Santa Barbara Festival Ballet
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.
- It owes more than it owns.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
TO PROVIDE CULTURAL ENRICHMENT TO THE COMMUNITY THROUGH EDUCATION, EVENTS AND PROGRAMMING.
- Income
- $348,730
- Spending
- $368,686
- Spent on programs
- 99%
- Reserves
- -3.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 67%
- Employees
- 6
- Volunteers
- 60
- Highest pay
- $17,262, conservatory 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
Weak: 34 out of 100. Higher than 6% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
0 of 20It owes 952% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 6% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 7% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1599% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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
Fair: 51 out of 100. Higher than 19% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 255 of 5 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave 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
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 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 (3)
- $156,424 spent. SANTA BARBARA FESTIVAL BALLET BRINGS THE GIFT OF DANCE TO THE COMMUNITY THROUGH THE CONSERVATORY. CHILDREN, TEENS AND ADULTS ARE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO STUDY DANCE IN BOTH CREATIVE AND RECREATIONAL CLASSES, WITH BEGINNING THROUGH ADVANCED BALLET CLASSES TAUGHT BY EXPERIENCED AND COMMITTED INSTRUCTORS. STUDENTS LEARN THE ART OF PERFORMANCE AND HAVE THE OPTION OF AUDITIONING TO PERFORM ALONGSIDE PROFESSIONAL DANCERS.
- $191,983 spent. THE ANNUAL PRODUCTION OF NUTCRACKER AT THE ARLINGTON THEATER PROVIDES THE COMMUNITY WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXPERIENCE A CLASSIC BALLET ACCOMPANIED BY FULL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA. THIS HOLIDAY TRADITION IS WELL KNOWN AND WELL ATTENDED BY A MULTIGENERATIONAL, MULTICULTURAL AUDIENCE. AN ADDITIONAL SPRING PERFORMANCE PROVIDES A SECOND OPPORTUNITY TO EXPOSE THE COMMUNITY TO THIS ART FORM.
- $16,930 spent. SBFB OFFERS STUDENTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE BALLET ALLIANCE - AN ORGANIZATION THAT PUTS ON FESTIVALS THAT PROVIDE PRE-PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITY FOR DANCERS. THE FESTIVALS ARE PERFORMING EVENTS WHERE STUDENTS CAN DANCE FOR ADJUDICATORS, AND INTERACT WITH OTHERS TO FURTHER THEIR ART.
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
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 August 2025.
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 February 1975.
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.