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Florentine Opera Co Inc

EIN 39-1098132 · Milwaukee, WI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE FLORENTINE OPERA COMPANY IS DRIVEN TO PRODUCE THE FULL RANGE OF OPERATIC WORKS REFLECTING THE HIGHEST MUSICAL AND THEATRICAL STANDARDS, AND TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS THAT FOSTER THE CURRENT AND NEXT GENERATION OF OPERA AUDIENCES AND PRACTITIONERS.

Income
$4.2 million
Spending
$3.5 million
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
12.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 50%
Employees
44
Volunteers
37
Highest pay
$158,659, general director & ceo

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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 89% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 12.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 6% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 15% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 47% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 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

    17 of 17 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 (2)
  1. $2.7 million spent. MAINSTAGE OPERA ACHIEVEMENTS: ARTISTIC EXCELLENCE: THE FLORENTINE OPERA PRESENTS HIGH-QUALITY PRODUCTIONS, OFTEN FEATURING RENOWNED ARTISTS AND INNOVATIVE STAGING, WHICH ELEVATES THE CULTURAL LANDSCAPE OF THE COMMUNITY. DIVERSE REPERTOIRE: THE PROGRAM INCLUDES A MIX OF CLASSIC AND CONTEMPORARY OPERAS, APPEALING TO A WIDE AUDIENCE AND PROMOTING THE ART FORM. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: THROUGH OUTREACH INITIATIVES, THE MAINSTAGE PRODUCTIONS ENGAGE DIVERSE COMMUNITY GROUPS, FOSTERING A LOVE FOR OPERA AMONG NEW AUDIENCES. THE ORGANIZATION ALLOCATES A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF ITS BUDGET TO MAINSTAGE PRODUCTIONS, RECEIVING GRANTS FROM LOCAL ARTS COUNCILS AND PRIVATE FOUNDATIONS. NO FOREIGN GRANTS ARE INCLUDED IN THIS PROGRAM.ARTISTIC DEVELOPMENT ACHIEVEMENTS:EMERGING ARTIST PROGRAMS: THE FLORENTINE OPERA SUPPORTS EMERGING ARTISTS THROUGH THE BAUMGARTNER STUDIO ARTIST PROGRAM AND SUMMER STUDIO ENSEMBLE, PROVIDING THEM WITH ESSENTIAL PERFORMANCE EXPERIENCE AND PROFESSIONAL TRAINING.THIS PROGRAM RECEIVES FUNDING THROUGH GRANTS SPECIFICALLY AIMED AT ARTIST DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING INITIATIVES. NO FOREIGN GRANTS ARE INCLUDED IN THIS CATEGORY.EACH OF THESE PROGRAMS PLAYS A VITAL ROLE IN FULFILLING THE FLORENTINE OPERA'S MISSION, CONTRIBUTING TO THE ARTS COMMUNITY, AND PROMOTING THE GROWTH OF OPERA. THE ORGANIZATION REPORTS RELEVANT FINANCIAL INFORMATION AS REQUIRED BY IRS REGULATIONS, ENSURING TRANSPARENCY IN ITS OPERATIONS.
  2. $305,530 spent. THE FLORENTINE OPERA COMPANY'S PROGRAMS REACH A BROAD SPECTRUM OF INDIVIDUALS THROUGHOUT METRO MILWAUKEE, SOUTHEASTERN WISCONSIN, AND BEYOND. LAST YEAR, OUR EDUCATIONAL TOUR WAS OFFERED IN A DIGITAL FORMAT AN REACHED OVER 70,000 HOUSEHOLDS. THE COMPANY PROVIDES A VITAL ADDITION TO LOCAL ARTS EDUCATION--BOTH IN THE CLASSROOM AND ON THE STAGE. THE FLORENTINE OPERA COMPANY'S EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING EDUCATORS WITH OPPORTUNITIES TO UTILIZE OPERA TO MEET EDUCATIONAL STANDARDS, AS WELL AS TO ENHANCE LEARNING FOR ALL STUDENTS. EDUCATION PROGRAMS ACHIEVEMENTS:YOUTH ENGAGEMENT: THE EDUCATION PROGRAMS OFFER WORKSHOPS, MASTERCLASSES, AND PERFORMANCES FOR ALMOST 10,000 WISCONSIN STUDENTS, ENHANCING THEIR UNDERSTANDING AND APPRECIATION OF OPERA AND THE PERFORMING ARTS.PARTNERSHIPS WITH SCHOOLS: COLLABORATIONS WITH LOCAL SCHOOLS PROVIDE STUDENTS WITH OPPORTUNITIES TO PARTICIPATE IN OPERATIC PRODUCTIONS, FOSTERING ARTISTIC SKILLS AND TEAMWORK.SCHOOL TOUR: THE FLORENTINE OPERA TAKES A REDUCED OPERA INTO LOCAL SCHOOLS, BRINGING OPERA LIVE TO 8,701 STUDENTS THROUGH 37 PERFORMANCES AND 26 RESIDENCY VISITS AT 66 SCHOOLS. THE VIDEO IS SHARED WITH ALL OF MPS (70,000 STUDENTS, 156 SCHOOLS).FUNDING FROM EDUCATIONAL GRANTS AND PARTNERSHIPS SUPPORTS THESE INITIATIVES, WITH ALLOCATIONS DIRECTED TOWARDS PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT. THERE ARE NO FOREIGN GRANTS REPORTED IN THIS AREA.

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 October 13, 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 September 1968.

    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 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.