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Little Theatre of Norfolk

EIN 54-1285618 · Norfolk, VA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceFair64 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.

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

What it says it does

TO FOSTER AND IMPROVE THE CULTURAL ENVIRONMENT OF THE CITY OF NORFOLK AND SURROUNDING AREAS THROUGH LIVE ON-STAGE THEATRICAL PRODUCTIONS. TO PROVIDE QUALITY ART, AFFORDABLE TO THE COMMUNITY, AND TO MAKE AVAILABLE TRAINING FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN THE THEATRE. THE LITTLE THEATRE OF NORFOLK, A COMPLETELY VOLUNTEER COMMUNITY THEATRE BEGAN IN 1926. SINCE ITS INCEPTION, THE THEATER HAS PROVIDED LOCAL ARTISTS A CHANCE TO EXPLORE FOR THE FIRST TIME OR TO HONE THEIR CRAFT THROUGH ACTING, DIRECTING, DESIGN OR OTHER ASPECTS OF TECHNICAL WORK. CURRENTLY, THE THEATRE IS ONE OF THE OLDEST, CONTINUOUSLY RUNNING COMMUNITY THEATERS IN THE NATION.

Income
$259,477
Spending
$212,156
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
7.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 51%
Employees
0
Volunteers
200

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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 78% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 7.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 18% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 46% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Fair: 64 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    19 of 19 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no 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

