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Civic Theatre of Greater Lafayette Inc

EIN 31-0914144 · Lafayette, IN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair55 out of 100GovernanceGood72 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Only 47% of its spending went to programs.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

TO ENHANCE THE ARTISTIC AND CULTURAL ENVIRONMENT OF THE GREATER LAFAYETTE COMMUNITY THROUGH THEATRICAL PRODUCTIONS AND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES.

Income
$534,784
Spending
$567,225
Spent on programs
47%
Reserves
3.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 54%
Employees
20
Volunteers
400
Highest pay
$68,809, prod artisti

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: 55 out of 100. Higher than 23% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 23% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 6% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 8% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    47% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 16 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

Good: 72 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • 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

    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.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

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

  • Independent check of accounts

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • 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 (5)
  1. $138,029 spent. MAINSTAGE - TO PROVIDE THEATRE FOR PUBLIC ENTERTAINMENT, AN ACCESS TO THE PUBLIC FOR SELF-EXPRESSION AND CREATIVITY AND TO ADD TO THE CULTURAL ENVIRONMENT OF THE COMMUNITY.
  2. $102,502 spent. CIVIC YOUTH THEATRE - TO PROVIDE PRODUCTIONS INVOLVING PRIMARILY YOUTH AND ALLOWING STUDENTS TO WORK WITH TRAINED INSTRUCTORS TOWARD A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF PERFORMANCE AND ACTING EXPOSES STUDENTS TO ALL FACETS OF THEATRE PRODUCTION.
  3. $1,317 spent. OUTREACH - CIVIC THEATRE OF GREATER LAFAYETTE, INC. DOES OUTREACH WITH AND FOR PEOPLE OF ALL AGES. SCHOOLS IN THE AREA ARE INVITED TO SPECIAL STUDENT MATINEE PERFORMANCES FOR AN AFFORDABLE COST. AT THESE PERFORMANCES, STUDY GUIDES ARE PROVIDED TO TEACHERS, AND AUDIENCES ARE INVITED TO TALK-BACK WITH THE CAST AND CREW.
  4. $25,302 spent. SPECIAL PRODUCTIONS - PRODUCE ADDITIONAL PLAYS OR PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT THE SEASON AS IT SEES A NEED IN THE COMMUNITY. THESE PRODUCTIONS SERVE TO BRING IN AUDIENCE MEMBERS WHO ARE NOT REGULAR SEASON TICKET HOLDERS. TICKET PASSES TO THESE EVENTS ARE AFFORDABLE FOR ENTIRE FAMILIES.
  5. SPECIAL PRODUCTIONS - PRODUCE ADDITIONAL PLAYS OR PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT THE SEASON AS IT SEES A NEED IN THE COMMUNITY. THESE PRODUCTIONS SERVE TO BRING IN AUDIENCE MEMBERS WHO ARE NOT REGULAR SEASON TICKET HOLDERS. TICKET PASSES TO THESE EVENTS ARE AFFORDABLE FOR ENTIRE 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 July 1979.

    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.