Prime Stage
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
OUR MISSION IS TO BRING GREAT LITERATURE AND HISTORY TO LIFE THROUGH THE TRANSFORMATIVE PROCESS OF LIVE THEATRE TO ENTERTAIN, INFORM, ENRICH, AND INSPIRE AUDIENCES WITH ENGAGING PROGRAMS THAT DELIVER LONG-LASTING BENEFITS TO THEATREGOERS, FAMILIES, STUDENTS, AND EDUCATORS OF OUR REGION.
- Income
- $288,361
- Spending
- $299,437
- Spent on programs
- 91%
- Reserves
- -0.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 69%
- Employees
- 5
- Volunteers
- 10
- Highest pay
- $6,300, general manager
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 35 out of 100. Higher than 7% 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.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 4% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 21% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1591% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 77 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2513 of 13 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a 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
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
Independent check of accounts
12 of 15Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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)
- $273,525 spent. PRIME STAGE PRODUCES THREE MAINSTAGE PRODUCTIONS FOR THEATRE-GOERS, FAMILIES, STUDENTS, AN EDUCATORS.OUR JANUARY SPROUTS PROMOTES FOR BLACK HISTORY MONTH. THIS YEAR IT WAS ROSA PARKS AND THE MONTGOMERY BUS BOYCOTT. THIS HAS INCREASED OUR ATTENDANCE WITH THE AFRICAN AMERICAN ATTENDANCE.OUR 4TH ANNUAL HIGH SCHOOL DRAMA AWARDS WERE PRESENTED IN JANUARY AT THE NEW HAZLETT CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS. THE AWARDS ARE DESIGNED TO REWARD EXCELLENCE IN HIGH-SCHOOL DRAMA FOR NON-MUSICAL PRODUCTIONS THAT ARE STUDENT-RUN. WE HAD 9 SCHOOLS PARTICIPATE IN THE AWARD CEREMONY.THE LITERACY IN ACTION CLASSROOM SUPPORT SYSTEM CAN BE USED WITH TEACHERS IN-PERSON OR VIRTUALLY. THE UNITS ARE THEATRE-BASED ACTIVITIES USING THEATRE TECHNIQUES TO HELP STRUGGLING READERS. THIS IS PRESENTED AT NO CHARGE FOR TITLE-ONE SCHOOLS IN PITTSBURGH. THIS ALSO PROVIDES STUDENTS AN OPPORTUNITY TO SEE LIVE THEATER WITH OUR STUDENT MATINEE FIELD TRIPS.WE OFFER A SPECIAL PERFORMANCE PER PRODUCTION WITH AUDIO DESCRIPTION FOR THE BLIND OR VISUALLY IMPAIRED, SIGNED INTERPRETED AND REAL-TIME LIVE CAPTIONING FOR THE DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING, AND SENSORY INCLUSIVE FOR ANYONE WITH SENSORY ISSUES.TEACHER RESOURCE GUIDES ARE AVAILABLE ON OUR WEBSITE FOR ALL OF OUR PRODUCTIONS AND CAN BE FOUND UNDER THE EDUCATION TAB.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since July 1996.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.