Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Fort Wayne Youtheatre Incorporated

EIN 35-1551064 · Fort Wayne, IN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood89 out of 100GovernanceStrong92 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF THE FORT WAYNE YOUTHEATRE IS TO EDUCATE, ENGAGE, AND ENTERTAIN AREA YOUTH AND FAMILIES THROUGH THEATRE ARTS. FOUNDED BY MRS. CHAN RAY AND MRS. LESTER JACOBS IN 1934 AS PART OF OLD FORT PLAYERS (NOW THE CIVIC THEATRE), THE FORT WAYNE YOUTHEATRE IS THE FIFTH OLDEST CHILDREN'S THEATRE IN THE NATION AND OFFERS A COMPLETE THEATRE EXPERIENCE TO CHILDREN AGES 3 TO 18 THROUGH THREE KEY PROGRAMS; PRODUCTIONS, CLASSES AND CAMPS, AND OUTREACH.

Income
$317,644
Spending
$332,550
Spent on programs
68%
Reserves
12.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 59%
Employees
7
Volunteers
125
Highest pay
$64,217, executive di

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

Good: 89 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 12.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 26% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 17% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    68% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 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: 92 out of 100. Higher than 87% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • 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

    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

    0 of 5

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

  • Independent check of accounts

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • 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 (1)
  1. $225,084 spent. YOUTHEATRE ACADEMY OF PERFORMING ARTS: CLASSES AND CAMPS PROVIDE HANDS-ON TRAINING IN ALL ASPECTS OF THEATRE, FROM ACTING AND STAGE PRESENCE TO TECHNICAL PRODUCTION AND CREATING ORIGINAL WORKS. IN 2024-2025, ACADEMY PROGRAMS BUILT THE CONFIDENCE OF NEARLY 450 YOUTH THROUGHOUT THE FALL, SPRING, AND SUMMER SEMESTERS. YOUTHEATRE PARTNERS WITH THE EMBASSY THEATRE EACH SUMMER TO PRESENT "LET'S PUT ON A SHOW," A PERFORMANCE-BASED CAMP OPPORTUNITY AT THE HISTORIC EMBASSY THEATRE. IN JUNE 2025, YOUTHEATRE ANNOUNCED A NEW PROGRAM 'YOUNG @ HEART,' PRESENTING VARIOUS WORKSHOPS FOR THEATRE ENTHUSIASTS AND FAMILIES OF ALL AGES IN COLLABORATION WITH INDIANA MUSICAL THEATRE FOUNDATION. MAINSTAGE PRODUCTIONS: IN 2024-2025, YOUTHEATRE MAINSTAGE PRODUCTIONS ENGAGED 114 YOUTH ON-STAGE, OFFERED 30 YOUTH OPPORTUNITIES OFF-STAGE AS TECHNICIANS, AND FACILITATED SCHOOL SHOWS ATTENDED BY 1,503 STUDENTS. A GRAND TOTAL OF 5,696 INDIVIDUALS WERE SERVED THROUGH MAINSTAGE SHOWS. OUR YOUNG HEROES OF CONSCIOUS PRODUCTION, SOMETHING HAPPENED IN OUR TOWN, FACILITATED IMPORTANT CONVERSATIONS ABOUT RACE, POLICING, AND SOCIAL JUSTICE THROUGH A STRUCTURED COMMUNITY DIALOGUE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH FORT WAYNE URBAN LEAGUE AND UNITED FRONT. THE SECOND INSTALLMENT OF OUR 'STORIES FROM THE STACKS: THEATRE FOR YOUNG READERS' COLLABORATIVE PROGRAM WITH THE ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY WAS