Diversionary Theatre Productions Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The mission of Diversionary Theatre is to provide an inspiring and thought provoking theatrical platform to explore complex and diverse LGBTQIA+ stories, which influence the larger cultural discussion.
- Income
- $1.2 million
- Spending
- $1.8 million
- Spent on programs
- 71%
- Reserves
- 2.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 54%
- Employees
- 57
- Volunteers
- 150
- Highest pay
- $113,491, executive dir.
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: 50 out of 100. Higher than 20% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 2.6 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 8% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 44% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 18% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1571% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 18 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
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2514 of 16 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (1)
- $1.3 million spent. 39 Years of Groundbreaking Theatre & Arts EducationThe Mission of Diversionary Theatre is to provide an inspiring, inclusive, and empowering space for community to celebrate and explore complex, provocative, and diverse LGBTQIA+ stories which contribute to the larger cultural discussion.Diversionary Theatre (Diversionary) is the third oldest LGBTQIA+ theatre in the country, founded in 1986 during the darkest days of the HIV/AIDS crisis in order to bring to light important social issues that impact the quality of life of LGBTQIA+ people. Diversionary has been a beacon for a community searching for a platform to be heard for over three decades. The rapidly evolving national debate over LGBTQIA+ rights, marriage equality, adoption rights, discrimination, and bullying all speak to the need for our mission, and indeed, Diversionary has been instrumental in fostering the conversation over these issues in San Diego.Diversionary is a rare, yet essential part of the American cultural landscape, and as the only LGBTQIA+ theatre in San Diego, a vital part of the communitys arts ecology. Since its inception, Diversionary has produced over 150 World, West Coast, and San Diego premieres and revivals, as well as a host of arts education programs sowing cultural tolerance and a theatre-going audience of the future.Our Arts Education Programs are focused on providing cross-cultural understanding around LGBTQIA+ themes, and providing resources for participants to gain a better understanding of themselves and the broader world in which they live. While we are a small theatre organization, we are proud of the diversity of what we are able to offer. Our education program provides arts education activities that are integrated throughout Diversionarys mainstage productions, and also provides stand-alone programming in our historic site in University Heights and in classrooms at participating schools across San Diego County.Awards and Accomplishments- WINNER of multiple San Diego Critics Circle Awards:- 2023 Outstanding Lead Performance in a musical for Gerilyn Brault in Head Over Heels- 2023 Outstanding Lead Performance in a play for Sara Porkalob in Dragon Mama- 2019 Outstanding Lead Performance in a play for The Hour of Great Mercy- 2019 Outstanding Lead Performance in a musical for Hedwig and The Angry Inch2019 Actor of the Year, Michael Louis Cusimano and Cashae Monya- 2018 Outstanding Lead Performance for Wrekless Watson for Cardboard Piano- 2017 Outstanding New Play for Ballast by Georgette Kelly- 2017 Outstanding Solo Performance for Shana Wride in 2.5 Minute Ride- 2017 Outstanding Featured Performance for Annie Hinton in Well- 2016 Outstanding Actor in a Musical for Justin Huertas in Lizard Boy The Musical- 2016 Outstanding Score for a Musical for The Boy Who Danced On Air- 2016 Recipient of the prestigious 2016 Don Braunagal Award for Outstanding Work- Named the #1 Reason San Diego Theatre Rocks by City Beat Magazine for 2017.- Diversionary is an economic anchor in University Heights and its resident businesses, attracting over 10,000 patrons annually to the neighborhood.- Diversionary reaches over 2,000 public school students annually, through its Student Matinee Series serving San Diego Middle High Schools, after-school program serving San Diego Elementary schools, Teen-Versionary program, and D-Tours free touring production which travels to school campuses and community centers across San Diego County- Diversionarys unique Teen-Versionary program brings together a diverse group of LGBTQIA+ students to work together to produce a new show featuring important social themes.- Diversionarys Stonewall Salon is San Diegos only performing arts program specifically serving the elderly LGBTQIA+ community, a segment of our population in need of social programs as they rarely have extended family or children.
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
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 June 2025.
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 October 1992.
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.