Poison Apple Productions
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Poison Apple Production's mission is to promote increased participation and understanding of live theater by providing affordable performing arts education and enrichment experiences to youth and young adults as well as affordable access to live theatre entertainment for members of the community, including children, families, senior citizens and disabled persons. We are strongly committed to achieving these aims in a positive, supportive, respectful and safe environment that encourages learning, creativity and artistic self-expression for all participants regardless of age, ability, gender, ethnic or social background.
- Income
- $776,886
- Spending
- $751,579
- Spent on programs
- 91%
- Reserves
- 1.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 93%
- Employees
- 18
- Volunteers
- 250
- Highest pay
- $4,670, president
Source: Form 990 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 28% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 1.2 months of spending.
Debt
5 of 20It owes 66% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 3% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 26% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1591% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Fair: 69 out of 100. Higher than 45% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2512 of 12 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 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 (1)
- $687,067 spent. At Poison Apple Productions we serve youth between the ages of 5-18. During the year 2024, we had 774 different students participate in Apple Seeds (ages 5-14), Summer Camps, and our MainStage program. Every participant in Apple Seeds and Summer Camp participated in the program and performed. We offered 3 Sessions of Apple Seeds with 10 classes each at three different levels. We had a total of 433 participants in our Seeds program in 2024. Each class had a performance that was age appropriate. We offered 9 Summer Camps, which were 3 hours a day, 5 days a week for 3 weeks. The Summer Camps had 142 participants. We also had short term classes where young actors worked on dance, music, and acting skills. The MainStage program had one show with 8 performances in 2024. There were 41 participants. These actors performed to over 1900 audience members. Poison Apple Productions offers need based scholarships. There were 20 Scholarships given throughout 2024.
Source: Form 990 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? Worth knowing.
Status was revoked on May 15, 2015 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on May 15, 2015.
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 2016.
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.