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Cygnet Theatre Company

EIN 57-1146474 · San Diego, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair61 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

BELIEVING IN THE POWER OF THEATRE TO STARTLE THE SOUL, IGNITE, DEBATE AND EMBRACE THE DIVERSITY OF THE COMMUNITY IN WHICH IT SERVES, THE THEATRE IS FEARLESSLY COMMITTED TO THE DISSECTION, EXAMINATION AND CELEBRATION OF THE HUMAN STORY THROUGH THE MEDIUM OF LIVE THEATRE. CYGNET EDUCATION MISSION STATEMENT: THE FOUNDATION OF OUR PHILOSOPHY AND PROGRAMMING IS GROUNDED IN PRIORITIZING DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION. WE ARE COMMITTED TO FORGING LONG-LASTING RELATIONSHIPS WITH COMMUNITIES THAT ARE NOT PART OF OUR THEATRE HISTORY AND ARE LESS VISIBLE IN OUR THEATRE POPULATIONS. WE ARE DEDICATED TO BUILDING A CYGNET THEATRE BRIDGE BY INVESTING IN THE NEIGHBORHOODS WE SERVE. WE ARE RESOLVED TO LISTEN TO THE NARRATIVES OF THE COMMUNITIES WE SERVE TO ACHIEVE OUR GOALS MUTUALLY.

Income
$7.6 million
Spending
$3.8 million
Spent on programs
80%
Reserves
-1.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 78%
Employees
181
Highest pay
$153,369, artistic dir

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

Fair: 61 out of 100. Higher than 34% 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

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 50% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 129% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    80% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 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

