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Nashville Shakespeare Festival

EIN 58-1807951 · Nashville, TN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair60 out of 100GovernanceStrong92 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF THE NASHVILLE SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL IS TO EDUCATE AND ENTERTAIN THE MID-SOUTH COMMUNITY THROUGH PROFESSIONAL THEATRICAL EXPERIENCES.

Income
$649,889
Spending
$749,952
Spent on programs
77%
Reserves
2.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 59%
Employees
46
Volunteers
200
Highest pay
$77,785, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 60 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 10% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 15% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    77% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 17 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 92 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    21 of 21 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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 September 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. $437,410 spent. PROFESSIONAL THEATRICAL PRODUCTIONS FOR THE PUBLIC AND FOR SCHOOLS.WE PRODUCED A FIVE-WEEK FREE OUTDOOR PRODUCTION OF SHAKESPEARE'S "MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR, AND A TWO-WEEK INDOOR PRODUCTION OF "PRIDE & PREJUDICE," THESE PROGRAMS SERVED7,130 PEOPLE.
  2. $72,811 spent. EDUCATIONAL PERFORMANCES AND WORKSHOPS FOR SCHOOLS.WE PRODUCED EDUCATIONAL PERFORMANCES OF "MACBETH," WITH ACCOMPANYING IN-CLASSROOM WORKSHOPS, AS WELL AS RESIDENCIES AND OTHER IN-SCHOOL ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS, INCLUDING ONLINE PRODUCTIONS AVAILABLE FREE TO SCHOOLS. THESE PROGRAMS SERVED 2,683 PEOPLE.
  3. $68,912 spent. CLASSES AND OUTREACH FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS.WE PROVIDED A VARIETY OF CAMPS, CLASSES, RESIDENCIES, ONLINE MATERIALS, AND COACHING, TEACHING ACTING, THEATRE SKILLS, AND OTHER ENRICHMENT TO AMATEURS, PROFESSIONALS, AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC. THESE PROGRAMS SERVED 6,636 PEOPLE.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 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 September 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 February 1989.

    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.