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Atlas Performing Arts Center

EIN 52-2358563 · Washington, DC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak46 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE ATLAS IS A CREATIVE SPACE FOR ARTISTS AND AUDIENCES TO EXPLORE THE IDEA AND ISSUES OF OUR TIME. WE NURTURE AN EQUITABLE HOME FOR ARTISTS REPRESENTING OUR DIVERSE COMMUNITY. WE LEVERAGE PARTNERSHIPS AND PROGRAMS THAT REFLECT THE BEST OF THE ARTS AND OUR HUMANITY.

Income
$2.8 million
Spending
$3.5 million
Spent on programs
91%
Reserves
-7.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 26%
Employees
65
Volunteers
67
Highest pay
$121,333, executive 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: 46 out of 100. Higher than 17% 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

    16 of 20

    It owes 24% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 26% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    91% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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

    14 of 14 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 (3)
  1. $2.8 million spent. ATLAS PRESENTS: THE ATLAS PERFORMING ARTS CENTER PRESENTS, PRODUCES, AND CURATES ARTISTIC EVENTS. WE CONNECT OUR AUDIENCES AND PATRONS THROUGH COMPELLING THEATRICAL PERFORMANCES, DYNAMIC, MUSICAL ENTERTAINMENT, DANCE, SPOKEN WORD. ATLAS PRESENTS INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING PROGRAMS: ARTS FOR YOUNG AUDIENCES, JAZZ AT THE ATLAS, THE ATLAS SILENT FILM SERIES, AND THE ANNUAL INTERSECTIONS FESTIVAL, WHICH BOASTS OVER 35 PERFORMANCES WITH OVER 400 ARTISTS, AS WELL AS THE ANNUAL YOUTH SUMMIT. THE ATLAS PERFORMING ARTS CENTER STANDS AS A CULTURAL ICON AND DESTINATION WITHIN A DYNAMIC COMMUNITY ENERGIZED BY HUMAN DIVERSITY, ABUNDANT IN ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY, AND INFUSED WITH PASSION FOR THE ARTS.
  2. $200,395 spent. THEATER, SPECIAL EVENTS AND RENTALS: ATLAS PROVIDES A THEATER RENTAL HOME FOR PROFESSIONAL PERFORMING ARTS COMPANIES AND NONRESIDENT, REGIONAL, NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL PRODUCTION COMPANIES (INCLUDING DANCE, THEATRE, ORCHESTRAL AND VARIETY) IN SEVEN SPACES (FOUR THEATRES AND THREE DANCE STUDIOS). ATLAS PROVIDES ADMINISTRATIVE AND PRODUCTION SUPPORT FOR ITS RESIDENT AND VISITING COMPANIES IN A COMPLETE FLOOR OF OFFICES ON THE LOWER LEVEL (3,000 SQUARE FEET). THE ATLAS ALSO RENTS ITS SPACES FOR COMMUNITY BASED EVENTS SUCH AS WEDDINGS, BIRTHDAYS, AND OTHER CELEBRATIONS ALONG WITH RENTALS TO BUSINESSES FOR SEMINARS AND OTHER CORPORATE MEETINGS AND GATHERINGS. ATLAS HAS BEEN, AND CONTINUES TO BE AN ECONOMIC AND CULTURAL ANCHOR AND THE LEADER IN THE REVITALIZATION OF THE H STREET CORRIDOR IN NORTHEAST WASHINGTON, DC.
  3. $162,375 spent. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS: AS A CULTURAL AND ARTISTIC HUB, THE ATLAS IS ALSO DEDICATED TO DEVELOPING THE NEXT GENERATION OF ARTISTS AND AUDIENCES THROUGH EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES AND PROGRAMMING. THE ATLAS HAS PERFORMANCE SPACES AND WE OFTEN HOST FREE EVENTS IN OUR LOBBY. WE PRODUCE ATLAS PRESENTS PERFORMANCES AND RENT SPACES TO OTHER ARTIST GROUPS SO THEY CAN CREATE THEIR OWN PRODUCTIONS. OUR ARTS EDUCATION PROGRAMMING INCLUDE OUR CITY AT PEACE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM. IN ADDITION, ATLAS ARTS LAB IS AN ARTIST FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM DEDICATED TO THE CREATION OF NEW WORKING IN THE PERFORMING ARTS.

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 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 August 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 January 2002.

    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.