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New Harmony Project Inc

EIN 35-1728624 · Indianapolis, IN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair50 out of 100GovernanceStrong92 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE NEW HARMONY PROJECT IS A NATIONAL ARTS ORGANIZATION WHOSE MISSION IS TO NURTURE WRITERS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF SCRIPTS AND NEW WORKS THAT INTERROGATE THE COMPLEXITY OF HOPE. THROUGH ARTIST-CENTERED PROGRAMMING, WE CARE FOR WRITERS SO THEY CAN CHANGE THE WORLD.

Income
$447,477
Spending
$621,973
Spent on programs
81%
Reserves
1.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 82%
Employees
6
Volunteers
12
Highest pay
$80,900, artistic 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

Fair: 50 out of 100. Higher than 18% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 39% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 12% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    81% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 16 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

    12 of 12 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 (3)
  1. $276,246 spent. FROM MAY 21-JUNE 1, 2025, NHP HELD ITS ANNUAL WRITERS' RESIDENCY CONVENING 25 WRITERS AT ALL STAGES OF THEIR CAREERS IN NEW HARMONY, INDIANA TO RESEARCH, WRITE, AND DEVELOP NEW SCRIPTS IN AN ENVIRONMENT INTENTIONALLY DESIGNED TO FOSTER CREATIVITY, REFLECTION, AND COMMUNITY. THE COMMUNITY IDENTIFIED AS 68% BIPOC, 60% LGBTQ+, 80% FEMALE OR TRANS/GENDER NON-CONFORMING, AND 4% PARENT ARTISTS. THE 2025 RESIDENCY ALSO INCLUDED TWO PRODUCTIONS IN RESIDENCE, FOCUSED ON PLAYS ALREADY SLATED FOR PRODUCTION BY PARTNER THEATRES. ONE OF THESE PROJECTS, THE WATERFALL BY PHANSIA PHAREL, DEVELOPED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THROWN STONE PRODUCTIONS IN CONNECTICUT, EXPLORES THE TENSIONS BETWEEN A HAITIAN-AMERICAN MOTHER AND DAUGHTER NAVIGATING GENERATIONAL EXPECTATIONS, CARE, AND CULTURAL IDENTITY. THE WATERFALL WILL RECEIVE A WORLD PREMIERE PRODUCTION OFF-BROADWAY IN 2026, IN A CO-PRODUCTION BETWEEN THROWN STONE PRODUCTIONS AND WP THEATRE. NHP ALSO SUPPORTED THE DEVELOPMENT OF EMMY-NOMINATED MICHAEL SHAYAN'S NEW PLAY FOR MY NEXT TRICK. BY SUPPORTING WORKS LIKE THESE, THE NEW HARMONY PROJECT NOT ONLY HELPS PLAYWRIGHTS DEEPEN THEIR PRACTICE, BUT ALSO CONTRIBUTES TO THE NATIONAL PIPELINE OF NEW PLAYS THAT REFLECT THE FULL SPECTRUM OF LIVED EXPERIENCE. THE RESIDENCY BLENDS DRAMATURGICAL MEETINGS, COMMUNITY SALONS, AND BOTH FORMAL AND INFORMAL GATHERINGS TO SUPPORT THE FULL SPECTRUM OF THE ARTISTIC PROCESS. WE ALSO PROVIDE ONSITE WELLNESS SUPPORT THROUGH OUR COMMUNITY CARE CONSULTANT AND OFFER INTENTIONAL ACCOMMODATIONS FOR PARENT ARTISTS AND CAREGIVERS, INCLUDING COVERING ADDITIONAL COSTS, SO THAT ALL PARTICIPANTS CAN ENGAGE FULLY IN THEIR ARTISTIC PRACTICE.
  2. $223,604 spent. PLAYFEST INDY (PFI) IS A WEEKLONG CELEBRATION OF NEW PLAY DEVELOPMENT IN INDIANAPOLIS, COLLABORATING WITH LOCAL PROFESSIONAL THEATRES TO OFFER AUDIENCES A BEHIND-THE-SCENES PEEK AT HOW NEW PLAYS ARE DEVELOPED. IN 2024, THE INAUGURAL YEAR, PFI EMPLOYED 82 ARTISTS AND PRESENTED NEW WORKS TO NEARLY 200 AUDIENCE MEMBERS OVER 7 DAYS FOR TOTAL OF 4,592 PROGRAM HOURS. THE FESTIVAL DEVELOPED THE WORK OF 8 PLAYWRIGHTS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH 8 INDIANAPOLIS-BASED THEATRE COMPANIES. AS A RESULT OF THIS FESTIVAL, LUCY THURBER, ONE OF THE 8 WRITERS IS CREATING A NEW PLAY FOR AN INDIANAPOLIS COMPANY. AND KEIKO GREEN'S WAD, WORKSHOPPED IN THIS FESTIVAL, IS RECEIVING A WORLD PREMEIRE PRODUCTION IN INDIANAPOLIS IN SEPTEMBER, 2025.
  3. $3,332 spent. NHP'S ALUMNI OFFERINGS CONNECT ALUMNI WRITERS WITH EACH OTHER VIA NHP ALUMNI NEWSLETTER (LAUNCHED IN 2023) PROVIDING THE COMMUNITY WITH RELEVANT INTERVIEWS, ALUMNI EVENTS, EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES, AND INDUSTRY UPDATES. WE CONTINUED THE DIGITAL DINNER PROGRAM WHICH BROUGHT ALUMNI WRITERS TOGETHER THROUGHOUT THE YEAR FOR INFORMAL CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THE FIELD. IN 2025, WE LAUNCHED THE DRAMATURGY FEEDBACK PROGRAM WHICH PROVIDED UNDERWRITING FOR 1:1 MEETINGS BETWEEN 20 ALUMNI PLAYWRIGHTS AND PROFESSIONAL FREELANCE DRAMATURGS WHO COULD SHARE ESSENTIAL RESPONSES TO WORKS IN PROGRESS.

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 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 1988.

    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.