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The Byrd Theatre Foundation

EIN 31-1806232 · Richmond, VA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak38 out of 100GovernanceGood80 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PRESERVE THE LANDMARK BYRD THEATRE WHILE PROVIDING UNIQUE EXPERIENCES FOR ALL WITH A VISION TO ESTABLISH THE BYRD THEATRE AS A PREMIER DESTINATION FOR OUR VISITORS TO ENCOUNTER EXCEPTIONAL EXPERIENCES THAT ENGAGE, EDUCATE, MOTIVATE, AND INSPIRE.

Income
$1.6 million
Spending
$1.4 million
Spent on programs
65%
Reserves
-7.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 42%
Employees
33
Volunteers
15
Highest pay
$84,100, executive 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

Weak: 38 out of 100. Higher than 9% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 44% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 13% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 19% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    65% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 26 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: 80 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 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

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 (3)
  1. $241,244 spent. CAPACITY BUILDING FOR GROWTH:THE FOUNDATION CONTINUES TO EMPLOY A PROFESSIONAL STAFF TO OVERSEE THE DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONS OF THE THEATRE AND HAS MADE MAJOR STRIDES IN CAPACITY BUILDING. AS OF JUNE 30, 2024, THE FOUNDATION HAD SEVERAL FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES INCLUDING AN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, A GENERAL MANAGER, AND A DIRECTOR OF HISTORIC PRESERVATION AND CHIEF CURATOR, AND MULTIPLE PART-TIME EMPLOYEES TO COVER ACTIVITIES RANGING FROM MANAGING THE THEATRE'S SOCIAL MEDIA TO WORKING FRONT OF HOUSE AND PROJECTION POSITIONS. THE FOUNDATION RAISED AND USED FUNDS FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF AN AGED AND NON-FUNCTIONING HVAC CHILLER SYSTEM.
  2. $539,713 spent. RESTORATION AND IMPROVEMENTS TO THE THEATRE:LISTED ON THE STATE AND NATIONAL REGISTERS OF HISTORIC LANDMARKS, THE BYRD THEATRE OPENED NINETY-SIX YEARS AGO ON DECEMBER 24, 1928. IT HAS REMAINED OPERATIONAL AND NEARLY UNCHANGED SINCE THE DAY CONSTRUCTION WAS COMPLETED. IN 2011, THE BYRD THEATRE FOUNDATION LAUNCHED A BOLD INITIATIVE TO RAISE THE FIRST $1,800,000 FOR PHASE ONE RESTORATION PROJECTS, MORTGAGE REDUCTION AND CAPACITY BUILDING. SIGNIFICANT ACHIVEMENTS INCLUDED REPLACEMENT OF THE ROOF, REPLACEMENTS OF THE THEATRE'S HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEMS, INSTALLATION OF A DIGITAL SERVER, INSTALLATION OF A NEW STATE-OF-THE-ART 4K PROJECTOR, ONGOING MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS ON THE MIGHTY WURLITZER ORGRAN. MORE RECENT WORK HAS INCLUDED REPAIR AND RESTORATION OF THE THEATRE'S PLASTERWORK, INSTALLATION OF A POINT-OF-SALE SYSTEM AT THE THEATRE, REPLACEMNET OF THE THEATRE'S CENTER SECTION OF SEATS IN THE MAIN AUDITORIUM, CREATION OF A WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE SEATING AREA AND CONSTRUCTION OF AN ADA FAMILY RESTROOM ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF THE THEATRE. THIS PAST YEAR, THE FOUNDATION RAISED THE NECESSARY FUNDS AND REPLACAED ITS HVAC CHILLER UNIT AS WELL AS INSTALLING A NEW BUILDING AUTOMATION SYSTEM CONTROLS WHICH WILL BE USED TO CONTROL THE HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEM REMOTELY.
  3. $129,900 spent. EVOLVING THE BYRD AS A CENTER FOR FILM, FILM LITERACY, AND PROGRAM EXPANSION:THE FOUNDATION HAS WORKED HARD TO EXPAND ITS AUDIENCE REACH. TO ACHIEVE THIS GOAL, THE FOUNDATION HAS PARTNERED WITH MULTIPLE FILM FESTIVALS AS THE HOST VENUE, INCLUDING THE RICHMOND INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL AND THE RICHMOND ANIMATION FESTIVAL. EACH FILM FESTIVAL BRINGS IN HUNDREDS OF PATRONS TO THE THEATRE EACH YEAR. DURING THE PAST YEAR, THE FOUNDATION SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED A CONTRACT WITH AN ARCHITECTURAL FIRM THAT PRODUCED A MECHANICAL, ENGINEERING, AND PLUMBING REPORT AND A CONCEPT AND FEASIBILITY STUDY, BOTH OF WHICH WILL BE USED TO REHABILITATE THE THEATRE. AND, FINALLY, THE THEATRE HAS CONTINUED TO COLLABORATE WITH THE CARYTOWN MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION TO PROGRAM ACTIVITIES FOR THE COMMUNITY.

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 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 June 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 June 2002.

    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.

  7. Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.

    A much larger organization has a similar name: The Foundation (Houston, TX), EIN 92-0742101. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.

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