Madison Ballet Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It owes more than it owns.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
THE MISSION OF MADISON BALLET IS TO PROMOTE APPRECIATION OF AND ACCESS TO BALLET BY PROVIDING TRAINING AND PERFORMING OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH PROFESSIONALLY PRODUCED PRODUCTIONS AND EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVES. THIS IS ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH 3 PILLARS OF COMPANY/PERFORMANCES, THE SCHOOL OF MADISON BALLET, AND OUTREACH.
- Income
- $1.4 million
- Spending
- $1.5 million
- Spent on programs
- 71%
- Reserves
- -3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 78%
- Employees
- 45
- Volunteers
- 117
- Highest pay
- $100,840, interm executive director
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
Weak: 34 out of 100. Higher than 6% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
0 of 20It owes 112% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 8% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 6% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1571% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 12 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
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 258 of 8 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
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
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 (3)
- $671,157 spent. COMPANY/PERFORMANCES - YOUNG DANCERS AND PROFESSIONALS ALIKE GAIN INVALUABLE EXPERIENCES THROUGH MADISON BALLET'S CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED PERFORMANCES. FROM THE BELOVED TRADITION OF "THE NUTCRACKER" TO THE STUNNING INNOVATION OF CONTEMPORARY WORKS, THERE IS SOMETHING TO INSPIRE AND DELIGHT EVERY AUDIENCE.
- $115,122 spent. SCHOOL OF MADISON BALLET - ONE OF THE MOST HIGHLY RESPECTED AND AFFORDABLE DANCE SCHOOLS IN THE MIDWEST, SCHOOL OF MADISON BALLET CLASSES RANGE FROM EARLY CHILDHOOD TO AUDLT AND RECREATIONAL TO PRE-PROFESSIONAL. GAINING THE CONFIDENCE, DISCIPLINE, AND FUNDAMENTAL LIFE SKILLS INHERET IN THE STUDY OF CLASSICAL BALLET, SMB PROVIDES UNPRECEDENTED OPPORTUNITY TO DANCES IN ALL STAGES OF LIFE AND CAREER.
- $274,968 spent. OUTREACH - MADISON BALLET USES THE POWER OF DANCE TO DEVELOP A STRONGER, MORE EMPOWERED MADISON, THROUGH FLUID, APPROACHABLE, AND RELEVANT EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR OUR COMMUNITY AND ITS ORGANIZATIONS. OUTREACH PROGRAMS ARE TARGETED TO BRIDGE GAPS IN ACCESS TO HIGH-QUALITY ARTS EDUCATION, UNITING A DIVERSE POPULATION THROUGH THE ARTS.
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? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
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 December 1983.
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.