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Center Stage Associates Inc

EIN 52-0780194 · Baltimore, MD

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair54 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SEE SCHEDULE O.INSPIRED BY OUR HOME CITY, BALTIMORE CENTER STAGE ACTS AS A CULTURAL CATALYST FOR ALL COMMUNITIES TO ACCESS THEATER IN EVERY FORM AND ENGAGE IN COMPELLING CONVERSATIONS. PROGRAMMING: CAPTURE THE COLLECTIVE IMAGINATION AND BUILD COMMUNITY THROUGH JOY-FILLED THEATRICAL ACTIVITIES THAT LEAD TO A GREATER UNDERSTANDING OF OUR OURSELVES AND EACH OTHER. CONSTITUENCY: BUILD INTERDEPENDENT RELATIONSHIPS AND EXPAND PARTICIPATION IN SERVICE TO ALL COMMUNITIES IN BALTIMORE AND EVERY COUNTY IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND. CULTURE: FOSTER AN ENVIRONMENT OF BELONGING AND RELENTLESS CURIOSITY WHERE PEOPLE CAN BE THEIR BEST SELVES. IMPACT: CONTRIBUTE TO THE STORY OF BALTIMORE BY SHOWING UP LOCALLY AND NATIONALLY AS LEADERS, THOUGHT PARTNERS, AMPLIFIERS, AND NEIGHBORS. INSTITUTION: DEVELOP A RESILIENT ORGANIZATION THAT DELIVERS ON ITS MISSION AND MAKES A DISTINCTIVE IMPACT RELATIVE TO ITS RESOURCES.

Income
$8.1 million
Spending
$9.9 million
Spent on programs
72%
Reserves
0 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 46%
Employees
191
Volunteers
176
Highest pay
$176,498, artistic director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 54 out of 100. Higher than 25% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover -0.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 23% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 59% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    72% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 13 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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

    43 of 43 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 June 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 (3)
  1. $6.7 million spent. ARTISTIC: AS THE STATE THEATER OF MARYLAND AND BALTIMORE'S LARGEST THEATER, WE PRODUCE UP TO SIX FULL-LENGTH PLAYS PER SEASON IN OUR TWO MAINSTAGE THEATERS FOR OVER 50,000 VISITORS. THESE PLAYS REPRESENT A DIVERSE MIX OF CONTEMPORARY AND CLASSIC WORKS.
  2. $271,486 spent. EDUCATION: OUR EDUCATION PROGRAMS ANNUALLY BENEFIT 10,000 STUDENTS AND TEACHERS. INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS INTRODUCE STUDENTS TO THE PERFORMING ARTS AND HELP BUILD THE NEXT GENERATION OF WELL-ROUNDED CITIZENS. PROGRAMS INCLUDE THE YOUNG PLAYWRIGHTS FESTIVAL, STUDENT MATINEES, THE VIRTUAL STUDENT MATINEE LIBRARY, AND CAMP CENTERSTAGE.
  3. $168,041 spent. NEW ART DEVELOPMENT: CENTER STAGE SUPPORTS THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW WORK THROUGH OUR MULTI-FACETED NEW ART PROGRAMMING. THIS WORK INCLUDES PLAY LABS, COMMISSIONS, DEVELOPMENTAL WORKSHOPS, AND IN-HOUSE READINGS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 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 June 2025.

    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 February 1965.

    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.