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Round House Theatre Inc

EIN 52-1289737 · Bethesda, MD

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair55 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

ROUND HOUSE IS A THEATRE FOR EVERYONE. WE ENRICH OUR COMMUNITY THROUGH BOLD, OUTSTANDING THEATRICAL AND EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES THAT INSPIRE EMPATHY AND DEMAND CONVERSATION.

Income
$10.6 million
Spending
$7.3 million
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
-6.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 67%
Employees
326
Volunteers
250
Highest pay
$265,453, executive 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: 55 out of 100. Higher than 22% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 37% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 31% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 29% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 11 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 34% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    23 of 23 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 (2)
  1. $5.1 million spent. PERFORMANCE: ROUND HOUSE IS ONE OF THE LEADING PROFESSIONAL THEATRES IN THE WASHINGTON, DC METROPOLITAN AREA. WE REGULARLY PRODUCE A SEASON OF NEW PLAYS, MODERN CLASSICS AND MUSICALS AT OUR THEATRE IN BETHESDA. IN THE 2024-2025 SEASON, ROUND HOUSE WELCOMED MORE THAN 40,000 PATRONS AND STUDENTS TO OUR PRODUCTIONS. ROUND HOUSE PRODUCED FIVE PLAYS AS PART OF OUR MAINSTAGE SEASON AND PRESENTED FOUR WORKSHOP READINGS OF NEW WORKS.
  2. $664,573 spent. EDUCATION: IN 2024-2025 ROUND HOUSE SERVED NEARLY 5,000 STUDENTS OF ALL AGES THROUGH ONSITE PROGRAMS AND IN SCHOOLS THROUGHOUT MONTGOMERY COUNTY AND THE DC METRO. FEATURED PROGRAMMING INCLUDES THE TEEN PERFORMANCE COMPANY - A PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WITH TRAINING AND MENTORSHIP BY PROFESSIONAL ARTISTS THAT CULMINATES IN THE SARAH METZGER MEMORIAL PLAY, WHICH IS DIRECTED, DESIGNED, AND PERFORMED BY TPC MEMBERS; FREE PLAY -FREE TICKETS TO ANY STUDENT AGE 13 THROUGH COLLEGE FOR ANY SHOW, INTERNSHIPS, SUMMER CAMP FOR STUDENTS IN GRADES K-12; SPRING BREAK DAYS OFF!; ONSITE CLASSES FOR YOUTH, TEENS, AND ADULTS; AFTERSCHOOL RESIDENCIES AND STUDENT MATINEES.

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 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 June 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 May 1983.

    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.