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The Wang Center for the Performing Arts Inc

EIN 51-0197209 · Boston, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair63 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Only 37% 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

THE BOCH CENTER OPERATES AND MAINTAINS TWO ICONIC VENUES AND PROVIDES PERFORMING ARTS ENTERTAINMENT AND CULTURAL EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC.

Income
$5.5 million
Spending
$5.7 million
Spent on programs
37%
Reserves
70.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
other income, 32%
Employees
182
Volunteers
46
Highest pay
$496,200, former president & ceo

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

Financial health

Fair: 63 out of 100. Higher than 36% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 70.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 37% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    37% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 40 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    21 of 22 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

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 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 (4)
  1. $963,956 spent. THE CENTER PROVIDES EDUCATIONAL ART PROGRAMS TO THE COMMUNITY. SOME OF THESE PROGRAMS ARE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND INCLUDE THE IN-SCHOOL ARTS RESIDENCY PROGRAM THAT FOCUSES ON LITERACY AND SOCIAL EMOTIONAL SKILLS; THE CITY SPOTLIGHTS SUMMER LEADERSHIP PROGRAM, WHICH ENCOURAGES URBAN HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TO PURSUE CAREERS AND LEADERSHIP POTENTIAL THROUGH ARTS; AND INTERACTIVE READINGS THAT BRING STORIES TO CHILDREN. ALL EDUCATION PROGRAMS DIRECTLY REACH CHILDREN IN ALL BOSTON NEIGHBORHOODS THROUGH WORKSHOPS AND PERFORMANCES. IN ADDITION TO THESE PROGRAMS, THE CENTER DISTRIBUTES COMPLMENTARY TICKETS TO VARIOUS COMMUNITY PARTNERS INCLUDING BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND VETERANS (VET TIX).
  2. $263,395 spent. THE CENTER OPERATES TWO ICONIC ARTS VENUES, THE WANG AND SHUBERTTHEATRES, FOR THE PURPOSE OF PRESENTING ARTS ENTERTAINMENT TO THEGREATER COMMUNITY. IN ADDITION, THE CENTER MAKES ALL NEEDED REPAIRS ANDRENOVATIONS IN ORDER TO PROPERLY MAINTAIN THESE FACILITIES.
  3. $876,182 spent. THE FOLK AMERICANA ROOTS HALL OF FAME IS HOUSED IN THE WANG THEATRE AND CELEBRATES THE HISTORY OF FOLK, AMERICANA AND ROOTS MUSIC THROUGH DISPLAYS, MEMORABILIA, ARTIFACTS, MULTI-MEDIA, LECTURES AND CONCERTS. THE MUSIC HALL WILL BE HOME TO A SERIES OF LECTURES AND SMALLER-SCALE PERFORMANCES THAT EXPAND THE EDUCATIONAL MISSION OF THE HALL OF FAME AND PROVIDE EXPOSURE TO THE NEXT GENERATION OF ARTISTS WHO ARE KEEPING THESE MUSICAL TRADITIONS ALIVE.
  4. SPONSORSHIPS - THE CENTER RECEIVED PAYMENTS FROM BOSTON PORT SERVICE,INC. IN EXCHANGE FOR THE BOCH NAMING RIGHTS & OTHER MISC SPONSORSHIPS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 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 May 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 September 1976.

    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.

  7. Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.

    A much larger organization has a similar name: John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (Washington, DC), EIN 53-0245017. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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.