Brick Theater Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Production of original theater at its Brooklyn, NY space.
- Income
- $588,455
- Spending
- $513,212
- Spent on programs
- 72%
- Reserves
- -1.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 31%
- Employees
- 29
- Volunteers
- 2
- Highest pay
- $22,634, artistic dir.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 47 out of 100. Higher than 16% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
2 of 20It owes 76% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 13% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 2% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1572% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 21 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Fair: 67 out of 100. Higher than 43% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2511 of 12 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
Independent check of accounts
12 of 15Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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)
- $367,568 spent. In FY24, The Brick Theater, Inc. continued to fulfill its mission as a not-for-profit arts organization dedicated to developing and presenting innovative work by emerging artists and career experimenters in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Through a wide-ranging slate of multidisciplinary programmingincluding theater, dance, video, virtual reality, and mixed media performanceThe Brick remained a vital platform for boundary-pushing artistic expression in New York City.During the fiscal year, The Brick presented approximately 250300 live performances and exhibitions across its two venues: The Brick Theatre (74-seat black box) and Brick Aux (30-capacity flexible performance, rehearsal, and community space). These programs served an audience of over 10,000 individuals from across all five boroughs, reflecting the organizations ongoing commitment to accessibility through low-cost and sliding-scale ticketing (average ticket price of $20).A cornerstone of FY24 programming was the continued expansion of artist services, particularly through subsidized rehearsal space at Brick Aux, supported by the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA). The organization provided approximately 1,200 hours of rehearsal space at a subsidized rate of $10/hour, serving an estimated 750 artists. This resource was made available on a first-come, first-served basis during weekday hours, significantly reducing financial barriers for artists developing new work.The Bricks programming in FY24 reflected a deeply diverse and inclusive artistic community. Lead artists represented a broad spectrum of identities: 58% identified as queer and 42% as straight; 35% male, 44% female, and 19% trans/nonbinary. Racial and ethnic representation included 20% Black, 35% white, 18% Latinx, 15% AAPI, 6% Middle Eastern, and 4% Native American artists. Participating artists ranged in age from their 20s through their 70s, underscoring the organizations intergenerational reach.In response to rising production costs and the continued loss of independent performance venues in New York City, The Brick sustained its commitment to equitable access by offering performance space at no cost through a box office split model. With comparable venue rentals in NYC averaging approximately $4,000 per week, this model remains essential to enabling artists to produce ambitious work without prohibitive financial burden.Now in its third decade, The Brick continues to be recognized as a leading Off-Off Broadway venue and an essential incubator for innovative performance. Its longstanding support of emerging artists and dedication to affordability, experimentation, and inclusion ensures its ongoing impact within New York Citys cultural landscape.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 December 2024.
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 February 2004.
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.