Sunset Playhouse Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Within an environment of collaboration and creativity, the Sunset Playhouse promotes the arts though the presentation of theatrical productions and educational programs. Outstanding outreach programs take the arts to those who lack access to inspiring and educational theater.
- Income
- $1.4 million
- Spending
- $1.2 million
- Spent on programs
- 84%
- Reserves
- 9.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 79%
- Employees
- 44
- Volunteers
- 600
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
Good: 89 out of 100. Higher than 76% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 9.3 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 24% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 11% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 8% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1584% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 11 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
Fair: 68 out of 100. Higher than 17% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2510 of 10 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no 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.
Independent check of accounts
0 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 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 (2)
- $851,741 spent. Theatrical Productions Sunset Playhouse sets the standard for community theater in Wisconsin by producing high quality productions year round, including comedies, dramas, and musicals. It is here that aspiring performers can develop their craft on challenging roles and gain the critical experience required to pursue further education in the arts. These roles also include critical off-stage assignments for individuals interested in production, costume design, and stagecraft. Our three main series bring a combined audience of over 36,000 patrons to enjoy live performing arts productions. Over the course of nearly six decades, volunteer-driven Sunset Playhouse has touched more than 4,000,000 lives, inspiring and sharing the love of theater.
- $177,654 spent. School for the Arts Sunset provides an education program aimed at entertaining and inspiring children. Our winning childrens theater series called Bug in a Rug, is an intereacitve theatre experience for the whole family targeted for children ages 2-8. The Childrens theater offered more than 75 performances in traveling shows throughout Milwaukee and Waukesha counties. In addition, through the Actletes program, youth learn valuable and important life skills, like team building, confidence, and creative thinking. Sunset offers a wide range of classes, camps and performance opportunities for children of all ages.
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 September 7, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Worth knowing.
Status was revoked on May 15, 2015 for not filing returns for three years. The IRS now lists it as tax-exempt again.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since June 1955.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.