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The History Theatre Inc

EIN 41-1408420 · Saint Paul, MN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak48 out of 100GovernanceStrong93 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

HISTORY THEATRE ENTERTAINS, EDUCATES AND ENGAGES AUDIENCES BY CREATING AND PRODUCING NEW WORKS THAT EXPLORE MINNESOTA'S PAST AND THE DIVERSE AMERICAN EXPERIENCE.

Income
$3.0 million
Spending
$3.0 million
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
1.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 62%
Employees
226
Volunteers
250
Highest pay
$92,719, artistic direct

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: 48 out of 100. Higher than 19% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 65% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 1% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 13 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: 93 out of 100. Higher than 56% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 14 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

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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. $2.4 million spent. FY 25 MAIN STAGE SEASON-HISTORY THEATRE, DEVELOPED AND PRODUCED A SEASON OF FIVE SHOWS INCLUDING "BEHIND THE SUN", "I AM BETTY", "ROOT BEER LADY; "SECRET WARRIORS", AND "WHOA NELLIE". HISTORY THEATRE PRESENTED ITS HIT MUSICAL "GLENSHEEN" FOR ITS 10TH ANNIVERSARY YEAR TIME IN THE SUMMER OF 2025. A TOTAL OF 37,000 AUDIENCE MEMBERS ATTENDED PRODUCTIONS AT OUR DOWNTOWN ST. PAUL THEATER. HISTORY THEATRE CREATES MORE NEW WORK FROM "PAGE TO STAGE" THAN ANY OTHER THEATER IN THE STATE.
  2. EDUCATION - HISTORY THEATRE REACHES UNDERSERVED STUDENTS THROUGH OUR SEATS TO STAGE RESIDENCIES WHICH OCCURRED IN 4 AREA SCHOOLS. CLASSES ARE ALL FOCUSED ON GUIDING PARTICIPANTS THROUGH WRITING AND ACTING EXERCISES FOLLOWED BY A PERFORMANCE COMPONENT TO TELL AND SHARE THE STORIES THAT MAKE UP THEIR PERSONAL HISTORY. HT ALSO SPONSORED 2 RESIDENCIES AT MN INDEPENDENCE COLLEGE AND COMMUNITY SERVING NEURODIVERGENT AND STUDENTS ON THE AUTISM SPECTRUM. WE CONTINUED OUR SUCCESSFUL PROGRAM AT VAIL COMMUNITIES SERVING 47 PARTICIPANTS WORKING WITH A DIAGNOSIS OF SERIOUS PERSISTENT MENTAL ILLNESS.
  3. RAW STAGES NEW WORKS FESTIVAL-ENLISTING THE BEST LOCAL AND NATIONAL WRITERS, RAW STAGES IS A SHOWCASE FOR NEWLY COMMISSIONED THEATER WORK THAT MAY EVENTUALLY BE PRODUCED ON HISTORY THEATRE'S MAIN STAGE. HT PRODUCES MORE NEW WORK BASED ON HISTORY THAN ANY OTHER THEATER IN THE NATION. PLAYS IN THE FESTIVAL INCLUDED "DON'T MISS DORIS HINES", PLAYWRIGHT TYLIE SHIDER; "ROLLICKING: A WINTER CARNIVAL MUSICAL" BY KEITH HOVIS AND RACHEL TEAGLE; AND "HUNGRY LIKE THE WOLF" BY SANDRA STRUTHERS AND "SO HELP ME GOD" BY LESTER MAYER. THE FESTIVAL INCLUDED FREE EVENTS EXPLORING THE COMPLEXITIES OF CREATING NEW PLAYS.

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 October 1983.

    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.