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Portland Playhouse

EIN 30-0507198 · Portland, OR

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair64 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

PORTLAND PLAYHOUSE'S MISSION IS TO CELEBRATE THE COMPLEXITY OF THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE. EACH SEASON WE PRODUCE 4-5 PROFESSIONAL PLAYS AND COMMUNITY PROGRAMS TO SERVE 12,000 PEOPLE. OUR FREE EDUCATION PROGRAMS HAVE MADE SPACE FOR 10,000+ YOUNG PEOPLE TO FIND THEIR VOICES, AND SHARE THEIR STORIES.

Income
$2.1 million
Spending
$1.9 million
Spent on programs
75%
Reserves
0.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 44%
Employees
44
Volunteers
149
Highest pay
$67,998, 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

Fair: 64 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 12% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    75% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 49% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 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

    7 of 7

    Has a 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.

  • 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 (2)
  1. $1.2 million spent. ARTISTIC SERVICES: DURING OUR 17TH SEASON (2024-2025), WE PRODUCED FOUR PLAYS THAT DREW 9,204 AUDIENCE MEMBERS. THE SEASON OPENED IN FALL 2024 WITH THE MUSICAL "AMLIE," BASED ON THE BELOVED 2001 FRENCH FILM, WHICH PLAYED TO SOLD-OUT HOUSES ACROSS ITS FIVE-WEEK RUN. OUR ANNUAL HOLIDAY SHOW (INSPIRED BY DICKENS' "A CHRISTMAS CAROL") SOLD 3,618 TICKETS OVER FIVE WEEKS. IN WINTER 2025 WE PRODUCED NOTES FROM THE FIELD," ANNA DEAVERE SMITH'S POWERFUL ONE-PERSON EXPLORATION OF THE SCHOOL-TO-PRISON PIPELINE, DRAWN FROM INTERVIEWS WITH STUDENTS, TEACHERS, PARENTS, AND ADVOCATES ACROSS THE COUNTRY. WE CLOSED THE SEASON IN SPRING 2025 WITH AUGUST WILSON'S "JOE TURNER'S COME AND GONE," THE SECOND PLAY IN WILSON'S AMERICAN CENTURY CYCLE, WHICH FOLLOWS A GROUP OF BLACK BOARDING HOUSE RESIDENTS IN 1911 PITTSBURGH GRAPPLING WITH THE LEGACIES OF SLAVERY AND THE SEARCH FOR IDENTITY. JOE TURNER ALSO PLAYED TO SOLD-OUT HOUSES AND CAPPED A SEASON OF RECORD TICKET SALES.AUDIENCE FEEDBACK FROM "JOE TURNER'S COME AND GONE"-"IT BROUGHT NEW INSIGHTS AND PERSONAL CONNECTIONS TO MY UNDERSTANDING OF AMERICAN HISTORY - VERY TROUBLING BUT SO HELPFUL TO APPRECIATE A PERIOD FRAUGHT WITH CHANGE, NOT UNLIKE WHAT WE ARE EXPERIENCING NOW. THIS IS WHY THEATRE AND ALL THE ARTS ARE SO IMPORTANT FOR A STRONG NATION. ABSOLUTELY GREAT STORY, SUPERB PRESENTATION, MOVING PERFORMANCES BY TOPNOTCH ACTORS. THANK YOU! NOTES FROM THE FIELD" INCLUDED THAT "EVERYONE SHOULD SEE THIS SHOW! IT IS EVERYTHING ART AND THEATER SHOULD BE - MOVING, MEMORABLE, INSPIRATIONAL, REFLECTIVE, AND RELEVANT. WE'LL BE THINKING ABOUT THIS PLAY FOR A LONG TIME."
  2. $223,171 spent. EDUCATIONAL SERVICES: IN JUNE 2024 WE LAUNCHED OUR FOURTH YEAR OF SUMMER ENRICHMENT PROGRAMMING WITH PORTLAND PUBLIC SCHOOLS, SERVING 120 STUDENTS FROM 8 ELEMENTARY. IN SEASON 17, 292 PORTLAND YOUTH ACROSS FIVE SCHOOLS ENGAGED IN COLLABORATIVE CREATION AND THEATRE-BASED STORYTELLING.OUR FALL FESTIVAL OF SHAKESPEARE BROUGHT 280 STUDENTS FROM DA VINCI ARTS MIDDLE SCHOOL, HARRIET TUBMAN MIDDLE SCHOOL, ARTS & COMMUNICATION MAGNET ACADEMY, AND PARK ACADEMY (SERVING STUDENTS WITH LEARNING DIFFERENCES) TOGETHER FOR TEN WEEKS OF COLLABORATION IN ACTING, DESIGN, AND PRODUCTION, CULMINATING IN PERFORMANCES AT THE WINNINGSTAD THEATRE. IN RESPONSE TO STAFF FEEDBACK, WE EXPANDED TEACHER TRAINING TO INCLUDE TRAUMA-INFORMED PRACTICES, FIRST AID, AND ANTI-RACISM AND CULTURAL COMPETENCY. ONE STUDENT REFLECTED THAT EVEN AS "A DYSLEXIC KID WHO STRUGGLES WITH READING AND I'M DOING ONE OF THE HARDEST PLAYS THAT COULD BE," THE PROGRAM FELT FUN, SUPPORTIVE, AND WORTHWHILE AND MANY PARTICIPANTS DESCRIBED THE STRONG SENSE OF COMMUNITY THEY BUILT AND THE PRIDE THEY FELT PERFORMING ALONGSIDE THEIR PEERS. IN SPRING 2025, TEACHING ARTIST KAYLA KELLY LED AN AFTER-SCHOOL RESIDENCY AT ST. ANDREW NATIVITY SCHOOL OREGON'S ONLY TUITION-FREE PRIVATE MIDDLE SCHOOL FOR LOW-INCOME STUDENTS, JUST TEN BLOCKS FROM THE PLAYHOUSE WHERE 12 SIXTH-THROUGH-EIGHTH GRADERS CREATED AND FILMED ORIGINAL SHORT PLAYS TO SHARE WITH THEIR FAMILIES.

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 February 2009.

    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.