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Harbor Springs Lyric Theatre

EIN 46-5537766 · Harbor Spgs, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceGood78 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THIS CORPORATION IS ORGANIZED EXCLUSIVELY FOR THE CHARITABLE EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES, INCLUDING OPERATING A COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AND MISSION DRIVEN THEATRE IN HARBOR SPRINGS, MICHIGAN TO PROVIDE A YEAR-ROUND VENUE FOR FILM, DRAMA, MUSICAL ARTS AND LITERATURE THAT WILL EDUCATE THE PUBLIC IN THE CINEMATIC, PERFORMING AND LITERARY ART AND WILL ENHANCE THE CULTURAL AND INTELLECTUAL LIFE OF THE COMMUNITY. THE CORPORATION SHALL NOT DIRECTLY OR INDRECTLY DISCRIMINATE AGAINST ANY PERSON BY REASON OF AGE, SEX, RACE RELIGION OR NATIONAL ORIGIN.

Income
$1.3 million
Spending
$1.0 million
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
15.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 51%
Employees
4
Volunteers
40
Highest pay
$112,311, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 89% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 15.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 20% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 26% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 78 out of 100. Higher than 29% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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

    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, 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 (1)
  1. $822,706 spent. RENOVATED A DONATED BUILDING INTO A COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AND MISSION DRIVEN THEATRE VENUE FOR FILM, OPERA AND OTHER MUSICAL ARTS AND LITERATURE THAT EDUCATED THE PUBLIC IN THE CINEMATIC, PERFORMING AND LITERARY ARTS AND ENHANCES THE CULTURAL AND THE INTELLECTUAL LIFE OF THE HARBOR SPRINGS COMMUNITY. SINCE OPENING IN JULY OF 2016, THE THEATRE HAS OPERATED ON A FULL TIME BASIS, 365 DAY PER YEAR, 12 HOURS PER DAY. THE THEATRE ALSO PARTNERS WITH LOCAL SCHOOL SYSTEMS, EDUCATIONAL CLUBS AND OTHER NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS LIKE THE HARBOR SPRINGS FESTIVAL OF THE BOOK, TO PROMOTE ITS EDUCATIONAL MISSION. THE FACILITIES ARE AVAILABLE TO THE COMMUNITY AS A PLACE TO PROMOTE THE CULTURAL AND INTELLECTUAL LIFE OF THE AREA, AS WELL AS TO INDIVIDUAL RESIDENTS FOR PRESENTATIONS AND CELEBRATIONS. IT HAS BEEN A HUGE STIMULUS FOR THE LOCAL ECONOMY ATTRACTING VISITORS FROM ALL OVER MICHIGAN ALL YEAR ROUND.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 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 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 2025.

    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 April 2015.

    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.