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Circuit Playhouse Inc

EIN 23-7185772 · Memphis, TN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood70 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PRODUCE A CHALLENGING AND DIVERSE REPERTOIRE OF THEATRICAL WORK FOR THE MEMPHIS COMMUNITY, TO PROVIDE A NURTURING ARTISTIC HOME WHERE ARTISTS CAN PRACTICE THEIR CRAFT, SHARE THEIR TALENT, AND TO MAKE ALL PRODUCTIONS AVAILABLE THROUGH ACCESS, OUTREACH, AND EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES.

Income
$2.7 million
Spending
$3.9 million
Spent on programs
75%
Reserves
17.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 49%
Employees
41
Volunteers
50
Highest pay
$102,445, executive producer

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: 70 out of 100. Higher than 47% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 17.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 46% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 28% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    75% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 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: 95 out of 100. Higher than 62% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    28 of 28 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 (3)
  1. $2.8 million spent. THEATRICAL PERFORMANCES: CIRCUIT PLAYHOUSE, INC'S PRIMARY PURPOSE IS TO PROVIDE PERMANENT PROFESSIONAL THEATRE FOR THE ENRICHMENT OF THE MEMPHIS COMMUNITY. CIRCUIT UNDERTAKES 14 PRODUCTIONS EACH SEASON. THROUGH OUR OUTREACH PROGRAMS, WE STRIVE TO MAKE EACH PRODUCTION AVAILABLE TO ALL WHO WISH TO ATTEND, REGARDLESS OF THEIR FINANCIAL MEANS.
  2. $124,886 spent. UNIFIED PROFESSIONAL THEATRE AUDITIONS ("UPTA") : THESE COMBINED AUDITIONS, HELD ANNUALLY IN FEBRUARY, PROVIDE ACTORS AND PRODUCTION PERSONNEL THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE SEEN BY REPRESENTATIVES OF QUALITY PROFESSIONAL THEATRE COMPANIES FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
  3. $10,236 spent. THEATRE FOR YOUTH: THE SUMMER YOUTH CONSERVATORY OFFERS INSTRUCTION FOR ANY STUDENT INTERESTED IN THEATRE, THROUGH CLASSES TAUGHT BY PROFESSIONAL ARTISTS. THE THEATRE SCHOOL PROVIDES CLASSES IN PERFORMANCE FOR CHILDREN AS WELL AS ADULTS, WHICH GIVES STUDENTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPAND THEIR PERFORMANCE SKILLS IN ACTING, MUSIC, AND DANCE. Q&A, QUEER YOUTH THEATRE, PROVIDES YOUTH AGES 14-21 A THEATRICAL OUTLET TO CREATE AWARENESS WITHIN MEMPHIS FOR THE LGBTQIA AND STRAIGHT ALLIED YOUTH.

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 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 June 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 April 1972.

    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.