Encore Theatre Group
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- 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 BUILD COMMUNITY AND TRANSFORM LIVES BY PROVIDING HIGH QUALITY, INTENSIVE MUSICAL AND NON-MUSICAL THEATRE TRAINING, AS WELL AS THEATRICAL PERFORMANCES OF ALL KINDS IN THE SOUTH BAY AND LOS ANGELES HARBOR AREAS.
- Income
- $724,172
- Spending
- $693,665
- Spent on programs
- 75%
- Reserves
- -7.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 58%
- Employees
- 28
- Volunteers
- 159
- Highest pay
- $65,218, executive 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: 45 out of 100. Higher than 14% 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 631% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 4% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 0% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1575% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 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: 56 out of 100. Higher than 24% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 257 of 7 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
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 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)
- $384,010 spent. PERFORMANCE WORKSHOPS AND PRODUCTIONS: PARTICIPANTS IN EACH OF THESE PERFORMANCE WORKSHOPS/PRODUCTIONS LEARNS ABOUT ALL PARTS OF PERFORMING INCLUDING TAKING DIRECTION, BLOCKING, ACTING, DANCING, SINGING AND CHOREOGRAPHY. PART OF THE LEARNING EXPERIENCE INCLUDES TEAMWORK, PATIENCE, LEADERSHIP, NOTE TAKING AND READING. WE BELIEVE AND SEE THAT WHAT IS LEARNED DURING THESE PRODUCTIONS TRANSLATES DIRECTLY TO SCHOOL WORK AND SOCIAL EXPERIENCES THAT OCCUR IN OTHER PARTS OF A PARTICIPANT'S LIFE.
- $134,770 spent. SUMMER CAMPS: DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS, ENCORE ORGANIZES SEVERAL CAMPS. THEY INCLUDE 2.5, 3 WEEK AND 1 WEEK MUSICAL THEATER CAMPS AND AN OCCASSIONAL SHAKESPEARE CAMP. ENCORE PROVIDES A WIDE RANGE OF OPPORTUNITIES INCLUDING ACTING, SINGING, DANCING AND SWORDPLAY. THE CAMPS ALLOW STUDENTS TO BLOSSSOM AT THEIR OWN PACE. STUDENTS PUT INTO PRACTICE SKILLS LEARNED DURING REHEARSALS AND ARE TAUGHT THEATER STYLE GAMES THAT ARE DESIGNED TO ENHANCE LISTENING AND RESPONSE SKILLS. OUR PARTICIPANTS GAIN PERSONAL CONFIDENCE AND HAVE A SENSE OF ACCOMPLISHMENT BEING IN A CAST OF NEW FRIENDS. CAMP ALSO PROVIDES A SPACE FOR OUR LEADERSHIP PROGRAM PROVIDING VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITES FOR JUNIOR COUNSELORS (AGES 12-17) TO WORK AT THE CAMP UNDER THE MENTORSHIP OF SEASONED EMPLOYEES.
- $3,065 spent. PERFORMING ARTS CLASSES: ENCORE OFFERS VARIOUS CLASSES TO EDUCATE CHILDREN IN ALL ASPECT OF PERFORMING ARTS. CLASSES OFFERED INCLUDES: ACTING, DANCING, AUDITION PREPARATION, STAGE COMBAT ETC.
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 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 August 2025.
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 June 2009.
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.