The Oscar Hammerstein Museum and Theatre Education Center
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- Only 28% of its spending went to programs.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
To honor Oscar Hammerstein IIs groundbreaking work as a lyricist librettist mentor and humanitarian. Our vision is to create a cultural experience that immerses visitors in the life and work of Oscar Hammerstein II by establishing a museum at Highland Farm the Doylestown home where he created some of the most successful musicals ever written; and develop a robust theatre education program for all ages that embodies and promotes Hammersteins legacy and personal values.
- Income
- $333,505
- Spending
- $239,590
- Spent on programs
- 28%
- Reserves
- 3.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 77%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 138
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 55 out of 100. Higher than 23% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 3.9 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 8% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 28% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 70% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 1528% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 24 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 89 out of 100. Higher than 76% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2512 of 12 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
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited 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 September 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 (2)
- $2,858 spent. The Hammerstein International Youth Vocal Solo Competition is the first international vocal competition aimed at young performers ages 23 and under honoring the legacy of Oscar Hammerstein. 170 registrations with first 4 place winners,4 second place winners 4 third place winners and 3 local division winners.
- $63,241 spent. The organization opened Oscar Hammerstein IIs Doylestown home to the public for tours that include riveting stories about Oscar Hammersteins musical family how his ground-breaking musicals forever changed the modern-day book-musical and additional insight into his contributions to society through his many humanitarian acts. 196 tours were offered between October 2024 and September 2025 with an average of 9 attendees per tour.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 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 September 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 August 2013.
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.