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Ensemble Theater

EIN 34-1335563 · Cleveland Hts, OH

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak43 out of 100GovernanceNot ratedThe short tax form does not cover thisImpact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

ENSEMBLE THEATRE IS DEDICATED TO THE RESPONSIBLE PRODUCTION OF WORKS THAT CELEBRATE THE HUMAN SPIRIT DRAWN FROM THE RICH CANON OF MODERN AMERICAN CLASSICS AS WELL AS OTHER SIGNIFICANT CONTEMPORARY PLAYS. ENSEMBLE SERVES GREATER CLEVELAND AND THE MIDWEST REGION BY REINTRODUCING THE CLASSICS, EXAMINING THEM WITH NEW EYES, AND SUPPORTING THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW WORKS FOR THE AMERICAN THEATER.

Income
$115,607
Spending
$174,055
Reserves
5.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 80%
Highest pay
$45,000, exec artisti

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 43 out of 100. Higher than 14% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 44% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 51% of income.

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending June 30, 2025, 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 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. $148,323 spent. THE THEATER IS COMMITTED TO NON-TRADITIONAL CASTING AND TO PROVIDING CULTURALLY DIVERSE PROGRAMMING THAT SPEAKS TO ISSUES OF CONTEMPORARY LIFE. EDUCATION AND OUTREACH ACTIVITIES, ENGAGE YOUTH AND LOCAL COMMUNITY MEMBERS THROUGH ON SITE PROGRAMMING, RESIDENCIES, AND TOURING PERFORMANCES. ENSEMBLE THEATRE BELIEVES THAT THE ARTS ARE AN ESSENTIAL AND MEANINGFUL PART OF LIFE. THE THEATRE OFFERS AN IMPORTANT FORUM FOR STIMULATING AND PROVOKING THOUGHT ABOUT THE ISSUES OF CONTEMPORARY LIFE, AND IT IS A PLACE FOR COMMUNAL EXPERIENCE. INTRODUCING FUTURE GENERATIONS TO THE ARTS WILL ENLIGHTEN THEM ABOUT THE HUMAN CONDITION AND PROVIDE THEM WITH A RESOURCE TO NOURISH THEM THROUGHOUT THEIR LIVES. ALL ART, INCLUDING THEATRE, SHOULD BE A CELEBRATION OF DIVERSITY AND HUMAN DIGNITY. ENSEMBLE ADHERES TO A CREDO WITH A POLICY OF NON-TRADITIONAL, CASTING. THIS IS THE USE OF ACTORS OF ANY RACE, SEX, ETHNICITY OR DEGREE OF DISABILITIES IN ROLES FOR WHICH SUCH FACTORS ARE NOT GERMANE TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF STAGE CHARACTERS OR THE PLAY. THE THEATRE PROVIDES THE HIGHEST POSSIBLE LEVEL OF PROFESSIONALISM IN ALL AREAS TO NURTURE NEW TALENT, AND TO BE EVER MINDFUL OF THE POWER OF ART TO ENTERTAIN AND MOVE THE AUDIENCE.

Source: Form 990EZ 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 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 June 2025.

    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 July 1981.

    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.