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Pittsburgh Public Theater Corporation

EIN 23-7398683 · Pittsburgh, PA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair60 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF PITTSBURGH PUBLIC THEATER IS TO PROVIDE ARTISTICALLY DIVERSE THEATRICAL EXPERIENCES OF THE HIGHEST QUALITY. PITTSBURGH PUBLIC THEATER ALSO STRIVES TO SERVE, CHALLENGE, STIMULATE, AND (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O)

Income
$6.2 million
Spending
$7.9 million
Spent on programs
76%
Reserves
1.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 53%
Employees
302
Volunteers
330
Highest pay
$179,287, artistic dir

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 60 out of 100. Higher than 32% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 13% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 28% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    76% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 14 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2024, 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

    29 of 29 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, 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 (5)
  1. $3.4 million spent. PRODUCTIONS - INCLUDING A SERIES OF ARTISTICALLY DIVERSE PLAYS, PRODUCTIONS, READINGS, AND ARTISTIC COSTS. THE PUBLIC PRESENTED SIX PRODUCTIONS RUNNING FOR A TOTAL OF 159 PERFORMANCES IN ITS 2023-2024 SEASON: BILLY STRAYHORN: SOMETHING TO LIVE FOR, A TELL-TALE HEART, A CHRISTMAS STORY: THE PLAY, DRAGON LADY, THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST, AND THE COFFIN MAKER. TOTAL ATTENDANCE WAS 34,932.
  2. $384,744 spent. EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMS INTENDED FOR A WIDE VARIETY OF PEOPLE WITH THE GOAL OF EXPANDING AND DIVERSIFYING AUDIENCES WHILE ENRICHING THE COMMUNITY. DURING THE FISCAL YEAR 3,243 PEOPLE PARTICIPATED IN THESE PROGRAMS INCLUDING 2,083 EDUCATORS, TEACHING ARTISTS, AND STUDENTS.
  3. $982,051 spent. AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT, TICKET SERVICES, DIGITAL THEATER EXPERIENCE, HOLIDAY EVENTS, AND PUBLIC RELATIONS.
  4. $1.3 million spent. OTHER PROGRAMS
  5. LINE 1 ORGANIZATION'S MISSION (CONTINUED) ENTERTAIN WHILE OPERATING IN A FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE MANNER. THE PITTSBURGH PUBLIC THEATER SHARES ITS RESOURCES WITH THE COMMUNITY THROUGH EDUCATION AND OUTREACH INITIATIVES INTENDED FOR A WIDE RANGE OF PEOPLE WITH THE GOAL OF EXPANDING AND DIVERSIFYING THE AUDIENCE WHILE ENRICHING THE COMMUNITY.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2024, 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 August 2024.

    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 1974.

    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.