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Pittsburgh Opera Theater Inc

EIN 25-1342994 · Pittsburgh, PA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair63 out of 100GovernanceGood80 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

PITTSBURGH FESTIVAL OPERA PRESENTS INNOVATIVE OPERA FOR IMAGINATIVE AUDIENCES. PITTSBURGH FESTIVAL OPERA IS PITTSBURGH'S MODERN MUSIC DRAMA COMPANY AND, AS SUCH, FOCUSES ON CREATING NEW WORKS, ON REINTERPRETING OLDER WORKS IN NEW WAYS, ON BUILDING DIVERSITY IN PROGRAMMING AND CASTING, ON SUPPORTING EMERGING TALENT, AND ON BROADENING AUDIENCES THROUGH OUTREACH AND EDUCATION.

Income
$1.7 million
Spending
$761,433
Spent on programs
59%
Reserves
5.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 94%
Employees
2
Volunteers
15
Highest pay
$127,159, general manager and artist

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

Fair: 63 out of 100. Higher than 36% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 63% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 54% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 1752% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    59% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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 25

    9 of 9 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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 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 (1)
  1. $447,644 spent. THE PITTSBURGH FESTIVAL OPERA'S PROGRAM IS TO OFFER ENTERTAINING PROGRAMMING IN AN INNOVATIVE WAY THAT BRINGS TOGETHER BOTH NEW AND OLD WORKS FOR THE WIDEST POSSIBLE AUDIENCES. YOUTH, TEACHERS, AND FAMILIES HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN QUALITY ARTS EDUCATION PROGRAMS IN WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA THROUGH THE PASSION AND DEDICATION OF THE ORGANIZATION'S FOUNDER, MRS. MILDRED MILLER POSVAR. THE ORGANIZATION CONTINUES THE MISSION OF EQUALITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSIVITY WITH FREE PROGRAMMING AND CONTENT TO SUPPORT INDIVIDUALS IN THEIR ACADEMIC SUCCESS THROUGH MUSIC AND ART. THE ORGANIZATION EDUCATION PROGRAMS INCLUDE OPERA TOTS!, OPERA EXPERTS, AND OPERA THROUGH THE GENERATIONS.

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

  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 November 6, 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 December 2024.

    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 October 1980.

    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 November 4, 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.