Stray Dog Theatre
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
STRAY DOG THEATRE IS COMMITTED TO UNLEASHING THE ART OF THEATRE, EDUCATION, AND COMMUNITY ON SAINT LOUIS AND THE SURROUNDING AREA.
- Income
- $657,548
- Spending
- $634,496
- Spent on programs
- 93%
- Reserves
- 14.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 38%
- Employees
- 12
- Volunteers
- 100
- Highest pay
- $90,000, executive di
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
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 63% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 14.5 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 10% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 4% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 37% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1593% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 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
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 95% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 258 of 8 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
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
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (3)
- $182,379 spent. AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS: STRAY DOG THEATRE OPERATES ARTS-IN-MIND (AIM) AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH LOCAL SCHOOLS. THESE PROGRAMS INTEGRATE THE UNIVERSAL ASPECTS OF THEATRE TO COORDINATE THE ACADEMIC, PHYSICAL, SOCIAL, AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF INNER-CITY STUDENTS EVERY DAY SAINT LOUIS AREA SCHOOLS ARE IN SESSION. STRAY DOG THEATRE AND AIM ARE THE PROUD RECIPIENTS OF A 2007 VANGUARD AWARD FROM THE SAINT LOUIS MENTAL HEALTH BOARD FOR ARTS EDUCATION INNOVATION AND A 2013 SAC AWARD FROM THE MISSOURI SCHOOL AGE COMMUNITY COALITION FOR OUTSTANDING SCHOOL AGE CARE (SAC) PROGRAM OF THE YEAR.
- $405,880 spent. MAINSTAGE THEATRE PRODUCTIONS: STRAY DOG THEATRE MOUNTS MAINSTAGE AND YOUTH PRODUCTIONS AS PART OF ITS ANNUAL THEATRE SEASON. EACH MAINSTAGE PRODUCTION RUNS FOR 10-TO-15 PERFORMANCES OF 150 SEATS EACH AT SDT'S TOWER GROVE ABBEY VENUE. PERFORMANCES INCLUDE COMEDIES, DRAMAS, AND MUSICALS THAT CHALLENGE, EDUCATE, ENTERTAIN, AND INSPIRE. STRAY DOG THEATRE AND ITS ARTISTS ARE CONSISTENTLY HONORED WITH ARTISTIC RECOGNITIONS, INCLUDNG MULTIPLE NOMINATIONS AND AWARDS FROM THE ST. LOUIS THEATER CIRCLE.
- YOUTH ARTS CAMPS: STRAY DOG THEATRE HOSTS ARTS-IN-REACH (AIR) YOUTH ARTS CAMPS. THESE CAMPS OPERATE THROUGH SEVERAL CITY LOCATIONS OVER THE SUMMER AND CULMINATE WITH FINAL DAY PUBLIC PERFORMANCES SO STUDENTS AND FAMILIES CAN DISPLAY THEIR WORK TO THEIR SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOOD. COMMUNITY-FOCUSED PROGRAMS SUCH AS AIR HAVE RESULTED IN SEVERAL STRAY DOG THEATRE RECOGNITIONS, INCLUDING A 2017 RESOLUTION FROM THE 99TH MISSOURI HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND A 2017 PROCLAMATION FROM THE SAINT LOUIS CITY MAYOR, BOTH FOR SERVICE TOWARD COMMUNITY. THE YOUTH ARTS CAMP PROGRAM WAS SUSPENDED IN 2023, HOWEVER, MANAGEMENT HOPES TO RESUME AGAIN IN THE FUTURE.
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 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 November 6, 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 December 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 May 2003.
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 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.