Black Women Playwrights Group
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.
- It owes more than it owns.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
The Black Women Playwrights group (BWPG) is a service and advocacy group for African American playwrights writing for the professional theater. The mission of BWPG is to support and promote the work of our members as well as advocate on critical issues within the theater world. For more than 20 years in the Washington, DC metropolitan community, we have been an institution that reflects and serves our community, gives voice and an artistic haven to women who are writing their first play, and to those who have won many honors and awards. BWPG represents women playwrights of color at national theater convenings and in professional pblications such as The Theater Journal, published by Johns Hopkins University.
- Income
- $80,621
- Spending
- $96,226
- Reserves
- -0.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 99%
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending August 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 0 out of 100. Higher than 0% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
0 of 20It owes 102% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 19% of income.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending August 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending August 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)
- $17,057 spent. "12@12 Noon" is a private SMS that delivers 12-line dramatic scenes to a mobile phone or tablet every weekday at 12 noon. Each line is only 140 characters and the scenes are written by award-winning playwrights.The 12@12Noon scenes are then performed by professional actors in casual performance venues such as coffee houses, community centers, and ice cream parlors. The app and performances are free and open to the public."12 Line Wonder" is the educational version of the 12@12 Noon app, and also delivers 12-line dramatic scenes to students on their mobile devices and each scene is accompanied by a lesson plan in the Teacher Portal, discussion questions, and a quiz. The apps are interactive and at the end of each scene, there is a call to action for students and users to write their own 12-line scene, using the characters and circumstances as a starting point.
- $73,838 spent. BWPG supports Music & Mentoring House, Inc (M&MH). M&MH is organized as a New York State non-profit organization that cultivates a positive appreciation for the arts and culture, by enhancing the educational experience of artists in a safe, affordable and mentored environment. M&MH provides hands-on mentoring, upscale affordable housing and complete board to students and professionals studying arts in New York City. The corporation also provides a place where the public can come together and experience the development of young artists and the importance the arts play in society. BWPG has no control, subsidiary, or any other relationship with M&MH other than supporting its mission through the arms length remission of proceeds as documented and disclosed in Part III, Line 28a of this filing.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending August 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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.
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.
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.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending August 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since May 1999.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.