North Carolina Performing Arts Center at Charlotte Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
TO PRESENT THE BEST IN THE PERFORMING ARTS AND, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OTHERS, SHARE AND EMPLOY THE ARTS AS A MAJOR CATALYST TO STRENGTHEN EDUCATION, BUILD COMMUNITY COHESIVENESS, AND ADVANCE ECONOMIC GROWTH.
- Income
- $48.0 million
- Spending
- $50.8 million
- Spent on programs
- 95%
- Reserves
- 4.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 83%
- Employees
- 795
- Volunteers
- 277
- Highest pay
- $765,574, president
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
Fair: 59 out of 100. Higher than 27% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 4.7 months of spending.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 31% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 6% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 2% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1595% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 19 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 34% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2530 of 30 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (1)
- $48.3 million spent. Blumenthal Arts made a profound impact in 2025, enriching the community, supporting artists, and driving economic growth across the Carolinas. As the region's premier arts destination and one of the nation's leading not-for-profit arts organizations, Blumenthal continued to expand access to the arts, welcome new audiences, and deliver meaningful cultural and economic value. In 2025, Blumenthal infused $96 million into the local economy, paid more than $650,000 directly to artists, and employed 795 people in support of world-class entertainment, immersive experiences, festivals, and educational programming. A major highlight of 2025 was the continued growth of Blume Studios, Blumenthal's immersive arts and experience hub. Life-Sized Monopoly enjoyed an extraordinary eight-month run, welcoming more than 41,000 ticketholders. Alongside it, The Magicians Table, an immersive theatrical magic experience, drew new audiences and expanded Blumenthal's reach beyond traditional performance formats. Together, these innovative offerings strengthened Blumenthal's role as a leader in experiential entertainment while generating significant local economic activity. Blumenthal's Broadway series remained a cornerstone of its impact, presenting the largest Broadway season in the Carolinas with more than 18 weeks of Broadway performances, as well as concerts, comedy, and special attractions across its Uptown venues. The Charlotte International Arts Festival (CIAF) further solidified Charlotte's place as a vibrant cultural capital, offering more than 200 events that engaged diverse audiences throughout the city and celebrated global artistic expression. Arts education and youth engagement remained central to Blumenthal's mission in 2025. The 12th annual Blumey Awards brought together students from 54 participating high schools across the region, celebrating excellence in musical theater performance, production, and technical achievement. Since the program's inception, the Blumey Awards have engaged more than 200,000 students at no cost, fostering artistic development, confidence, and career pathways for young performers and technicians. Blumenthal also expanded access to the arts through Blumenthal Bridges, a ticket-access program that reduces financial barriers and connects individuals, families, and community organizations to live performances and participatory arts experiences. Blumenthal Arts' work in 2025 reflects its continued commitment to accessibility, artistic excellence, community connection, and economic vitality.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since June 1988.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.