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Paper Mill Playhouse

EIN 22-1550515 · Millburn, NJ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

MISSION PAPER MILL PLAYHOUSE ENTERTAINS, INSPIRES, AND ENRICHES LIVES. AS THE NATION'S PREMIER MUSICAL THEATER, WE FOSTER A CREATIVE ENVIRONMENT TO ADVANCE THE ART FORM, EDUCATE STUDENTS, DEVELOP FUTURE THEATER LOVERS, NURTURE INCLUSION, AND PROVIDE ACCESS FOR ALL. VISION THE VISION OF PAPER MILL PLAYHOUSE IS TO BE INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED AS THE LEADING MUSICAL THEATER WHERE NEW AND REIMAGINED MUSICALS AND INNOVATIVE EDUCATION PROGRAMS ARE CULTIVATED. PAPER MILL PLAYHOUSE IS THE PLACE WHERE ARTISTS, THEATER LOVERS, AND STUDENTS COME TOGETHER TO REALIZE THEIR CREATIVITY AND TO BE INSPIRED BY THE THEATER'S UNMATCHED PASSION AND COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE.

Income
$31.4 million
Spending
$28.2 million
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
3.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 65%
Employees
881
Volunteers
80
Highest pay
$384,449, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 36% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 10% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 10% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    81% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 25 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 34% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    32 of 32 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 June 30, 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. $21.1 million spent. Paper Mill Playhouse has been a cherished New Jersey arts institution for 86 years, with a national reputation that continues to grow. As a producing theater, Paper Mill's collaboration with other regional theaters and leading independent producers brings audiences the best in musical theater, from celebrated revivals to groundbreaking new works. Education and outreach programs nurture young people's creativity and empathy. Paper Mill brings decades of leadership in cultural access and is at the forefront of autism-friendly theater. Paper Mill Playhouse received the 2016 Regional Theatre Tony Award in recognition of its contribution to the national field. During the FY25 season, Paper Mill produced new productions of "Jersey Boys", "White ChristmasDisney's "The Little Mermaid" which all played to near capacity audiences. The season also included the popular new musical "Mystic Pizza", and the world premiere of "Take the Lead". Several new marketing and program initiatives introduced new, younger and more diverse audiences to Paper Mill throughout the season. During this season, the Paper Mill production of The Great Gatsby continued to run on Broadway and opened in London's West End. In October 2024, Paper Mill launched the public phase of the Next Act Campaign, a $43.7 Million capital campaign to renovate Paper Mill's facilities and grounds. The campaign will fund a multi-phased renovation project that will include a more welcoming lobby and front-of-house experience for patrons, an expansion of our Carriage House restaurant, and necessary back-of-house and campus-wide improvements. Construction on the back-of-house phase began in the spring of 2024. Paper Mill is still recovering from the effects of the Covid 19 pandemic. The company has experienced a significant increase in expenses, and a decline in the subscriber audience base and associated revenues, since re-opening in 2021.
  2. $1.8 million spent. Paper Mill's Education, Outreach and Access programs engage young people in the joy of live theater through the Adopt-A-School Project, Paper Mill Theater School, Rising Star Awards, Summer Musical Theater Conservatory and its New Voices concerts, and Theater for Young Audiences. Paper Mill has decades of leadership in breaking barriers to the arts, including accessibility for individuals with disabilities and cultural partnerships with New Jersey's schools and community-based organizations. As the first theater in the country to present a comprehensive autism-friendly performance, Paper Mill has expanded its offerings of welcoming and inclusive shows, theater classes and outreach for children with autism and developmental disabilities, their families and friends.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 November 6, 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 June 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 March 1936.

    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 November 4, 2026.

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