Ballet Chicago Company
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It owes more than it owns.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
Ballet Chicago is a professional track school of ballet that creates exceptional dancers. It makes classical ballet training accessible to all. Its founders Daniel Duell and Patricia Blair carry on George Balanchines legacy by providing quality training based on his technique. It brings classical ballet to Chicago through their performances.
- Income
- $1.7 million
- Spending
- $1.3 million
- Spent on programs
- 72%
- Reserves
- -2.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 60%
- Employees
- 39
- Highest pay
- $84,985, vice president
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
Weak: 45 out of 100.
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
0 of 20It owes 104% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 22% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 12% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1572% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 17 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
Strong: 95 out of 100.
Independent board
25 of 257 of 8 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a 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
15 of 15Its accounts were audited 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)
- $769,319 spent. Ballet School offering classical ballet lessons for all ages Ballet Chicago is an internationally recognized professional track school of ballet that creates exceptional dancers and people. Founded by Daniel Duell, one of the finest ballet artistic directors, Ballet Chicago believes every aspiring artist deserves the opportunity to explore his or her fullest potential, and strives to make classical ballet training accessible to all. Providing one of the highest caliber curriculums in the nation, Ballet Chicago is dedicated to rigorous technical training in a culture that fosters personal growth. By teaching impeccable technique as well as fundamental life skills, their students go on to find success in dance and life. The school technique is based on the ballet technique established by George Balanchine and offers comprehensive training for the serious student. Scholarships are available, including a male scholarship program. The Ballet Chicago Studio Company, the performing element of the school presents masterpiece repertoire in theatres throughout metropolitan chicago.
- $192,330 spent. Ballet Performances To develop and perform modern ballets in order to educate thepublic. The community outreach educational program services a broad range of diverse groups within metropolitan chicago. Audiences range in age from pre-school children to senior citizens and hail from the inner-city neighborhoods of chicago to the outlying suburbs. each year, approximately 10,000 people in metropolitan chicago experience our programs and performance offerings which include in-school residences, lecture demonstrations, full-scale public performances, and specially designed childrens programs.
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 May 1988.
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.