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Grand Rapids Civic Theatre Inc

EIN 38-1398828 · Grand Rapids, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak39 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

GRAND RAPIDS CIVIC THEATRE AND SCHOOL OF THEATRE ARTS' MISSION IS TO INSPIRE CREATIVITY AND PERSONAL GROWTH, ILLUMINATE OUR COMMON HUMANITY, AND IGNITE CONNECTION ACROSS OUR COMMUNITY THROUGH THE POWER OF THEATRE ARTS.

Income
$2.4 million
Spending
$3.3 million
Spent on programs
63%
Reserves
-9.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 59%
Employees
84
Volunteers
482
Highest pay
$101,904, outgoing exe

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

Weak: 39 out of 100. Higher than 10% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 21% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 38% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    62% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 31 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    16 of 16 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

    10 of 10

    Gave 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. $1.3 million spent. ADULT COMMUNITY THEATRE: GRAND RAPIDS CIVIC THEATRE PRESENTS SEVEN THEATRICAL PRODUCTIONS ANNUALLY, FEATURING A DIVERSE MIX OF MAINSTAGE PRODUCTIONS AND THEATRE FOR YOUNG AUDIENCES PERFORMANCES. RECENT PRODUCTIONS HAVE INCLUDED THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, 39 STEPS, AND THE COLOR PURPLE. IN ADDITION TO THESE PERFORMANCES, CIVIC THEATRE IS COMMITTED TO ACCESSIBILITY AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT THROUGH INITIATIVES SUCH AS LOW SENSORY PERFORMANCES, PICK YOUR PRICE WEDNESDAYS AND RELAXED ENVIRONMENT PERFORMANCES. THE THEATRE ALSO FOSTERS NEW WORKS AND EMERGING ARTISTS THROUGH PERFORMANCE BLOCK AND TEN FOR ALL, CIVIC'S ANNUAL PLAYWRITING FESTIVAL.
  2. $786,061 spent. YOUTH AND SOTA: CIVIC THEATRE'S SCHOOL OF THEATRE ARTS IS ONE OF THE PREMIER THEATRE EDUCATION PROGRAMS IN THE MIDWEST, OFFERING A COMPREHENSIVE THEATRE EDUCATION FOR STUDENTS FROM PRE-K THROUGH 12TH GRADE, AS WELL AS ADULTS AND SENIORS. CLASSES ARE DESIGNED TO MEET STUDENTS AT THEIR LEVEL, PROVIDING AGE-APPROPRIATE TRAINING WITH INCREASING DEPTH AS THEY ADVANCE. THE SCHOOL OF THEATRE ARTS HAS EXPERIENCED SIGNIFICANT GROWTH, WITH ENROLLMENT RISING 86% FROM THE PREVIOUS YEAR, REFLECTING THE CONTINUED DEMAND FOR ACCESSIBLE ARTS EDUCATION IN WEST MICHIGAN. SEE SCHEDULE O FOR FULL DESCRIPTION.
  3. LINE 1 - ORGANIZATION'S MISSION CONTINUED: WE ARE DEDICATED TO FOSTERING AN INCLUSIVE AND ENRICHING ENVIRONMENT WHERE INDIVIDUALS OF ALL BACKGROUNDS CAN EXPERIENCE THE TRANSFORMATIVE POWER OF THEATRE. OUR CORE VALUES GUIDE OUR WORK: EXCELLENCE, IN OUR PURSUIT OF THE HIGHEST ARTISTIC AND EDUCATIONAL STANDARDS; INCLUSION, ENSURING ALL FEEL VALUED AND REPRESENTED; COLLABORATION, THROUGH MEANINGFUL PARTNERSHIPS AND SHARED CREATIVITY; INTEGRITY, BY UPHOLDING HONESTY, TRANSPARENCY, AND ETHICS; AND INNOVATION, AS WE CONTINUOUSLY EVOLVE TO BETTER SERVE OUR COMMUNITY. LINE 4B - YOUTH AND SOTA CONTINUED: CIVIC THEATRE IS DEDICATED TO EXPANDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR HISTORICALLY UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES THROUGH INITIATIVES SUCH AS COMMUNITY NIGHTS, LOW SENSORY NIGHTS, AND PARTNERSHIPS WITH HELEN DEVOS CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL. ADDITIONAL EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS INCLUDE SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES, AUDITION AND SPECIALTY WORKSHOPS, A TEACHING APPRENTICE PROGRAM, THE THEATRE ASSISTANT PROGRAM FOR 8TH-12TH GRADERS, AND THE YOUNG ARTIST STUDIO PROGRAM, WHICH OFFERS MENTORSHIP FOR STUDENTS PURSUING A CAREER IN THE PERFORMING ARTS.

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 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 November 6, 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 June 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 February 1946.

    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 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.