Katha Dance Theatre
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The mission of Katha Dance Theatre (KDT) is to preserve Kathak Dance Culture of Northern India through the development of innovative and collaborative works. KDT strives to make Kathak Dance acceessible through an uncompromising commitment to educational programs, performances and outreach efforts, thus pushing the dance form's boundaries while establishing a diverse cultural community to embraces all.
- Income
- $451,177
- Spending
- $347,824
- Spent on programs
- 70%
- Reserves
- 15.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 41%
- Employees
- 3
- Volunteers
- 100
- Highest pay
- $91,850, artistic 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
Strong: 100 out of 100.
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 15.9 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 23% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 7% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1570% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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
Fair: 56 out of 100.
Independent board
25 of 256 of 6 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
10 of 10Gave 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 (4)
- $95,346 spent. School of Kathak Dance: Native to North India, Kathak originated in 400 BC as a storytelling device to portray the epic tales of Hindu scripture, Mahabharata and Ramayana. Poetry was combined with rhythmic movement to aid in the worshipdul storytelling. During the medieval period, Kathak became an established part of court culture, performed under the patronage of India's Persian kings and Muslim mughals. This sealed Kathak's transition from colloquial entertainment to classical art form. Thus, Kathak developed into a strong dance tradition that incorporates elements of both Hindu and Muslim cultures. At KDT school, we follow an academic calendar and conduct weekly curriculum-based Kathak dance training to over 102 aspiring dancers ages 6 and above in 2 semesters (Fall and Spring) plus a Summer session. In addition, we offer a Summer intensive for reinforcing technical aspects of Kathak dance. During the pandemic, we started teaching virtually that brought in students from other states. We continue to keep both options open (in-person and virtual).
- $111,780 spent. Panchatantra: In the Fall of 2024, KDT premiered a brand-new production based on the ancient animal fables of the same name. The show took the stage in November at The O'Shaughnessy at St. Catherine University in St. Paul. In elaborate animal masks, dancers portrayed anthropomorphic creatures enacting stories with morals meant to impart life lessons to audiences of all ages. The show was set to original music by R&B artist J.D. Steele, bringing in KDT's commitment to cross-cultural collaboration. It also highlighted Kathak's origins as a storytelling art form and its signature emotional expressiveness.
- $17,585 spent. Prakritir Pratisodh - Nature's Revenge in Appleton: KDT premiered a full-length version of this show on tour in Appleton, Wisconsin. Nature's Revenge first premiered as a work-in-progress as part of the Cowles Center's Fall Forward Festival in 2023. The performance took place in April of 2025 at Fox Cities Performing Arts Center. It fleshed out the original concept, embodying climate change through a series of Kathak dance vignettes. In showing what happens when human actions drive the five basic elements of nature (earth, water, fire, air, & space; in Indian philosophy and Ayurveda considered the fundamental building blocks of the universe & human body) out of sync, Nature's Revenge demonstrated how we can work together to bring them back into harmony. This show used Kathak as the foundation upon which to portray a modern concept grounded in social justice, embodying our mission to make Kathak inclusive and relevant to all.
- $17,411 spent. Sadhana - After year long learning Kathak Dance, a yearly performance for the KDT students was held in Hopkins High School, Hopkins, MN. They performed all the dances and techniques Taught by KDT Dance Teachers. Wearing Kathak Costumes, Jewelry and ankle bells, they danced in front of their parents, neighbors and friends with great enthusiasm and joy. 400 were in the audience. Saraswathi Puja and Spring Festivals. Goddess Saraswathi is the goddess of learning, music and dance. KDT students performed in the temple of Hindu Society of Minnesota. They prepared flower garden, painted floor to decorate and performed the puja ritual. At the end, they performed dances meant for goddess Saraswathi and advent of spring. Shakopee School- KDT students were invited by Shakopee School Management to perform in the Fall Festival. Four of KDT students performed what they learned in the KDT School. Kathak Yatra - Eau Claire,WI - Kathak Yatra - The journey of Kathak dance through history. It offered the viewer a glimpse of the evolution of Kathak dance throughout India's historical eras. Starting from the temple period, through the royal courts of the kings and the emperors, to today's proscenium stages! The word Kathak is derived from the Sanskrit word Katha, meaning "a story." Rhythmic footwork, fast pirouettes, and complex movements characterize this graceful spontaneous dance. The form has its origin in the narrative tradition of the village minstrel, the 'Kathakars' , who sang songs of heroic tales and dramatized their lyrics with subtle gestures and expressions. Around the 16th century AD, the art came from the temples to the royal courts, where it acquired secular elements of sophistication, especially in its pure dance passages. It also represented a unique synthesis of both Hindu and Muslim cultures, blessing Kathak with a unique balance of approach that makes it the most natural of all Indian classical dance forms. Time Piece- Collaborative work with Flying Dance who performs Tap Dance. KDT Performers worked with Tap Dance Dancer with Tap Dance Music.
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 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 August 2025.
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 1989.
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.
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