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Penumbra Theatre Company Inc

EIN 41-1563764 · Saint Paul, MN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood80 out of 100GovernanceStrong93 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

PENUMBRA THEATRE COMPANY CREATES PROFESSIONAL PRODUCTIONS THAT ARE ARTISTICALLY EXCELLENT, THOUGHT PROVOKING, RELEVANT AND THAT ILLUMINATE THE HUMAN CONDITION THROUGH THE PRISM OF THE AFRICAN AMERICAN EXPERIENCE. TODAY, PENUMBRA IS EVOLVING INTO A CENTER FOR RACIAL HEALING. THE PENUMBRA OF THE FUTURE IS A DYNAMIC PERFORMING ARTS, RETREAT, AND LEARNING CENTER DEVELOPING NEW WORK, IDEAS, AND SUSTAINABLE STRATEGIES FOR SOCIAL CHANGE. BUILDING UPON ITS HISTORY, PENUMBRA WILL OFFER NEW ARTISTIC PROGRAMS, ROBUST EQUITY TRAINING, WELLNESS SERVICES AND YOUTH ENGAGEMENTS.

Income
$2.0 million
Spending
$3.3 million
Spent on programs
76%
Reserves
21.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 35%
Employees
131
Volunteers
30
Highest pay
$153,487, president

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

Good: 80 out of 100. Higher than 62% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 21.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 62% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    75% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 26 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 16 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. $1.8 million spent. PENUMBRA'S MAINSTAGE SEASON INCLUDED: IN HONOR OF JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT, BLACK NATIVITY, PARADISE BLUE, AND WHEN WE WERE FOUND.
  2. $117,354 spent. PENUMBRA CONTINUED TO OFFER ITS EQUITY TRAINING SERVICES TO CLIENTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY. PENUMBRA'S EQUITY TRAINING COMBINES EXPERT FACILITATION, A POWERFUL EXPLORATION OF RACE IN AMERICA, MONOLOGUES FROM ARTISTS, AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR PARTICIPANTS TO USE THEATRE AS A WAY TO PROBLEM SOLVE AND MODEL. PENUMBRA ALSO EMBARKED UPON A CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT PROCESS TO EXPAND ITS EQUITY TRAINING OFFERINGS FOR INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS.
  3. $518,798 spent. PENUMBRA BEGAN EARLY R&D TO INFORM PILOT WELLNESS SERVICES TESTED IN FY24. PENUMBRA ALSO CREATED CURRICULUM FOR ITS PRIDE PROGRAM FOR YOUTH AGES 2 TO 22.

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 January 1991.

    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.

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