Capitol Center for the Arts
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- Raising each dollar of donations cost 76 cents.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
THE MISSION OF THE CAPITOL CENTER FOR THE ARTS IS TO INSPIRE, EDUCATE, AND ENTERTAIN AUDIENCES BY PROVIDING BOTH THE FINEST VENUES FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS AND A WIDE RANGE OF PROFESSIONALLY EXCELLENT AND ARTISTICALLY SIGNIFICANT PRESENTATIONS. IT SHALL ALSO SERVE AS A RESOURCE AND GATHERING PLACE FOR THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE.
- Income
- $6.5 million
- Spending
- $7.1 million
- Spent on programs
- 83%
- Reserves
- 3.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 82%
- Employees
- 96
- Volunteers
- 136
- Highest pay
- $158,506, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 49 out of 100. Higher than 20% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 3.7 months of spending.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 34% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 10% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 9% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 1583% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 76 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 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 2522 of 22 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
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited 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 July 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)
- $5.8 million spent. THEATER PRODUCTION AND SHOWS AT THE 44 SOUTH MAIN STREET CAMPUS, THE CENTER MAINTAINS THE 1304 SEAT CHUBB THEATRE THAT IS EQUIPPED TO PRESENT A WIDE MIX OF HIGH QUALITY EVENTS INCLUDING DANCE PERFORMANCES; CURRENT AND CLASSICAL MUSICAL ARTISTS; FAMILY SHOWS AND EXPERIENCES; LOCAL, NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL ARTISTS AND COMEDIANS. THE CCA ALSO HAS A SECOND PERFORMANCE SPACE, THE BANK OF NH STAGE AT 16 SOUTH MAIN STREET. THIS THEATRE FEATURES A FLEXIBLE SEATING CONFIGURATION, A LARGE VIDEO WALL, A LARGE SETTING PERFORMANCE AREA AND THE CCA BOX OFFICE. THE BANK OF NH STAGE PRESENTS LOCAL AND REGIONAL TOURING MUSIC ARTISTS, INTIMATE THEATRE PRODUCTIONS AND THE MET LIVE AND OTHER BROADCAST PROGRAMMING.
- $152,387 spent. FACILITIES RENTALS THE CENTER'S GOVERNOR'S HALL IS A FULL SERVICE FUNCTION ROOM THAT CAN ACCOMMODATE UP TO 250 GUESTS AND THE ADJACENT KIMBALL HOUSE, A VICTORIAN MANSION FEATURING A STATELY, FORMAL DINING ROOM, LIBRARY, PARLOR AND BOARD ROOM. THE UPSTAIRS CAFE, KNOWN AS THE CANTIN ROOM AT THE BANK OF NH STAGE IS ALSO AVAILABLE FOR COMMUNITY EVENTS. IN A NORMAL YEAR, WE WOULD HAVE 80 COMMUNITY EVENTS AT BOTH VENUES RANGING FROM BUSINESS CONFERENCES AND SEMINARS, CELEBRATORY AND FUNDRAISING PROGRAMS BY OTHER NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS IN THE CAPITAL REGION.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 2025, 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 November 6, 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 July 2025.
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 March 1992.
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 November 4, 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.