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Denver Lyric Opera Guild

EIN 23-7225165 · Englewood, CO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceWeak33 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE ENCOURAGEMENT AND SUPPORT OF YOUNG SINGERS AND THE CONTINUING EDUCATION OF MEMBERS IN THE APPRECIATION AND KNOWLEDGE OF OPERA.

Income
$543,443
Spending
$184,925
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 81%
Employees
0
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$2,909, vp membership

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

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 88% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 66% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 229% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

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

Governance

Weak: 33 out of 100. Higher than 6% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    0 of 12 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 May 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 (4)
  1. $79,040 spent. ANNUAL OPERA COMPETITION, INCLUDING AWARDS TO COMPETITION FINALISTS. THE ANNUAL COMPETITION FOR COLORADO SINGERS OCCURS EACH SPRING. CONTESTANTS ARE THOSE WHO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION TO THE COMPETITION. FINALISTS ARE DETERMINED BY INDIVIDUAL JUDGES AND PRIZE MONIES ARE AWARDED TO THOSE WHO RECEIVE THE HIGHEST RATINGS FROM THE JUDGES.
  2. $39,800 spent. THE GUILD GIVES GRANTS TO ORGANIZATIONS THAT USE THE MONEY TO PROVIDE SCHOLARHSHIPS TO YOUNG OPERA SINGERS IN COLORADO. COLORADO COLLEGES, UNIVERSITIES AND OPERA PROGRAMS SUPPORTING YOUNG SINGERS COMPLETE GRANT REQUESTS. GRANT REQUESTS ARE REVIEWED BY THE DENVER LYRIC OPERA GUILD FINANCE COMMITTEE. ALL APPLICANTS ARE EXEMPT ORGANIZATIONS. THE AMOUNT AWARDED TO AN INDIVIDUAL IS DICTATED BY THE INSTITUTION RECEIVING THE GRANT.
  3. $29,280 spent. OPERA ON TUESDAYS PROVIDES A LUNCHEON WITH OPERATIC PERFORMANCES BY LOCAL OPERA COMPANIES AND INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION THAT RECEIVE OUR FUNDS.
  4. $7,779 spent. THE GUILD HOSTS A SUMMER PARTY WHERE DINNER IS SERVED AND OPERA SINGERS PROVIDE ENTERTAINMENT BETWEEN MEAL COURSES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 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 May 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 January 1975.

    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.