Desert Theaterworks

What it says it does

Is organized exclusively for charitable purposes within the meaning of section 501c 3 of the Internal revenue Code, 1986, For purposes included but not limited to: 1 Provide education, entertainment and exposure to cultural experience 2 Provide a resource for residents and visitors of the valley to enrich cultural depth and education

Income

$1.5 million

Spending

$915,664

Spent on programs

90%

Reserves

14.8 months of spending

Largest source of income

fees for its services, 94%

Employees

18

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

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 78% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

• Reserves

  35 of 35

  Spendable reserves would cover 14.8 months of spending.

• Debt

  10 of 20

  It owes 44% of what it owns.

• Living within its means

  15 of 15

  Income exceeded spending by 40% of income.

• Income trend

  15 of 15

  Income rose 64% on the year before.

• Spending floor

  15 of 15

  90% 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

Weak: 11 out of 100. Higher than 0% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

• Independent board

  0 of 25

  2 of 2 voting board members are independent.

• Conflict of interest policy

  0 of 15

  Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

• Whistleblower policy

  0 of 8

  Reports no written whistleblower policy.

• Record keeping policy

  0 of 7

  Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

• Board minutes

  0 of 5

  Reports that it does not keep minutes of board meetings.

• Board sees the tax return

  0 of 10

  Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

• Independent check of accounts

  0 of 15

  Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 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.

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. check_circle

   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. check_circle

   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. check_circle

   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. check_circle

   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. check_circle

   How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

   Recognized by the IRS since September 2015.

   Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

6. check_circle

   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.