Palette Masque and Lyre
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The purposes for which the corporation is organized are: to promote the fine arts by producing plays, art exhibits, music concerts, musical comedies and instructing the same. PM&L, Inc. does not discriminate against any prospective member or participant because of his or her race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, order of protection status, marital status, physical or mental disability, military status, sexual orientation, pregnancy, or unfavorable discharge from military service.
- Income
- $329,616
- Spending
- $289,980
- Spent on programs
- 63%
- Reserves
- 2.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 88%
- Employees
- 19
- Volunteers
- 250
- Highest pay
- $45,010, managing director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 64 out of 100. Higher than 33% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 2.9 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 17% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 12% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 42% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1563% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Weak: 26 out of 100. Higher than 4% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
5 of 250 of 8 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no 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
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 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 (2)
- $141,916 spent. Season 62 Productions: Seven mainstage shows were produced in Season 62 including HELLO DOLLY!; OUT OF SIGHT, OUT OF MURDER; ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW; A CHRISTMAS CAROL; SHE LOVES ME; MARJORIE PRIME; HAIRSPRAY. 64 total performances were completed of these seven shows attended by 6900 patrons. In addition, thirteen special events were held in the second stage area including standup comedy; improvisation; cabaret; small cast productions. This Program Service expense and revenue includes not only the performances themselves but also program advertising sales and concession sales associated with those performances.
- $39,856 spent. Children's Stagestruck Theatre Workshop: During Season 62, PML again expanded the offered children's theatre workshops, opening up to various age groups and timeframes. The experience includes education on acting, singing, dancing, set construction and general performance. The workshops concluded with several performances of WIZARD OF OZ; ADDAMS FAMILY; SHREK THE MUSICAL; RAPUNZEL. Revenues are generated by workshop fees along with performance ticket sales at a modest $10. The program included 204 workshop participants that performed 26 events with 3016 patrons attending. This program area revenue includes ticket sales for the performances, but also enrollment fees for the children's workshops.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending August 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since September 1987.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.