Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Synetic Theatre Inc

EIN 52-2001215 · Arlington, VA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak38 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It owes more than it owns.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

Washington DCs premier contemporary physical theater seeks to redefine theatre by devising a unique and innovative blend of stage movement, dance, text, and music while investing in artists growth, and creating unforgettable visceral experiences for every audience.

Income
$1.3 million
Spending
$1.2 million
Spent on programs
52%
Reserves
-3.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 55%
Employees
13
Volunteers
29
Highest pay
$82,001, founding artistic director

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

Financial health

Weak: 38 out of 100. Higher than 9% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

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

  • Debt

    0 of 20

    It owes 232% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 17% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    52% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 18 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 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

    9 of 10 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 August 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 (2)
  1. $437,636 spent. Main Stage: In 2024-25 Synetic Theaters Main Stage productions sold more than 7,500 tickets, despite the company being itinerant for the first time in nearly 15 years. Synetic presented productions of Hamlet ...the rest is silence, and The Little Comedies in Arlington, and premiered The Immigrant in Arlington and at Theater J in Washington, DC thanks to a special association. The Immigrant went on to win Outstanding Choreography and Outstanding Production at the 2025 Helen Hayes Awards, and has spawned a one-man version of the show that will tour to schools and performing arts centers in 2027. Olney Theater Center presented A Midsummer Nights Dream for 4 weeks in the summer of 2025, Synetics first major touring engagement since leaving its home space. The production was the best-selling non-musical ever done in Olneys Roberts Theater, and the partnership between Olney and Synetic Theater has deepened, with an engagement of Synetics Sleepy Hollow set for fall of 2026.
  2. $195,766 spent. Education: In 2024-25 Synetic Theater reached more than 8,000 children and youth with its educational programs. Synetics Teen Ensemble presented a fully realized production of Hamlet ...the rest is silence at Gunston Arts Center, and Synetic successfully transferred its summer camp program to new spaces at Gunston Arts Center and Theater-on-the-Run in Arlington. Synetics traveling educational programs reached students across the region, including at Castleton Festival, Alexandria Public Schools, Fairfax Public Schools, Arlington Public Schools, and in Montgomery County, Prince Georges County, and Anne Arundel County in Maryland.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 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 November 6, 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 August 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 June 1997.

    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 November 4, 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.