Shakespeares Associates Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
WE PRODUCE AND SUPPORT THEATRICAL EVENTS THAT EXPLORE AND CELEBRATE THE HUMAN SPIRIT WITH A COMPANY THAT IS ACCESSIBLE AND INTEGRATED WITH THE TRI-VALLEY AND GREATER SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA. WE OFFER MULTIPLE CULTURAL ACTIVITIES TO THE PUBLIC AND OFFER EDUCATIONAL CLASSES RELATED TO THEATER AND LITERACY THROUGH PUBLIC LIBRARIES AND SCHOOLS IN THE TRI-VALLEY AREA. WE ARE CURRENTLY ENGAGED IN AN EXPANSION OF OUR STAFF, GROWTH OF OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS TO PROVIDE SPECIFIC EXPERTISE, AND DISCUSSIONS WITH THE CITY OF LIVERMORE AND OTHER LOCAL NON-PROFITS REGARDING THE CONSTRUCTION OF A REGIONAL MULTI-USE FACILITY FOR PERFORMING ARTS AS PART OF LIVERMORE'S DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT. WE ARE MEMBERS OF THE LIVERMORE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, DANVILLE AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, LIVERMORE DOWNTOWN, VISIT TRI-VALLEY, INNOVATION TRI-VALLEY, THEATRE BAY AREA, THEATRE COMMUNICATIONS GROUP, AND SHAKESPEARE THEATRE ASSOCIATION.
- Income
- $467,080
- Spending
- $573,525
- Spent on programs
- 88%
- Reserves
- 31.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 46%
- Employees
- 48
- Volunteers
- 145
- Highest pay
- $93,750, president
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 41% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 31.4 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 7% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 23% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 26% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1588% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 86 out of 100. Higher than 73% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2513 of 13 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
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 September 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 (2)
- $473,131 spent. PERFORMANCEDURING THE YEAR SPARC PRODUCED FULLY-STAGED PRODUCTIONS OF SHAKESPEARE'S SIR JOHN FALSTAFF AND THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR BOTH OUTDOORS AT DARCIE KENT VINEYARDS IN LIVERMORE, AND INDOORS AT THE VILLAGE THEATRE IN DANVILLE DURING THE SUMMER OF 2025. THE PRODUCTIONS INCLUDE THE HIRING OF PROFESSIONAL ARTISTS AND THE USE OF MANY VOLUNTEERS. THE COMPANY ALSO COMMISSIONS NEW WORK FOR THE SCIENCE@PLAY READING SERIES, BRINGING THE PUBLIC INTO THE PLAYWRITING DEVELOPMENT PROCESSS, ENLISTING LOCAL SCIENTISTS FOR INPUT ON THE NEW WORK.
- $29,212 spent. EDUCATIONSHAKESPEARE'S ASSOCIATES OFFERS VARIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAMS FOR THE YOUTH OF LIVERMORE VALLEY INCLUDING AN IN-SCHOOL PROGRAM IN ALL 2ND GRADE CLASSROOMS IN THE LIVERMORE VALLEY JOINT UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT. APPROXIMATELY 1,000 SECOND GRADERS PARTICIPATED IN THE "SO WISE SO YOUNG" PROGRAM, AND 100 ADDITIONAL STUDENTS IN AFTER-SCHOOL AND SUMMER CAMP PROGRAMS AT SPARC STUDIO. NEW ADULT IMPROV CLASSES WERE ALSO LAUNCHED.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 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 October 13, 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 September 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 April 2007.
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 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.