The Circus Barn Incorporated
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
TO PROMOTE THE SKILLS, CULTURE AND TRADITIONS OF THE TRAVELING CIRCUS, AND TO INSPIRE YOUTH TO ENGAGE IN LIFE-CHANGING ADVENTURES IN THE CIRCUS ARTS.
- Income
- $2.8 million
- Spending
- $2.9 million
- Spent on programs
- 73%
- Reserves
- -6.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 74%
- Employees
- 132
- Volunteers
- 1,350
- Highest pay
- $95,473, ex. & artistic director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 44 out of 100. Higher than 14% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 40% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 5% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 2% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1573% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 80 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2511 of 11 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
0 of 10Did not give 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
0 of 10Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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)
- $783,296 spent. SMIRKUS CAMP - CIRCUS SMIRKUS OFFERS A VARIETY OF OVERNIGHT CAMP SESSIONS FOR YOUTH OF ALL AGES AND SKILL LEVELS UNDER OUR BIG TOP TENTS AT OUR SMIRKUS CAMP CAMPUS IN GREENSBORO, VT. SESSIONS THIS YEAR RANGE FROM TWO DAYS TO 5 WEEKS FOR KIDS AGED 5-18. THE SMIRKUS CAMP ROAD SHOW WILL ALSO PRESENT FREE SHOWS AROUND CENTRAL VT AND THE NORTHEAST KINGDOM THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS WITH THE LUNCHBOX PROGRAM, LIBRARIES, AND OTHER YOUTH FOCUSED GROUPS.
- $1.3 million spent. BIG TOP TOUR - EACH SUMMER AN AUDITIONED COMPANY OF "SMIRKUS TROUPERS", AGES 12-18, TRAVELS NEW ENGLAND FOR A TWO-MONTH PERFORMANCE TOUR BACKED BY PROFESSIONAL COACHES, COOKS, MUSICIANS AND CREW. SHOWS TAKE PLACE UNDER A 700-SEAT, ONE-RING, EUROPEAN-STYLE BIG TOP AND HELP RAISE MONEY FOR COMMUNITY PRESENTERS.
- $18,160 spent. SCHOOL RESIDENCIES - CIRCUS SMIRKUS WORKS WITH PROFESSIONAL CIRCUS ARTS EDUCATORS TO CONDUCT ONE- AND TWO-WEEK LONG ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE PROGRAMS IN SCHOOLS AND AFTER SCHOOL SETTINGS THROUGHOUT NEW ENGLAND. TEACHING IS ALIGNED WITH SEL PRINCIPLES WHERE STUDENTS ARE GIVEN A HANDS-ON OPPORTUNITY TO DEVELOP CONCENTRATION, FOCUS, AND PERSISTENCE. AT THE END OF EACH RESIDENCY A SCHOOL OR COMMUNITY WIDE PERFORMANCE SHARES THE PROGRESS OF THE STUDENTS AND SHOWCASES THEIR DEVELOPMENTS IN A FUN AND INCLUSIVE SHOW.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since March 1974.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.