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Chester Theatre Group of the Black River Playhouse

EIN 22-6080486 · Chester, NJ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair69 out of 100GovernanceNot ratedThe short tax form does not cover thisImpact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

to produce and present live theatrical experiences for the community by the community

Income
$54,009
Spending
$70,823
Reserves
8 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 87%

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending July 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 69 out of 100. Higher than 39% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 31% of income.

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending July 31, 2025, 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 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 (6)
  1. $3,598 spent. DRACULA, A FEMINIST REVENGE FANTASY, REALLY.- a play by Kate Hamill presented Oct-Nov '24, 8 performances, 517 attendees, cast of 9, production team of 15, admission receipts covered all expenses
  2. $2,899 spent. CASA VALENTINA,a play by Harvey Fierstein, presented Apr-May'25, 8 performances, 363 attendees, cast of 9, production team of 13, admission receipts covered all expenses
  3. $2,839 spent. CRY IT OUT- a play by Molly Smith Metzler, presented Sep'24, 8 performances, 312 attendees, cast of 4, production team of 9, admission receipts covered all expenses
  4. $2,090 spent. THE PLOT, a play by Will Eno, presented Feb '25, 8 performances, 484 attendees, 5 performers, production team of 13, admission receipts covered all expenses
  5. $1,911 spent. PERICLES, a play by William Shakespeare, presented Jun-Jul '25, 8 performances, 362 attendees, 12 performers, production team of 12, admission receipts covered all expenses
  6. $619 spent. NATURAL SHOCKS, a play by Lauren Gunderson, presented Nov. '24, 4 performances, 120 attendees, 1 performer, production team of 7, admission receipts covered all expenses

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending July 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 July 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 September 1968.

    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.