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    0 of 10

    Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, 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 (1)
  1. $178,039 spent. SINCE ITS INCEPTION, THE THEATRE HAS PROVIDED LOCAL ARTISTS A CHANCE TO EXPLORE FOR THE FIRST TIME OR TO HONE THEIR CRAFT THROUGH ACTING, DIRECTING, DESIGNING,OR OTHER ASPECTS OF TECHNICAL WORK. SINCE 2023, WE HAVE ENDEAVORED TO ADD PROGRAMMING THAT SPECIFICALLY UPLIFTS ARTISTS FROM COMMUNITIES WITH A SMALLER REACH.AUGUST 2024: THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (ABRIDGED) {REVISED} (AGAIN). (MAIN STAGE SHOW)THE COMPLETE WORKS . . ARA WAS THE FIRST SHOW OF OUR 98TH SEASON. IT HAD A CAST OF 8 AND INCLUDED A DIRECTOR, A SHAKESPEAREAN SCHOLAR, AND DRAMATURG AS THE LEADERSHIP TEAM. WITH THE HELP OF MORE THAN 30 VOLUNTEERS IT KICKED OFF THE SEASON AND THE MORE THAN 800 PATRONS WHO SAW THE SHOW GAVE IT GLOWING REVIEWS. THIS SHOW INCLUDED A PERFORMANCE WITH ACCESS VA TO PROVIDE VISUAL ASSISTANCE FOR THOSE WHO ARE HEARING IMPAIRED. SEPTEMBER 2024: INAUGURAL PRESENTATION OF VIDE VIBRANTE. (SEASON EXTRA)VIDE VIBRANTE IS A CELEBRATION OF HISPANIC AND LATINE CULTURE. THE WEEKEND INCLUDED PERFORMANCES BY MULTIPLE DANCE TROUPES AND LOCAL HISPANIC SINGERS AS WELL AS THE REGIONAL PREMIER OF THE LIN-MANUEL MIRANDA SHORT MUSICAL 21 CHUMP STREET, AN EXHIBITION FROM A HISPANIC IMPROV TROUPE, AND TWO TALK BACKS. TOTAL MANPOWER OF PERFORMERS, TECHNICIANS, AND BOARD INVOLVEMENT WAS MORE THAN 40 PERSONS. THIS INAUGURAL PERFORMANCE GARNERED 200 TICKET SALES.OCTOBER 2024: SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET (MAIN STAGE SHOW)MORE THAN 100 LOCAL PERFORMERS AUDITIONED TO BE A PART OF SWEENEY TODD. OF THOSE, MORE THAN 20 WERE CHOSEN TO BE A PART OF THE CAST OF THIS CLASSIC MUSICAL. TECHNICIANS, DESIGNERS, SET CONSTRUCTION VOLUNTEERS, DECK HANDS, PAINTERS, AND FRONT OF HOUSE BRING THE TOTAL TO OVER 65 VOLUNTEERS WHO HELPED BRING THIS SHOW TO LIFE. THE SHOW CONSISTENTLY SOLD OUT AND THE COMMUNITY GAVE THE SHOW RAVE REVIEWS. IT WAS NOMINATED FOR MULTIPLE LOCAL ARTS AWARDS AND WON FOR BEST LEADING FEMALE PERFORMANCE AND BEST ENSEMBLE PERFORMANCE. THIS SHOW INCLUDED A PERFORMANCE WITH ACCESS VA TO PROVIDE VISUAL ASSISTANCE FOR THOSE WHO ARE HEARING IMPAIRED.DECEMBER 2024: LTN'S HOLIDAY CABARET: THE ERAS SHOW (SEASON EXTRA)AFTER THE SUCCESS OF THE FIRST TWO HOLIDAY CABARETS AT LTN, WE EXPANDED TO TWO WEEKENDS INSTEAD OF ONE. WITH A CAST OF 12 AND VOLUNTEERS NUMBERING ALMOST 30, THE SHOW THAT EXPLORED THE HISTORY OF HOLIDAY MUSIC WAS A SUCCESS. MANY OF THE PATRONS COMMENTED ON HOW MUCH THEY LOVE WHAT HAS BECOME A PART OF THEIR HOLIDAY TRADITIONS.JANUARY 2025: CHOIR BOY (MAIN STAGE SHOW)CHOIR BOY WAS A BOLD, FUNNY, EMOTIONAL, AND VISUALLY STUNNING EXPLORATION OF THE CHALLENGES FACED BY MANY YOUNG BLACK MEN AS THEY NAVIGATE THE PRESSURES OF HIGH SCHOOL. MORE THAN 45 VOLUNTEERS CAME TOGETHER AS PERFORMERS, DESIGNERS, TECHNICIANS, STORYTELLERS, BOARD MEMBERS, AND FRONT OF HOUSE STAFF TO SHARE THIS PRODUCTION WITH THE NORFOLK COMMUNITY. TALK BACKS WERE OFFERED AFTER 3 PERFORMANCES TO DISCUSS A RANGE OF TOPICS FROM CREATING BLACK ART IN A TIME OF SOCIAL CHANGE, TO THE IMPORTANCE OF TELLING THE STORIES OF THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY, AND CREATING THE VIBES OF CINEMA ON THE LIVE