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Ashland Productions Inc

EIN 32-0122026 · Maplewood, MN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood78 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

ASHLAND IS A YOUTH-CENTERED, MULTIGENERATIONAL THEATER COMPANY THAT FOSTERS SELF-ESTEEM AND A SENSE OF BELONGING. THROUGH A CULTURE OF WELCOMING ACCEPTANCE, ASHLAND'S UNIQUE PROCESS CREATES EXCEPTIONAL PERFORMANCES ENJOYED BY THE MANY COMMUNITIES WE SERVE.

Income
$830,901
Spending
$820,214
Spent on programs
76%
Reserves
3.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 71%
Employees
8
Volunteers
100
Highest pay
$106,875, artistic director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 78 out of 100. Higher than 53% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 22% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 9% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    76% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 15 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 95% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 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

    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 August 31, 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. $619,505 spent. FEATURED SHOWSASHLAND PRODUCED SEVEN FULLY STAGED MUSICALS, OPEN TO THE PUBLIC WITH PAID ADMISSION. THESE PRODUCTIONS FEATURED 300 PERFORMERS FROM AGES 7 TO 70 AND PLAY TO THOUSANDS OF AUDIENCE MEMBERS. ALL OF OUR ASHLAND'S FEATURE SHOWS INCLUDE YOUTH PERFORMERS. IN THE 2024/2025 SEASON ASHLAND PRODUCED 1.) BEAUTY AND THE BEAST 2.) BEAUTY AND THE BEAST JR. 3.) CHRISTMAS CAROL 4.) BIG FISH 5.) MATILDA JR. 6.) INTO THE WOODS AND 7.) LIGHTNING THIEF
  2. SUMMER CAMPSASHLAND OFFERS A ROBUST SLATE OF CAMP OPTIONS THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER MONTHS. ELEMENTARY STUDENTS TYPICALLY ARE OFFERED 3 ONE-WEEK CAMPS FOCUSING ON THE MUSIC OF A POPULAR MOVIE, MUSICAL, OR SINGER. MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS ARE OFFERED 2-3 ONE-WEEK SHOWCASE CAMPS AND A TWO-WEEK PRODUCTION CAMP. OLDER ASHLAND PARTICIPANTS ACT AS PAID COUNSELORS OR JUNIOR COUNSELORS, MODELING BEHAVIOR THROUGHOUT CAMP.THIS YEAR ASHLAND SAW MORE THAN 300 CAMPERS.
  3. ASHLAND COLLABORATIVE THEATER (ACT!) THIS PROGRAM ENABLES ELEMENTARY-AGED CHILDREN FROM EAST METRO PARTNER SCHOOLS TO EXPERIENCE THEATER FOR WHAT IS OFTEN THE VERY FIRST TIME. STUDENTS REHEARSE TWICE A WEEK FOR THREE MONTHS AT THE HOST SCHOOL BEFORE TRANSFERRING TO THE ASHLAND STAGE FOR TECH WEEK AND PERFORMANCES. THE ACT PROGRAM TYPICALLY WORKS WITH 8-12 PARTNER SCHOOLS AND IMPACTS MORE THAN 700 CHILDREN ANNUALLY.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 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 August 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 March 2005.

    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.

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.