BROUGHT TO 1,480 INDIVIDUALS COMPLETELY FREE OF COST, REMOVING THE FINANCIAL BARRIER. COMMUNITY OUTREACH: ACCESS TO THE ARTS IS OF THE UTMOST IMPORTANCE TO YOUTHEATRE. WE WORK TO ENGAGE OUR COMMUNITY BY OFFERING A WIDE SELECTION OF PROGRAMS TO ENCOURAGE BROAD PARTICIPATION. OUTREACH EFFORTS IN 2024-2025 INCLUDED: WORKSHOPS WITH THE BOYS & GIRLS CLUB; SUMMER PROGRAMMING WITH CAMP RED CEDAR; AFTER-SCHOOL WORKSHOPS WITH ELEMENTARY-AGED GIRL SCOUTS; AND PARTICIPATION IN COMMUNITY EVENTS, INCLUDING PBS EXPLORER DAY, FRIGHT NIGHT AND TASTE OF THE ARTS. YOUTHEATRE ON-THE-GO PRODUCTIONS INCREASED THEIR REACH FROM THE YEAR PRIOR, REACHING 1,185 YOUNG PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY THROUGH FREE PERFORMANCES AT SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITY CENTERS. YOUTHEATRE ACADEMY OF PERFORMING ARTS: CLASSES AND CAMPS PROVIDE HANDS-ON TRAINING IN ALL ASPECTS OF THEATRE, FROM ACTING AND STAGE PRESENCE TO TECHNICAL PRODUCTION AND CREATING ORIGINAL WORKS. IN 2024-2025, ACADEMY PROGRAMS BUILT THE CONFIDENCE OF NEARLY 450 YOUTH THROUGHOUT THE FALL, SPRING, AND SUMMER SEMESTERS. YOUTHEATRE PARTNERS WITH THE EMBASSY THEATRE EACH SUMMER TO PRESENT "LET'S PUT ON A SHOW," A PERFORMANCE-BASED CAMP OPPORTUNITY AT THE HISTORIC EMBASSY THEATRE. IN JUNE 2025, YOUTHEATRE ANNOUNCED A NEW PROGRAM 'YOUNG @ HEART,' PRESENTING VARIOUS WORKSHOPS FOR THEATRE ENTHUSIASTS AND FAMILIES OF ALL AGES IN COLLABORATION WITH INDIANA MUSICAL THEATRE FOUNDATION. MAINSTAGE PRODUCTIONS: IN 2024-2025, YOUTHEATRE MAINSTAGE PRODUCTIONS ENGAGED 114 YOUTH ON-STAGE, OFFERED 30 YOUTH OPPORTUNITIES OFF-STAGE AS TECHNICIANS, AND FACILITATED SCHOOL SHOWS ATTENDED BY 1,503 STUDENTS. A GRAND TOTAL OF 5,696 INDIVIDUALS WERE SERVED THROUGH MAINSTAGE SHOWS. OUR YOUNG HEROES OF CONSCIOUS PRODUCTION, SOMETHING HAPPENED IN OUR TOWN, FACILITATED IMPORTANT CONVERSATIONS ABOUT RACE, POLICING, AND SOCIAL JUSTICE THROUGH A STRUCTURED COMMUNITY DIALOGUE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH FORT WAYNE URBAN LEAGUE AND UNITED FRONT. THE SECOND INSTALLMENT OF OUR 'STORIES FROM THE STACKS: THEATRE FOR YOUNG READERS' COLLABORATIVE PROGRAM WITH THE ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY WAS BROUGHT TO 1,480 INDIVIDUALS COMPLETELY FREE OF COST, REMOVING THE FINANCIAL BARRIER. COMMUNITY OUTREACH: ACCESS TO THE ARTS IS OF THE UTMOST IMPORTANCE TO YOUTHEATRE. WE WORK TO ENGAGE OUR COMMUNITY BY OFFERING A WIDE SELECTION OF PROGRAMS TO ENCOURAGE BROAD PARTICIPATION. OUTREACH EFFORTS IN 2024-2025 INCLUDED: WORKSHOPS WITH THE BOYS & GIRLS CLUB; SUMMER PROGRAMMING WITH CAMP RED CEDAR; AFTER-SCHOOL WORKSHOPS WITH ELEMENTARY-AGED GIRL SCOUTS; AND PARTICIPATION IN COMMUNITY EVENTS, INCLUDING PBS EXPLORER DAY, FRIGHT NIGHT AND TASTE OF THE ARTS. YOUTHEATRE ON-THE-GO PRODUCTIONS INCREASED THEIR REACH FROM THE YEAR PRIOR, REACHING 1,185 YOUNG PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY THROUGH FREE PERFORMANCES AT SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITY CENTERS.

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 October 1985.

    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.