Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Legacy Theatre

EIN 45-2855557 · Branford, CT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak33 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

THE LEGACY THEATRE IS A PROFESSIONAL THEATER COMPANY THAT ENHANCES THE CONNECTICUT SHORELINE'S ECONOMY, EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AND QUALITY OF LIFE THROUGH LIVE THEATER AND RELATED PROGRAMS.

Income
$2.1 million
Spending
$1.9 million
Spent on programs
62%
Reserves
-16.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 75%
Employees
31
Volunteers
68
Highest pay
$119,500, former ex-officio, md

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 33 out of 100. Higher than 5% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 56% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 18% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    62% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 12 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 49% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 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

    0 of 10

    Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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. $1.2 million spent. WE HAD A TREMENDOUS 2024 SEASON OF PERFORMANCES AND EVENTS. THERE WERE 11,394 TICKETS SOLD, WE HOSTED 118 TICKETED EVENTS, HAD AUDIENCES FROM 34 STATES AND 5 COUNTRIES. THE SEASON HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE FOUR MAIN STAGE PRODUCTIONS, SIX FAMILY SERIES PRODUCTIONS, SEVEN SUNDAY BROADWAY CONCERT SERIES PERFORMANCES, A HOLIDAY SHOW AND MANY OTHER PERFOMANCES, PRODUCTIONS AND EVENTS. OUR THEATER GAINED MUCH ATTENTION IN 2024 WHEN THE WELL KNOWN DAME JULIE ANDREWS DIRECTED ONE OF OUR MAIN STAGE PERFORMANCES WHICH BROUGHT IN RAVE REVIEWS.
  2. $26,617 spent. WE HELD VARIOUS EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS IN 2024. THESE PROGRAMS INCLUDE EDUCATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS WITH SURROUNDING ORGANIZATIONS AND TOWNS AND INCLUDE INDIVIDUALS OF AGE GROUPS RANGING FROM TODDLERS TO SENIOR CITIZENS. WE HOSTED CLASSES, WORKSHOPS, INTENSIVES, CONSERVATORY PROGRAMS AND CLASS FIELD TRIPS. WE ALSO HELD PROGRAMS FOR OUR WHEEL LIFE THEATRE TROUPE WHICH ALLOWS PEOPLE WHO AMBULATE WITH CRUTCHES OR WHEELCHAIRS TO PARTICIPATE IN EDUCATIONAL THEATRE PROGRAMS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 December 2024.

    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 August 2012.

    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.