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

    18 of 18 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 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. $3.0 million spent. THE DONALD C. & ELIZABETH DICKINSON FOUNDATION CYGNET SCHOLARSHIP THE DONALD C. & ELIZABETH DICKINSON FOUNDATION CYGNET SCHOLARSHIP OFFERS A ONE-TIME 2,500 AWARD TO FOUR SAN DIEGO HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS, HELPING THEM PURSUE THEATER TRAINING PROGRAMS ACROSS THE U.S. THIS AUDITION-BASED SCHOLARSHIP INVOLVES THE FOLLOWING STEPS: NOMINATION AND PREPARATION: PARTICIPATING SAN DIEGO HIGH SCHOOLS NOMINATE 6-10 STUDENTS FROM THEIR THEATER PROGRAMS WHO DEMONSTRATE SKILLS IN SINGING AND ACTING. THESE STUDENTS PREPARE A 32-BAR SONG AND A 90-SECOND, AGE- APPROPRIATE MONOLOGUE. SELECTION WORKSHOP: CYGNET THEATRE PROVIDES A 90-MINUTE WORKSHOP TO SUPPORT THE STUDENT SELECTION PROCESS. CYGNET SCHOLARSHIP DAY: ALL SELECTED STUDENTS ATTEND CYGNET SCHOLARSHIP DAY, WHERE THEY PERFORM FOR A PANEL OF JUDGES. FOUR SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS ARE CHOSEN BASED ON THESE PERFORMANCES. SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS ARE AWARDED UPON PROOF OF ENROLLMENT, AND RECIPIENTS ARE FREE TO USE THE FUNDS AS THEY SEE FIT. THE STUDENT MATINEE EXPERIENCE FOR NEARLY A DECADE, CYGNET THEATRE HAS PROVIDED SAN DIEGO COUNTY K-12 STUDENTS WITH FREE MATINEE PERFORMANCES EACH SEASON. CYGNET THEATRE OFFERS FOUR STUDENT MATINEES PER SEASON, WHICH TEACHERS IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY CAN REGISTER THEIR CLASSES TO ATTEND. THESE FIELD TRIPS OFTEN INTRODUCE STUDENTS TO LIVE THEATER, EXPANDING THEIR WORLD AND CULTIVATING AN APPRECIATION FOR THE ARTS. EACH CYGNET PRODUCTION CONNECTS WITH SOME ASPECT OF THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE, MAKING IT UNIVERSALLY RELATABLE. IN-SCHOOL PRE-SHOW WORKSHOPS: THESE WORKSHOPS, ALIGNED WITH CALIFORNIA COMMON CORE AND SAN DIEGO UNIFIED VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS STANDARDS, HELP STUDENTS UNDERSTAND THE WORK INVOLVED IN PRODUCING A PROFESSIONAL SHOW. EACH WORKSHOP INCLUDES A VIBRANT, ENGAGING STUDY GUIDE THAT ENRICHES THE STUDENT EXPERIENCE. POST-SHOW TALKBACKS: AFTER EACH MATINEE, ACTORS RETURN TO THE STAGE FOR A DISCUSSION, ANSWERING STUDENTS' QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PLAY, THE PROFESSION, AND ANY OTHER TOPICS OF INTEREST. CYGNET ARTISTS IN THE SCHOOLS PRE-PROFESSIONAL PROGRAM: THIS EIGHT-WEEK ONSITE HIGH SCHOOL RESIDENCY PROVIDES AROUND 72 HOURS OF PROFESSIONAL INSTRUCTION. STUDENTS APPRENTICE UNDER THEATER PROFESSIONALS, FOCUSING ON SKILLS IN PRODUCTION, ORGANIZATION, AND TASK EXECUTION TO MEET INDUSTRY DEMANDS. AT THE PROGRAM'S END, STUDENTS EARN A CERTIFICATE OF ACHIEVEMENT. BEYOND THE BELL AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM: DESIGNED FOR STUDENTS IN GRADES 412, THIS EIGHT-WEEK PROGRAM OFFERS TRAINING IN ACTING, SINGING, DANCING, AND OTHER PERFORMANCE SKILLS. THESE SESSIONS BUILD CONFIDENCE, ENHANCE PUBLIC SPEAKING, AND STRENGTHEN WRITING AND SOCIAL SKILLS. CLASSROOM UNIT PROGRAM: THIS SIX-WEEK, IN-CLASS RESIDENCY CULMINATES IN A STUDENT PRESENTATION. TAILORED TO COMPLEMENT EXISTING SCHOOL CURRICULA, THE PROGRAM SERVES STUDENTS IN GRADES 412, PROVIDING A COMPREHENSIVE THEATER EDUCATION EXPERIENCE. FROM THE PAGE TO THE STAGE FROM THE PAGE TO THE STAGE IS A FREE, 45-MINUTE INTERACTIVE PRESENTATION THAT BRINGS LITERATURE TO LIFE, FOSTERING A LOVE OF READING. THROUGH LIVE THEATER, IT SHOWS CHILDREN AND ADULTS HOW STORIES BY AUTHORS LIKE CERVANTES, MARK TWAIN, AND CHARLES SCHULZ TRANSFORM INTO MUSICALS. FEATURING EXCERPTS FROM BELOVED PRODUCTIONS SUCH AS BIG RIVER, MAN OF LA MANCHA, SEUSSICAL THE MUSICAL, WICKED, AND YOURE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN, THESE MINI-SHOWS ARE PERFORMED BY PROFESSIONAL MUSICAL THEATER ARTISTS. THIS PROGRAM NOW REACHES DIVERSE AUDIENCES AT LOCATIONS INCLUDING THE SALVATION ARMY KROC CENTER, PARKS AND RECREATION CENTERS, MILITARY BASES, SENIOR CENTERS, SCHOOLS, AND PUBLIC LIBRARIES. THE DONALD C. & ELIZABETH DICKINSON FOUNDATION CYGNET SCHOLARSHIP THE DONALD C. & ELIZABETH DICKINSON FOUNDATION CYGNET SCHOLARSHIP OFFERS A ONE-TIME 2,500 AWARD TO FOUR SAN DIEGO HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS, HELPING THEM PURSUE THEATER TRAINING PROGRAMS ACROSS THE U.S. THIS AUDITION-BASED SCHOLARSHIP INVOLVES THE FOLLOWING STEPS: NOMINATION AND PREPARATION: PARTICIPATING SAN DIEGO HIGH SCHOOLS NOMINATE 6-10 STUDENTS FROM THEIR THEATER PROGRAMS WHO DEMONSTRATE SKILLS IN SINGING AND ACTING. THESE STUDENTS PREPARE A 32-BAR SONG AND A 90-SECOND, AGE- APPROPRIATE MONOLOGUE. SELECTION WORKSHOP: CYGNET THEATRE PROVIDES A 90-MINUTE WORKSHOP TO SUPPORT THE STUDENT SELECTION PROCESS. CYGNET SCHOLARSHIP DAY: ALL SELECTED STUDENTS ATTEND CYGNET SCHOLARSHIP DAY, WHERE THEY PERFORM FOR A PANEL OF JUDGES. FOUR SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS ARE CHOSEN BASED ON THESE PERFORMANCES. SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS ARE AWARDED UPON PROOF OF ENROLLMENT, AND RECIPIENTS ARE FREE TO USE THE FUNDS AS THEY SEE FIT. THE STUDENT MATINEE EXPERIENCE FOR NEARLY A DECADE, CYGNET THEATRE HAS PROVIDED SAN DIEGO COUNTY K-12 STUDENTS WITH FREE MATINEE PERFORMANCES EACH SEASON. CYGNET THEATRE OFFERS FOUR STUDENT MATINEES PER SEASON, WHICH TEACHERS IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY CAN REGISTER THEIR CLASSES TO ATTEND. THESE FIELD TRIPS OFTEN INTRODUCE STUDENTS TO LIVE THEATER, EXPANDING THEIR WORLD AND CULTIVATING AN APPRECIATION FOR THE ARTS. EACH CYGNET PRODUCTION CONNECTS WITH SOME ASPECT OF THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE, MAKING IT UNIVERSALLY RELATABLE. IN-SCHOOL PRE-SHOW WORKSHOPS: THESE WORKSHOPS, ALIGNED WITH CALIFORNIA COMMON CORE AND SAN DIEGO UNIFIED VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS STANDARDS, HELP STUDENTS UNDERSTAND THE WORK INVOLVED IN PRODUCING A PROFESSIONAL SHOW. EACH WORKSHOP INCLUDES A VIBRANT, ENGAGING STUDY GUIDE THAT ENRICHES THE STUDENT EXPERIENCE. POST-SHOW TALKBACKS: AFTER EACH MATINEE, ACTORS RETURN TO THE STAGE FOR A DISCUSSION, ANSWERING STUDENTS' QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PLAY, THE PROFESSION, AND ANY OTHER TOPICS OF INTEREST. CYGNET ARTISTS IN THE SCHOOLS PRE-PROFESSIONAL PROGRAM: THIS EIGHT-WEEK ONSITE HIGH SCHOOL RESIDENCY PROVIDES AROUND 72 HOURS OF PROFESSIONAL INSTRUCTION. STUDENTS APPRENTICE UNDER THEATER PROFESSIONALS, FOCUSING ON SKILLS IN PRODUCTION, ORGANIZATION, AND TASK EXECUTION TO MEET INDUSTRY DEMANDS. AT THE PROGRAM'S END, STUDENTS EARN A CERTIFICATE OF ACHIEVEMENT. BEYOND THE BELL AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM: DESIGNED FOR STU

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 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 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 April 2003.

    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.

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.