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Footlight Players Inc

EIN 57-0357961 · Charleston, SC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak38 out of 100GovernanceGood75 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE FOOTLIGHT PLAYERS WAS FOUNDED IN 1931 AND IS THE OLDEST CONTINUOUSLY PERFORMING COMMUNITY THEATRE IN SOUTH CAROLINA. THE MISSION OF FOOTLIGHT PLAYERS IS TO PROVIDE QUALITY, AFFORDABLE, BARRIER-FREE COMMUNITY THEATRE OF APROFESSIONAL CALIBER FOR THE CITIZENS OF CHARLESTON...

Income
$571,244
Spending
$832,747
Spent on programs
61%
Reserves
-7.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 52%
Employees
19

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

Weak: 38 out of 100. Higher than 9% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

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

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 7% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 46% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    61% 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

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 52% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 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

    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 (3)
  1. $334,512 spent. FOOTLIGHT PLAYERS PRODUCES AT LEAST 6 DIVERSE PRODUCTIONS PER SEASON PROVIDING OUR COMMUNITY WITH THE BEST IN LOCAL ENTERTAINMENT AND PERFORMERS WITH AN EMPHASIS ON DIVERSITY, REFLECTING THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE, ON STAGE.
  2. $116,573 spent. FOOTLIGHT PLAYERS IS DEDICATED TO PROVIDING LOWCOUNTRY YOUTH WITH EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOCUSED ON ENRICHING THEIR LIVES AND TEACHING THEM VITAL LIFE SKILLS THROUGH PERFORMING ARTS EDUCATION.
  3. $55,752 spent. FOOTLIGHT PLAYERS, IN RESIDENCE AT THE QUEEN STREET PLAYHOUSE, IS PLEASED TO PROVIDE A HOME FOR ARTISTS OF ALL TYPES TO PRESENT THEIR WORK AND PRACTICE THEIR CRAFT. WE ARE DEDICATED TO OFFERING A VAST ARRAY OF PERFORMING ARTS AND OFFERING OUR BUILDING TO OTHERS AS REHEARSAL AND EDUCATION SPACE.

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 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 March 1952.

    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.