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Winnetka Theater Inc

EIN 36-3882396 · Des Plaines, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak49 out of 100GovernanceNot ratedThe short tax form does not cover thisImpact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Big Noise Theatre promotes the arts in and around the Des Plaines area by providing an opportunity for all individuals to participate in, learn from, and enjoy the performing arts. We seek to expand and surpass the expectations of our performers, collaborators, and audiences. BNT continues to embrace moral responsibility by using our platform to expand social awareness.

Income
$179,042
Spending
$197,218
Reserves
1.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 92%

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

Financial health

Weak: 49 out of 100. Higher than 18% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 10% of income.

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

Governance

This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending May 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 (3)
  1. $38,200 spent. CHILDREN'S THEATER PROGRAMMING - LITTLE NOISE THEATRE, OUR CHILDRENS THEATER PROGRAM, WHERE CHILDREN IN GRADES 1-8 LEARN ALL ABOUT THEATER FROM INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS THEN PERFORM A SHOW FOR THEIR FRIENDS AND FAMILY. THIS YEAR WE SPLIT THEM INTO TWO GROUPS, GRADES 1-4 and GRADES 4-8. THE OLDER GROUP PUT ON THE MUSICAL ELF IN NOVEMBER OF 2024. IN FEBRUARY OF 2025 101 DALMATIONS WAS PERFORMED BY THE GROUP OF CHILDREN IN GRADES 1-4. IN SPRING OF 2025, THE 4-8th GRADE STUDENTS PERFORMED THE MUSICAL WILLY WONKA.
  2. $102,852 spent. MAINSTAGE PROGRAMMING: IN FISCAL YEAR 2025, WE COMPLETED TWO PRODUCTIONS: FOOTLOOSE THE MUSICAL WAS PRODUCED ON OUR MAINSTAGE IN THE FALL SLOT OF 2024. THE SPRING 2025 MUSICAL WAS DISASTER! THE MUSICAL.
  3. $45,229 spent. ESPECIALLY FOR KIDS PROGRAMMING: WE OFFER FOUR 1-HOUR MUSICAL SHOWS PER WEEKEND FOR FOUR WEEKENDS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, AND BRING IN SCHOOL GROUPS ON TWO FRIDAY MORNINGS FOR AREA SCHOOLS. WINTER OF 2025, WE PRODUCED OUR ESPECIALLY FOR KIDS PRODUCTION OF DONT LET THE PIGEON DRIVE THE BUS.

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending May 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 May 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 August 1996.

    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.