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Theatrewashington

EIN 52-1317562 · Washington, DC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair62 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THEATRE WASHINGTON IS DEDICATED TO STRENGTHENING, SUPPORTING, AND CELEBRATING THE WASHINGTON, DC REGION'S COMMUNITY OF PROFESSIONAL THEATERS, THEATER ARTISTS, AND ADMINISTRATORS. AS AN ALLIANCE OF THEATRE ORGANIZATIONS, THEATRE-MAKERS, AND SUPPORTERS, IT PROMOTES AND NURTURES A CREATIVE, EQUITABLE, HEALTHY, AND DIVERSE REGIONAL THEATRE COMMUNITY. THROUGH COLLABORATIVE PARTNERSHIPS AND PROGRAMS, THEATRE WASHINGTON HELPS SUPPORT THE AREA'S PROFESSIONAL THEATRE SCENE BY CELEBRATING ARTISTIC ACHIEVEMENT, STRENGTHENING THE THEATRICAL WORKFORCE, SUPPORTING INSTITUTIONAL GROWTH AND ADVANCEMENT, AND CULTIVATING COLLECTIVE ACTION. ITS CORE PROGRAMS INCLUDE THE HELEN HAYES AWARDS, THEATRE WEEK, THEATRE SUMMIT, THEATRE WORK, AND THE TAKING CARE FUND.

Income
$1.2 million
Spending
$1.2 million
Spent on programs
77%
Reserves
0 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 75%
Employees
6
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$141,941, president & ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 62 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover -0.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 11% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 9% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    77% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • 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 December 31, 2024, 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. $231,239 spent. PROMOTE WASHINGTON THEATRE- THEATRE WASHINGTON PROMOTES THE THEATRE INDUSTRY IN THE REGION THROUGHOUT THE YEAR THROUGH ITS ONGOING COMMITMENT TO AMPLIFYING THE MANY READINGS, EVENTS, AND PERFORMANCES PRODUCED BY A COMPREHENSIVE LISTINGS SECTION ON OUR WEBSITE, THEATREWASHINGTON.ORG, AND THROUGH OUR SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS. CREATING UNDERSTANDING AND GREATER PARTICIPATION BY ATTENDING AND PARTICIPATING IN THEATRE IS THE CENTRAL MESSAGE OF THE THEATRE WEEK PROGRAM, A MONTH-LONG CELEBRATION ABOUT AND FOR THE THEATRE INDUSTRY IN THE AREA. ADDITIONALLY, WE PARTICIPATE IN FREQUENT OPPORTUNITIES PRESENTED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR TO SPEAK AT PANEL DISCUSSIONS AND FORUMS WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS INTERESTED IN THE WASHINGTON REGION AS A DESTINATION FOR THEATRE FOR RESIDENTS AND TOURISTS.
  2. $519,556 spent. CELEBRATING EXCELLENCE -THE HELEN HAYES AWARDS IS AN ANNUAL EVENT THAT HONORS EXTRAORDINARY ACHIEVEMENTS IN THEATER PERFORMANCE, DESIGN, AND DIRECTION IN THE GREATER WASHINGTON D.C. REGION. IT IS SUPPORTED BY A GROUP OF FORTY VOLUNTEER JUDGES WHO SUBMIT SCORING FOR OVER TWO HUNDRED PRODUCTIONS ANNUALLY. THE CELEBRATION BRINGS TOGETHER THE DC COMMUNITY OF THEATER PROFESSIONALS TO CELEBRATE AND PUBLICIZE THEIR COLLECTIVE STRENGTH AND ARTISTRY.
  3. $169,388 spent. THEATRE SUPPORT- TAKING CARE PROVIDES WASHINGTON AREA THEATER PROFESSIONALS WITH FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS, INCLUDING IN THE CASE OF SERIOUS MEDICAL AND OTHER ISSUES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 2024.

    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 January 1984.

    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.

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