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Association for the Colonial Theater

EIN 23-2846336 · Phoenixville, PA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair52 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF THE ASSOCIATION FOR THE COLONIAL THEATRE IS TO SHOWCASE THE TRANSFORMATIVE POWER OF THE ARTS TO ENRICH LIVES, CONNECT PEOPLE, AND ENHANCE THE CULTURAL AND ECONOMIC VITALITY OF PHOENIXVILLE AND SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES.

Income
$2.2 million
Spending
$2.2 million
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
-14.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 51%
Employees
32
Volunteers
125
Highest pay
$113,044, executive director

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

Financial health

Fair: 52 out of 100. Higher than 23% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 45% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 31% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 23 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 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 25

    14 of 14 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 August 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 (1)
  1. $1.8 million spent. THE ASSOCIATION MAINTAINS THE HISTORIC COLONIAL THEATRE. PROGRAMS INCLUDE ART AND INDEPENDENT FILMS, CLASSIC FILMS, PROGRAMS FOR YOUNG AUDIENCES, LIVE CONCERTS, AND COMMUNITY EVENTS. DURING THE CURRENT YEAR:- PRESENTED ARTS AND CULTURE PROGRAMMING TO OVER 60,000 TICKET HOLDERS -- OVER 35,000 INSTANCES OF PATRONS ATTENDED FILM SCREENINGS. -- OVER 20,316 TICKET HOLDERS ATTENDED LIVE CONCERTS AND PROGRAMS. -- OVER 300 COMPLIMENTARY TICKETS WERE REDEEMED, ENABLING THESE PATRONS THE OPPORTUNITY TO ENJOY FREE PROGRAMMING.SEE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON SCHEDULE OTHE COLONIAL THEATRE PROVIDED DISCOUNTED AND FREE RENTALS TO LOCAL NONPROFITS AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS INCLUDING:- FIREBIRD CHILDREN'S THEATRE - ORION COMMUNITIES- CITIZENS ADVOCACY- PHILADELPHIA FOLKSONG SOCIETY- CHESTER COUNTY LQBT EQUALITY ALLIANCE- CRESCENDO PHOENIXVILLE- ALIANZAS DE PHOENIXVILLE- PHOENIXVILLE AREA HIGH SCHOOL- THE MUSIC DEPOT SCHOOL- HUEMANWORKS (MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS EVENT)THE COLONIAL THEATRE PARTNERED WITH THE FOLLOWING NONPROFITS TO PRESENT A FILM RELEVANT TO THAT ORGANIZATION'S MISSION: - HISTORIC TRAPPE- DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CENTER OF CHESTER COUNTY- PHOENIXVILLE JUNETEENTH COMMITTEE- MAYFLY PROJECT- THEATRE ORGAN SOCIETY OF DELAWARE VALLEY

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 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 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 October 13, 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 August 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 November 1996.

    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 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.