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American Cabaret Theatre Inc

EIN 31-1225154 · Indianapolis, IN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair65 out of 100GovernanceStrong94 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

FOUNDED IN 1988, AMERICAN CABARET THEATRE, INC. DBA THE CABARET, IS A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO ELEVATING AND PROMOTING THE CABARET ART FORM BY ENTERTAINING, EDUCATING, AND ENGAGING AUDIENCES AND ARTISTS THROUGH WORLD-CLASS PERFORMANCE. AS THE CABARET ATTRACTS ARTISTS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE, AUDIENCES TOO TRAVEL FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY TO SEE THESE WORLD CLASS ARTISTS IN THE VENUE'S AWARD-WINNING UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL SETTING.

Income
$1.6 million
Spending
$1.7 million
Spent on programs
81%
Reserves
3.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 53%
Employees
7
Volunteers
26
Highest pay
$131,378, ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 39% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 28% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 11% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 8% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    81% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 24 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 94 out of 100. Higher than 59% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    17 of 17 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

    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

    9 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 December 31, 2024, 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. $1.3 million spent. ARTISTIC PROGRAMMING:IN 2024, THE CABARET PRESENTED 40 PERFORMANCES THAT SERVED 8,063 IN PERSON AUDIENCES, PROVIDED VIRTUAL PROGRAMMING THROUGH ITS YOUTUBE CHANNEL RESULTING IN 1.4 MILLION GLOBAL VIEWS, AND 47 EVENTS OR ACTIVITIES AS PART OF ITS EDUCATION AND OUTREACH PROGRAMMING THAT SERVED 17,256 FOR A TOTAL AUDIENCE OF 1.5 MILLION.THE ALLEY/"THE ALLEY SESSIONS" A ONCE RUN-DOWN HISTORIC ALLEY WAS TRANSFORMED INTO A VIBRANT ARTS CORRIDOR AND COMMUNITY GATHERING SPACE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FOR A FREE, FOUR CONCERT SERIES (ARTISTS WERE PAID A COMPETITIVE MARKET RATE), SERVING 1,310. AUDIENCES WERE ABLE TO ORDER A VARIETY OF FOOD AND BEVERAGES FOR AN OUTDOOR, CASUAL EXPERIENCE. 2024 ARTISTIC SEASON THE CABARET'S FLAGSHIP INDOOR SEASON INCLUDED FIVE SERIES: GLICK PHILANTHROPIES BROADWAY AT THE CABARET, JAZZ AT THE CABARET, THE CHRISTEL DEHAAN INTERNATIONAL SERIES, THE UNIQUELY CABARET SERIES, AND THE NEXT GENERATION SERIES. THE SEASON INCLUDED 40 PERFORMANCES AND SERVED AN IN-PERSON AUDIENCE OF 8,063.VIRTUAL PROGRAMMING - THE CABARET REACHES AN ASTONISHINGLY DIVERSE GLOBAL AUDIENCE THROUGH ITS CAREFULLY CURATED PERFORMANCE OFFERINGS ON ITS YOUTUBE CHANNEL. THE CHANNEL PROVIDES FREE ACCESS TO MORE THAN 900 HIGH-QUALITY ARCHIVAL PERFORMANCES AND CLASS VIDEOS. NEW VIDEOS ARE ADDED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. THE CHANNEL HAS 27.7K SUBSCRIBERS WITH AN AVERAGE OF 1.5 TO 2 MILLION VIEWERS ANNUALLY REPRESENTING 68 DIFFERENT COUNTRIES. SERVING AS AN ARTIST AND COMMUNITY HUB, THE CABARET OFFERS ITS VENUE, STAGE, AND SERVICES TO ARTS ORGANIZATIONS, NONPROFITS AND INDEPENDENT ARTISTS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE HIGH-QUALITY, INTIMATE PERFORMANCE SPACE AND THE CABARET STAFF'S EXPERTISE IN BUSINESS AND PERFORMANCE. INDEPENDENT ARTISTS AND SMALL ARTS ORGANIZATIONS USE THE CABARET'S SPACE AT NO CHARGE FOR REHEARSALS, PERFORMANCES, RECORDINGS, AND PHOTO SHOOTS, EVENTS, ETC.
  2. $67,249 spent. EDUCATIONAL AND OUTREACH PROGRAMMING: THE CABARET PROVIDES BURGEONING CABARET ARTISTSFROM STUDENTS TO PROFESSIONALSWITH A CONTINUUM OF EDUCATIONAL AND OUTREACH PROGRAMMING TO HONE THEIR PERFORMANCE/CAREER SKILLS AND PERFORM LIVE ON STAGE. PROGRAMS INCLUDE MASTERCLASSES AND CAREER WORKSHOPS WITH NATIONAL ARTISTS AND INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS; ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE PROGRAM; PRE-SHOW PERFORMANCE SPOTLIGHTS; DISCOUNT STUDENT TICKETS; AND PAID ARTS MANAGEMENT INTERNSHIPS. ALL PROGRAMS ARE OFFERED FREE OF CHARGE. 1,558 STUDENTS WERE DIRECTLY SERVED BY THE CABARET'S EDUCATIONAL/ARTIST DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMING IN 2024.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 October 13, 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 December 2024.

    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 March 1988.

    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 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.