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Vangeline Theater Inc

EIN 35-2237400 · Brooklyn, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak37 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Only 49% of its spending went to programs.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

The Vangeline Theater's mission is to educate the public about Butoh dance, promoting an understanding Butoh dance history and its social and cultural significance; to connect Butoh to other art forms and disciplines and to build community through Butoh. Butoh is an avant garde dance which originated in Japan in the 1950s. The company reaches out to the New York community by offering public Butoh workshops and performances through collaborations with international and national Butoh artists, as well as to members of the incarcerated population, via teaching Butoh at correctional facilities in New York ("The Dream a Dream Project" since 2007). This award-winning project continues to contribute to the rehabilitation of New York's incarcerated population.

Income
$136,433
Spending
$140,081
Spent on programs
49%
Reserves
0.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 72%
Employees
0
Volunteers
1
Highest pay
$49,412, artistic director, board member, teacher

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 37 out of 100. Higher than 11% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 18% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    49% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 92% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 6 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

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 (5)
  1. $20,071 spent. Community Butoh classes and Butoh workshops offered to the public: The Vangeline Theater offered 120 Butoh classes in 20245. In total, around 1254 students attended our Butoh classes and workshops in 2025.
  2. $820 spent. The "DREAM A DREAM PROJECT: dance workshop for incarcerated men and women" is a program which reaches to members of the incarcerated population weekly at correctional facilities in New York. The Dance classes have between 8 and 100 participants enrolled and incorporate physical warm ups, relaxation exercises and Butoh dance training. Using simple movements and basic dance training for beginners, this class provides a healthy physical and emotional outlet to participants. No prior dance experience is required. Every few months, the inmates perform in front of a mixed audience of inmates and civilians. A Q&A ensues. The performances are an essential part of the program, and provide the participants with a unique chance to offer something deeply personal in front of strangers. In 2016, this program took place at Edgecombe Correctional Facility, supported, in part, by the New York Department of Cultural Affairs and New York Council on the Arts. Overall, participants reported a new openness towards others, a new ability to bond with each other, an increase in strength and flexibility, and a new positive outlook on life. The class helps them face their imminent release from prison with hope, courage and dignity. This program was recently featured on CNN's Great Big Story with millions of viewers and 165,000 online viewers. Susan Hamaker, a writer for Japanculture-nyc.com who witnessed the 2013 performance wrote: "A Triumph" "In eight short weeks Vangeline Theater's Dream a Dream Project transformed those three men who performed. In thirty short minutes the fruits of her labor transformed an entire audience."
  3. $17,964 spent. Butoh performances offered to the public. In 2025, the Vangeline Theater offered 15 butoh performances to the public. Performances featured professional Butoh dancers. A total of 4000 viewers watched our online and in-person performances.
  4. $14,902 spent. The Vangeline Theater toured in the USA and in several countries around the world in 2025, offering performances and workshops.
  5. $15,000 spent. The Vangeline Theater offered its dance studio for rentals to the New York Artitsic Community in 2025, giving a home to hundreds of artists for their own rehearsals.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 December 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 May 2007.

    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.