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Soo Theatre Project

EIN 30-0047108 · Sault S Marie, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceWeak48 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

OUR MISSION IS TO FOSTER THE ENJOYMENT, UNDERSTANDING, AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE ARTS IN THE EASTERN UPPER PENINSULA THROUGH DIVERSE AND ENGAGING EXPERIENCES. OUR VISION IS TO BE THE PREMIER HOME FOR DIVERSE ARTS PROGRAMMING AND EDUCATION, COLLABORATING WITH ARTISTS, ORGANIZATIONS, SCHOOLS, AND THE COMMUNITY TO ENCOURAGE THE CREATION, APPRECIATION, PERFORMANCE, AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE ARTS. WE SEEK TO NURTURE A VIBRANT ARTS COMMUNITY, FOSTER ARTISTIC EXCELLENCE, AND BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER FOR POWERFUL SHARED EXPERIENCES THAT INSPIRE AND CREATE AN EXCHANGE OF IDEAS.

Income
$663,906
Spending
$457,811
Spent on programs
78%
Reserves
7.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 53%
Employees
20
Volunteers
73

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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 78% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 7.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 31% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 18% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    78% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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

Weak: 48 out of 100. Higher than 14% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 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 (1)
  1. $356,647 spent. MUSIC AND THEATRE EDUCATION AND PERFORMANCE. MUSIC EDUCATION INCLUDES LESSONS AND CLASSES IN VOICE, PIANO, STRINGS, BRASS, AND WOODWIND INSTRUMENTS FOR STUDENTS FROM AGE 6 MONTHS TO SENIORS. ORCHESTRAS INCLUDE YOUTH TO ADULTS LEARNING AND PERFORMANCE GROUPS AT VARIOUS LEVELS OF COMPETENCE, FROM BEGINNING TO ADVANCED. PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES INCLUDE BROADWAY, OPERA, AND PLAYS FOR ALL AGES, AS WELL AS SUMMER CAMPS FOR YOUTH. AUDIENCES COME FROM THE LOCAL AREA AND FROM LONGER DISTANCES.

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

  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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since January 2004.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 October 7, 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.