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Columbia Center for Theatrical Arts Inc

EIN 52-1066100 · Columbia, MD

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak34 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

See Schedule O

Income
$556,392
Spending
$717,584
Spent on programs
75%
Reserves
0.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 69%
Employees
54
Volunteers
40

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

Financial health

Weak: 34 out of 100. Higher than 6% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 61% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 29% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 5% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    75% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 25 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 95% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 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.

  • 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 September 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 (2)
  1. $72,810 spent. OUTREACH PROGRAMS MAKE THEATRE ARTS AVAILABLE AND ACCESSIBLE TO CHILDREN WHO ARE OFTEN OUTSIDE THE MAINSTREAM OF ARTS PROGRAMING. CCTA'S OUTREACH PROGRAMS CONSIST OF OUR SPECIAL NEEDS AND BALTIMORE OUTREACH: 1. EXPANDING HORIZONS: CCTA'S EXPANDING HORIZONS OUTREACH PROGRAM OFFERS FREE INCLUSIVE AND THERAPEUTIC THEATRE EXPERIENCES FOR YOUTH AND ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES. EXPANDING HORIZONS HAS TWO CLASSES, BRIGHT LIGHTS ON BROADWAY FOR AGES 6-16; AND NEW HORIZONS FOR AGES 16 AND OVER. PARTICIPANTS WORK WITH INSTRUCTORS AND PEERS TO ENHANCE THEIR SPEECH, LANGUAGE, AND SOCIAL SKILLS WHILE EXPERIENCING THE JOY AND FUN THAT COMES WITH PREPARING AND PERFORMING A UNIQUE PRODUCTION THAT BOTH ENTERTAINS AND INSPIRES AUDIENCES. THE LEAD INSTRUCTOR IS ALSO A LICENSED OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST. 2. BALTIMORE CITY OUTREACH: THE BALTIMORE OUTREACH PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO MAKE THEATRE ARTS AVAILABLE AND ACCESSIBLE TO STUDENTS FROM LOW INCOME COMMUNITIES IN OUR REGION. WE PARTNER WITH ARMISTEAD SCHOOL TO PROVIDE OUR AFTER SCHOOL THEATRE CLASSES AT NO CHARGE TO THE STUDENTS. DURING THE YEAR THE CLASSES REHEARSE AND PRODUCE TWO SHOWS FOR THE COMMUNITY. THIS PROGRAM IS NOW SUPPORTED THROUGH THE BALTIMORE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION. 3. THEATRICAL ARTS PRODUCTIONS ("TAP") PROGRAM OFFERS PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCES THAT RELATE TO SCHOOL CURRICULUM AND REFLECTS CURRENT SOCIAL ISSUES AND CONCERNS. THESE PERFORMANCES TAKE PLACE AT TOBY'S DINNER THEATRE AND ARE PERFORMED BY PROFESSIONAL ACTORS. THEY ARE ENJOYED BY THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS THROUGHOUT THE BALTIMORE-WASHINGTON AREA EACH YEAR.
  2. $466,712 spent. THE CONSERVATORY OFFERS PERFORMING ARTS-BASED PROGRAMS THAT NURTURE AND DEVELOP THE WHOLE CHILD. IT DRAWS STUDENTS FROM HOWARD COUNTY AND SURROUNDING AREAS. STUDENTS LEARN THROUGH EXERCISES AND WORKSHOPS THAT TEACH BASIC ACTING TECHNIQUE WHILE ENCOURAGING THEM TO LEARN THROUGH PERSONAL EXPLORATION AND APPLICATION OF SKILLS. SCHOLARSHIPS ARE AVAILABLE ON AN AS-NEEDED BASIS. THESE PROGRAMS INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING: - KIDS ON BROADWAY MUSICAL THEATRE CLASSES ARE DESIGNED TO STRENGTHEN ACTING, SINGING, AND DANCING SKILLS IN AN ENJOYABLE, SUPPORTIVE ATMOSPHERE. - AFTER SCHOOL MUSICAL THEATRE PROGRAMS ARE OFFERED AT AREA PUBLIC SCHOOLS THAT PROVIDE EXPOSURE TO THEATRE TRAINING FOR ALL STUDENTS, FROM 1ST THROUGH 8TH GRADE, INCLUDING LOW TO MODERATE-INCOME FAMILIES, WHICH CULMINATE IN A PERFORMANCE OF A MUSICAL. - SUMMER PERFORMING ARTS CAMPS ARE DESIGNED FOR CHILDREN IN GRADES K-12, EACH CULMINATING IN THE PERFORMANCE OF THE CHOSEN MUSICAL PRODUCTION. THE CHILDREN BUILD SKILLS IN ACTING, DANCE, VOICE, AND THE SYNTHESIS OF THOSE SKILLS. - CCTA'S YOUNG COLUMBIANS ARE A UNIQUE ENSEMBLE OF TALENTED PERFORMERS. THEIR ROUSING AND TIMELESS PERFORMANCES OF "CELEBRATE AMERICA," "CELEBRATE BROADWAYTHE LIGHTHEARTED "CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAYS" ARE A DELIGHTFUL BLEND OF JOYOUS FESTIVITY, COMEDY, AND NOSTALGIA. THE ELITE GROUP OF TALENTED YOUTH FROM ALL OVER MARYLAND TRAVELS TO PERFORM FOR AUDIENCES OF ALL AGES. THIS SPECIALIZED THEATRICAL PROGRAM TEACHES OUR NATION'S HISTORY TO BOTH THE PERFORMERS AND THE AUDIENCE. - OTHER CONSERVATORY PROGRAMS INCLUDE THE BROADWAY PREPARATORY. STUDENTS AGES 10-17 HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH A DIRECTOR, MUSICAL DIRECTOR, AND CHOREOGRAPHER AS THEY WORK TOGETHER TO LEARN HOW MUSICAL PRODUCTION WORKS AND PREPARES A FULL MUSICAL PRODUCTION.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 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 September 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 November 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.

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.