THEATER STAGE. THE PRODUCTION WENT ON TO BE NOMINATED FOR SEVEN LOCAL THEATRE AWARDS, WINNING THREE. THIS SHOW INCLUDED A PERFORMANCE WITH ACCESS VA TO PROVIDE VISUAL ASSISTANCE FOR THOSE WHO ARE HEARING IMPAIRED.MARCH 2025: TOP GIRLS (MAIN STAGE SHOW)THE CAST OF TOP GIRLS INCLUDED 10 WOMEN, MOST OF WHOM PORTRAYED MULTIPLE ROLES. WITH A HEAVY FOCUS ON HISTORICAL ACCURACY, THE COSTUMES SPANNED 1000'S OF YEARS AND THE DESIGNERS WERE NOMINATED FOR A LOCAL THEATRE AWARD. THE DESIGN TEAM, TECHNICIANS, SET CONSTRUCTION, PAINTERS, BOARD INVOLVEMENT, AND FRONT OF HOUSE STAFF BROUGHT THE TOTAL VOLUNTEERS FOR THIS SHOW TO MORE THAN 35. THE SHOW FOCUSES ON DISCUSSIONS AROUND THE EVOLUTION (OR LACK THEREOF) OF WOMEN'S ROLE IN SOCIETY. IT WAS A THOUGHTFUL AND INSIGHTFUL PIECE THAT WAS UNLIKE ANYTHING BEING PRODUCED IN THE AREA AT THE TIME. IN ADDITION TO COSTUMING, THE SHOW WAS NOMINATED FOR THREE OTHER LOCAL THEATRE AWARDS, WINNING FOR BEST FEMALE PERFORMANCE IN A SUPPORTING ROLE. THIS SHOW INCLUDED A PERFORMANCE WITH ACCESS VA TO PROVIDE VISUAL ASSISTANCE FOR THOSE WHO ARE HEARING IMPAIRED.MAY 2025: MEMPHIS (MAIN STAGE SHOW)MEMPHIS WAS A LIVELY AND EXCITING MUSICAL TO CAP OFF OUR MAIN STAGE SEASON. THE CAST OF 30 INCLUDED SEASONED PERFORMERS AS WELL AS NOVICES. THE PRODUCTION TEAM CREATED A SHOW THAT CHALLENGED THE PERFORMERS AND EXCITED THE AUDIENCES. ELEMENTS UNDERUSED AT LTN, SUCH AS PROJECTIONS, WERE INCORPORATED WITH SUCCESS. IN ADDITION TO THE LARGE CAST, VOLUNTEERS NUMBERING OVER 60 HELPED TO BRING THIS HEART-PUMPING SHOW TO THE NORFOLK COMMUNITY FOR THE FIRST TIME. THE MUSICAL, WHICH SOLD NEARLY 1500 TICKETS WAS NOMINATED FOR SEVEN AWARDS AND WON FOR BEST CHOREOGRAPHY.THIS SHOW INCLUDED A PERFORMANCE WITH ACCESS VA TO PROVIDE VISUAL ASSISTANCE FOR THOSE WHO ARE HEARING IMPAIRED.JUNE 2025 (SEASON EXTRAS)THE 48-HOUR PLAY FESTIVAL: PRIDE & PREJUDICE (& PRINCE). THE 48HPF BRINGS TOGETHER LOCAL ARTISTS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN MAKING THEATRE IN A HURRY OR ARE CURIOUS ABOUT CREATING THEATRE BUT AREN'T SURE WHERE TO START. EACH YEAR (THIS WAS NUMBER 4), PARTICIPANTS INCLUDE VETERANS OF THE FESTIVAL AND NEWCOMERS. EACH YEAR, THE FESTIVAL INCLUDES A MIXER WHERE PARTICIPANTS CAN MEET AND LEARN MORE ABOUT THE FESTIVAL AS WELL AS SEE THE SPACE THEY WILL BE WORKING IN. THE FESTIVAL ALSO OFFERS A FREE WORKSHOP, TO ANYONE IN THE COMMUNITY, NOT JUST TO REGISTERED PARTICIPANTS. THE WORKSHOPS VARY FROM YEAR TO YEAR. THIS YEAR'S FOCUSED ON DEVELOPING A SHORT PLAY. THIS EVENT ALSO SERVES AS PART OF OUR VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION EVENT. SANKOFA: A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN LTN AND THE UNDERGROUND PERFORMING ARTS COLLECTIVE SANKOFA FOCUSED ON CELEBRATING JUNETEENTH, AND BLACK AND AFRICAN CULTURE AND ARTS. THIS WEEKEND-LONG EVENT HOSTED OVER 60 PERFORMERS, INCLUDED A MARKET WHEREIN LOCAL BLACK BUSINESS MEN AND WOMEN COULD SELL THEIR PRODUCTS AND SERVICES, AND OFFERED 3 TALK BACKS OVER

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? Worth knowing.

    Status was revoked on November 15, 2022 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on November 15, 2022.

    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 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 2023.

    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.