The Actors Gymnasium Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- Raising each dollar of donations cost 251 cents.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
A CIRCUS AND PERFORMING ARTS TRAINING CENTER DEDICATED TO CREATING EXCITING THEATER AND DEVELOPING PHYSICAL THEATRE ARTISTS. THE ACTORS GYMNASIUM IS A THINKANDDO TANK DEDICATED TO BRINGING A NEW PHYSICALITY TO THE AMERICAN THEATER, AND ENCOURAGING THEATRICAL EXPLORATION.
- Income
- $780,276
- Spending
- $1.0 million
- Spent on programs
- 76%
- Reserves
- 2.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 96%
- Employees
- 48
- Volunteers
- 10
- Highest pay
- $77,230, executive dir.
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: 15 out of 100. Higher than 1% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 2.8 months of spending.
Debt
5 of 20It owes 67% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 33% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 26% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 1576% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 251 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: 93 out of 100. Higher than 90% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 256 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
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
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
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 (1)
- $788,708 spent. RECREATIONAL COURSES: THE ACTORS GYMNASIUM OFFERS RECREATIONAL CIRCUS AND PERFORMING ARTS CLASSES FOR YOUTH AND ADULTS OF ALL SKILL LEVELS. THESE COURSES PROMOTE PHYSICAL FITNESS, CREATIVITY, AND CONFIDENCE THROUGH AERIAL ARTS, ACROBATICS, JUGGLING, AND PHYSICAL THEATER.PROFESSIONAL COURSES: PROFESSIONAL TRAINING PROGRAMS PROVIDE ADVANCED INSTRUCTION FOR ASPIRING AND WORKING CIRCUS ARTISTS AND PERFORMERS. THESE COURSES DEVELOP HIGH-LEVEL SKILLS IN CIRCUS DISCIPLINES, PREPARING PARTICIPANTS FOR PROFESSIONAL OPPORTUNITIES IN PERFORMANCE, TEACHING, AND RELATED FIELDS.COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS: THE ACTORS GYMNASIUM EXPANDS ACCESS TO CIRCUS ARTS THROUGH OUTREACH PROGRAMS, SCHOOL RESIDENCIES, AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS, ENSURING DIVERSE AUDIENCES CAN EXPERIENCE THE MAGIC OF PHYSICAL THEATER. IN ADDITION TO THESE INITIATIVES, THE ACTORS GYMNASIUM REPRESENTS AND SUPPORTS CIRCUS PERFORMERS WHO BRING DYNAMIC, HIGH-QUALITY PERFORMANCES TO MAJOR EVENTS ACROSS CHICAGOLAND. FROM FESTIVALS AND CORPORATE GATHERINGS TO THEATER PRODUCTIONS AND CULTURAL CELEBRATIONS, THESE ARTISTS SHOWCASE THE ARTISTRY AND ATHLETICISM OF THE CIRCUS, BROADENING THE REACH AND IMPACT OF THE ORGANIZATION'S WORK.
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 November 6, 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 November 1996.
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 November 4, 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.