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Historic Elitch Gardens Theatre Foundation

EIN 46-0492147 · Denver, CO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood70 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Only 39% 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

PRESERVATION AND MANAGEMENT OF THE HISTORIC ELITCH THEATRE WITH PROGRAMS TO ENSURE ACCESS TO UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS IN THE CULTURAL ARTS.

Income
$114,681
Spending
$155,017
Spent on programs
39%
Reserves
26.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 55%
Employees
0
Volunteers
59

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

Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 43% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 26.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 35% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 13% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    39% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 92% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • 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.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or 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 (5)
  1. $12,692 spent. IN 2024 THE HISTORIC ELITCH THEATRE IN DENVER OFFERED VARIOUS PROGRAMS, INCLUDING FILMS AND LIVE THEATER. THE SUMMER FILM SERIES OFFERED FREE INDOOR SCREENINGS OF POPULAR FILMS WITH PRE-FILM ACTIVITIES.
  2. $3,125 spent. IN 2024, THE HISTORIC ELITCH THEATRE IN DENVER OFFERED VARIOUS SUMMER PROGRAMS, INCLUDING A ONE-WEEK SUMMER CAMP FOR YOUNG ASPIRING PERFORMERS. THE SUMMER CAMP PROVIDED IMMERSIVE INSTRUCTION IN ACTING, SINGING, AND DANCING.
  3. $698 spent. IN 2024, THE HISTORIC ELITCH THEATRE IN DENVER OFFERED HISTORY TOURS, PROVIDING GUIDED EXPLORATIONS OF ITS STORIED ARCHITECTURE AND PAST GLORY.
  4. $44,027 spent. OTHER EXEMPT ACTIVITES INCLUDE COMMUNITY EVENTS.
  5. OTHER EXEMPT ACTIVITES INCLUDE COMMUNITY EVENTS.

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 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 December 2024.

    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 July 2003.

    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.