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Paramount Center for the Arts

EIN 41-1809017 · Saint Cloud, MN

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

TO ENGAGE, EDUCATE, ENRICH, AND ENTERTAIN THROUGH INSPIRING ARTS EXPERIENCES. THE CITY-OWNED FACILITY IS MANAGED TO ENSURE USE BY A DIVERSE SET OF PATRONS, ENHANCE ARTISTIC OPPORTUNITY, PROVIDE A CREATIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IN THE ARTS, AND GENERATE A POSITIVE ECONOMIC IMPACT ON DOWNTOWN ST. CLOUD.

Income
$2.3 million
Spending
$2.2 million
Spent on programs
72%
Reserves
32.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 60%
Employees
65
Volunteers
255
Highest pay
$90,388, 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 90% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 32.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 9% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 8% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    72% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 25 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    16 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

    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 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)
  1. $1.1 million spent. PERFORMING ARTS: THE 804 SEAT PARAMOUNT THEATRE IS THE GRAND PERFORMANCE STAGE IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA, ACCOMMODATING 90,000 PATRONS ANNUALLY. PARAMOUNT CENTER FOR THE ARTS (PCA) PROVIDES SCHEDULING, TICKETING, TECHNICAL CREW, MARKETING, AND FRONT-OF-HOUSE SERVICES FOR THE THEATRE. IN ADDITION TO LOCAL PERFORMANCE GROUPS, THE PCA PRESENTS A SEASON OF PROFESSIONAL ENTERTAINMENT ON THE PARAMOUNT STAGE, BRINGING HIGH-QUALITY TOURING ARTISTS TO CENTRAL MINNESOTA. PCA EMPLOYS PROFESSIONALLY TRAINED STAFF TO MANAGE AND PROGRAM THE THEATRE AND VISUAL ARTS STUDIOS. CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES MANAGE AND OPERATE THE INTERNET-BASED TICKETING SYSTEM, THE CONCESSIONS SERVICE, 3 EXHIBITION SPACES, AND GIFT GALLERY OPERATIONS. PCA MANAGES THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES, INCLUDING SUB-LEASING TO OTHER NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, AND THE TECHNICAL SUPPORT FACILITY LOCATED OFFSITE. PCA ALSO PROVIDES OVERSIGHT, MAINTENANCE, AND OPERATION OF THE MECHANICAL SYSTEMS FOR THE CITY-OWNED HISTORIC FACILITY LOCATED IN DOWNTOWN ST. CLOUD.
  2. $376,350 spent. VISUAL ARTS: THE VISUAL ARTS STUDIOS WERE CREATED AND OPENED AS PART OF THE 1998 PARAMOUNT THEATRE RENOVATION. THIS WELL-EQUIPPED FACILITY OFFERS CLASSES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR FOR ALL AGES, IN A VARIETY OF MEDIUMS, AND SUMMER ART CAMPS FOR YOUTH. PCA HAS A PARTICULAR STRENGTH IN CERAMICS AND PROVIDES STUDIO FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT TO THE COMMUNITY, AND WOOD-WORKING AND WOOD-TURNING PROGRAMS. THE FACILITY INCLUDES A RETAIL SALES GALLERY THAT REPRESENTS 60 LOCAL AND REGIONAL ARTISTS, A PROFESSIONAL GALLERY, AND TWO CASUAL GALLERY SPACES FOR ARTISTS TO SHOW. PCA PROVIDES EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR WORKING ARTISTS, IN A TEACHING CAPACITY, AND SALES OPPORTUNITIES FOR ARTWORK ON EXHIBITION. PCA OFFERS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SEMINARS AND WORKSHOPS FOR WORKING ARTISTS AND ART EDUCATORS; RESIDENCIES AND OTHER SERVICES TO K-12 SCHOOLS; PLUS, EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH TO COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS, AND A FULL CATALOG OF ARTS INSTRUCTIONAL CLASSES TO THE PUBLIC. VISUAL ARTS ACCOMMODATES OVER 20,000 CHILDREN AND ADULTS ANNUALLY.
  3. $115,235 spent. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: PCA IS COMMITTED TO CONNECTING LOCAL ARTISTS WITH THE LARGER COMMUNITY TO ENHANCE AND EXPAND ARTS OPPORTUNITIES AND ACCESS IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA. THESE ACTIVITIES INCLUDE WORKSHOPS FOR CLASSROOM AND ARTS TEACHERS, RESIDENCY PROGRAMS ON AND OFF-SITE FOR SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, SENIOR COMMUNITIES, SPECIALIZED COURSES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH COGNITIVE AND PHYSICAL CHALLENGES, TECHNICAL OUTREACH SERVICES ASSISTING SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY THEATRES TO MAINTAIN AND MANAGE THEIR LIGHTING AND SOUND EQUIPMENT, AND CONSULTING SERVICES THAT HELP AREA SCHOOLS AND ORGANIZATIONS ACCESS EXPANDED ARTS EXPERIENCES FOR THEIR CLIENTS. COMMITTED TO CHANGING LIVES THROUGH ART, PCA IS A RESOURCE FOR STRENGTHENING THE CIVIC FABRIC OF CENTRAL MINNESOTA BY CULTIVATING CONNECTIONS WITHIN AND BETWEEN THE POPULACE TO FOSTER INDIVIDUAL, INSTITUTIONAL, AND COMMUNITY CHANGE. BY ACTIVELY SEEKING PARTNERSHIPS WITH CENTRAL MINNESOTA ORGANIZATIONS, THE PARAMOUNT BRINGS ART TO ALL WITH A FOCUS ON UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS, CREATING INNOVATIVE, ACCESSIBLE PROGRAMMING.

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

  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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. 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.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since September 1995.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.