and worked to strengthen families, providing them the personal and communal skills sufficient to navigate socio-economic challenges while celebrating their histories and cultures. The organization's board of directors and staff have made themselves available to other groups interested in addressing the issue of self-actualization, personal, family and community development.
- Income
- $53,419
- Spending
- $52,866
- Reserves
- 3.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 60 out of 100. Higher than 34% of charities in its peer group (human services, under $250k).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 3.6 months of spending.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 32% of what it owns.
Living within its means
12 of 15Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 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)
- In 2023, Esther Productions Inc. presented a variety of programs for women and girls under Arts Wizardry and Fatherless Daughter Empowerment Project. During the combination of these programs and participation of Esther Productions Inc. staff and board at community/partner events, the organization was able to serve as many as 500 people in person or online.
- The Arts Wizardry included Kaleidoscope: A Writing Collective for Women of Color who are 18 and older; this is a monthly gathering that occurs online where participants receive instruction in creative writing including poetry and short fiction. They also receive feedback on new work presented to the group. The year long series Me, Myself and Our Story: A Creative Writing Institute was held for girls ages 14 -18 during which they received instruction around poetry writing, memoir and the personal essay. In 2023, Esther Productions opened a new division of its work around arts creation. It received funds to plan a historic symposium that focused on African American Children's Literature and DC Black writers. That event was subsequently held in March 2024 with a registration of more than 250 individuals from around the country.
- The Me, Myself and Our Story creative writing series helped strengthen the submissions for Discovering Me...Personal Essay Scholarship Award, which is a division of the Fatherless Daughter Empowerment Project; girls 14-18 are invited to tell their stories about growing up without their fathers and how they have or are meeting that challenge, including the impact on their personal resilience. In 2023, winners in that scholarship contest received cash awards totaling nearly $3,000 during a special youth summit that includes workshops around self-care and self-actualization. Also, as part of the Empowerment Project, Esther Productions sponsored its National Reconciliation Week, designed to help encourage family restoration.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 October 13, 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 December 2024.
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 2005.
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 October 21, 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.