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Lyric Opera of Chicago

EIN 36-6008929 · Chicago, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood81 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

We believe in the life-changing, transformational, revelatory power of great art and opera. Lyric Opera of Chicago exists to provide a broad, deep, and relevant cultural service to the Chicago region and the nation, and to advance the development of the art form of opera by: - Producing and performing consistently thrilling, world-class opera, with a balanced repertoire that encompasses core classics, lesser-known masterpieces, and new works. - Creating a diverse, innovative, wide-ranging program of community engagement and education activities that reaches the widest possible public. - Developing exceptional emerging operatic talent.

Income
$80.8 million
Spending
$76.8 million
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
5.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 57%
Employees
990
Volunteers
756
Highest pay
$1.2 million, general director, president & ceo/until aug 2024

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 81 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 30% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 41% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 11 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 13% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    82 of 84 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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. $58.9 million spent. DURING THE FISCAL YEAR, 40 OPERA PERFORMANCES AND 8 CONCERT/RECITAL PERFORMANCES WERE PERFORMED BY LYRIC OPERA OF CHICAGO. THESE PERFORMANCES WERE ATTENDED BY APPROXIMATELY 118,269 PEOPLE.
  2. $1.3 million spent. LYRIC UNLIMITED, AN INITIATIVE OF LYRIC OPERA OF CHICAGO, OFFERS A MULTIFACETED PROGRAM OF EXPANDED COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND ARTISTIC INITIATIVES AND INCLUDES LYRIC'S LONGSTANDING EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS. LYRIC SEEKS TO ENRICH THE LIVES OF CHICAGO-AREA CHILDREN AND ADULTS THROUGH HIGH-QUALITY, ACCESSIBLE ARTS EDUCATION, WHICH FOCUSES ON CULTIVATING A LIFELONG APPRECIATION OF OPERA AND CREATING AUDIENCES FOR THE FUTURE. LYRIC'S SCHOOL PROGRAMS EMBRACE ARTS EDUCATION AS A CORE SUBJECT AND PROMOTE CROSS-CURRICULAR INTEGRATION WHILE FULFILLING STATE LEARNING STANDARDS. COMMUNITY PROGRAMS PROVIDE EDUCATION ON A VARIETY OF LEVELS, FROM NOVICE TO EXPERT, WHICH HEIGHTEN THE OPERA-GOING EXPERIENCE. 44 YOUTH AND ADULT PROGRAMS WERE HELD THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. ATTENDANCE FOR THESE EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES TOTALED APPROXIMATELY 28,219. PLEASE NOTE, AS REQUIRED BY THE INSTRUCTIONS, THE REVENUE DISCLOSED HERE DOES NOT INCLUDE CONTRIBUTED REVENUE FOR THESE PROGRAMS.
  3. $545,612 spent. DURING THE FISCAL YEAR, THERE WERE 9 PRESENTATIONS AND EVENTS HELD IN THE FACILITY WITH TOTAL ATTENDANCE OF APPROXIMATELY 5,325 PEOPLE. ADDITIONALLY, DINING SPACE WAS USED BY BUILDING MANAGEMENT.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since July 1957.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.