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Bushwick Starr

EIN 26-4546315 · Brooklyn, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak25 out of 100GovernanceStrong93 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The Bushwick Starr is an Obie Award-winning nonprofit theater that presents an annual season of new performance works. We are an organization defined by both our artists and our community, and since 2007, we have grown into a thriving theatrical venue, a destination for exciting and engaging performance, and a vital neighborhood arts center serving the diverse artistic needs and impulses of our Bushwick, Brooklyn community. We provide a springboard for emerging professional artists to make career-defining leaps and maintain a sanctuary for established artists to experiment and innovate.

Income
$1.8 million
Spending
$2.5 million
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
-18.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 52%
Employees
189
Volunteers
15
Highest pay
$82,073, artistic director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 25 out of 100. Higher than 2% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 47% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 40% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 41% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 12 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 56% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a 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

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • 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 June 30, 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 (1)
  1. $2.0 million spent. The Bushwick Starr's 24-25 Main Stage Season included the world premieres of: A WOMAN AMONG WOMEN by Julia May Jonas (Oct 15-Nov 17 2024); SLAMDANCE GARAGE by Ian Andrew Askew (Feb 5-March 1 2025) and RHEOLOGY by Shayok Misha Chowdhury (April 15-May 17 2025). All three productions were popular and critical successes, with A WOMAN AMONG WOMEN and RHEOLOGY receiving an extended run. All were presented at the Starr's space at 419 Eldert St. Bushwick, Brooklyn.The Bushwick Starr had its annual Starr Reading Series at 419 Eldert St. This season we selected 6 scripts which underwent developmental rehearsal time and were presented in free public performances for 300+ audience members. Presented works included: ESCAPE FROM THE CITY by Diane Exavier (April 27, 2025); FLORIOGRAPHY: A PLANT DANCE RITUAL by Mahayla Laurence (April 28, 2025); TARGET PRACTICE by Kara Hadden (May 4, 2025); MOTHER OF JUNK by Masha Breeze (May 5, 2025); IM NOT EVEN HALF by Layla Khoshnoudi (May 12, 2025); HOLLOW by DN Bashir (May 18, 2025). We also underwent 3 developmental workshops for current and future Main Stage works including Daniella de Jesus, Shayok Misha Chowdhury and Ian Andrew Askew.The Starr's education programs included Big Green Theater for elementary students with PS075 and PS106K; Creating Performance for local teens with El Puente Bushwick; and Senior Storytelling with Round Table/Ridgewood Bushwick Older Adults Center, and the Diana Jones Senior Center. We also continued our annual Summer Arts Festival with Oye Group on August 18 2024 on Eldert Street outside of the new site of the Bushwick Starr, providing free all-ages arts activities and performances for 500+ of our Bushwick neighbors.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, 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 June 2025.

    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 August 2010.

    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.