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Florida Cultural Group Inc

EIN 59-1196043 · Bradenton, FL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair65 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Florida Cultural Group, Inc. and its venue, Manatee Performing Arts Center, are the cultural anchor and economic drivers in the Florida Gulf Coast region. We provide for all ages affordable, high-quality and thought-provoking entertainment, as well as performance and technical-based education. In addition, we equip the community with ample meeting, event, and production space. We are committed to being the community's premier theater and the region's center for cultural, education, and artistic expression. Our team works tirelessly to ensure that we deliver engaging excellence for all ages, through the talent we present, the services we offer and the experience we create. Our goal is not just to entertain you, we want to inspire you.

Income
$9.5 million
Spending
$2.6 million
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
-22.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 85%
Employees
14
Volunteers
386
Highest pay
$138,166, ceo

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: 65 out of 100. Higher than 39% 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

    20 of 20

    It owes 12% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 73% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 107% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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

    15 of 15 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 (3)
  1. $1.7 million spent. Not only did our production program produce 99 in-house performances for hundreds of volunteer actors to discover their passions in acting, theatre lighting, and technical design we also hosted 54 professionally produced performances which included concerts, musicals, local dance companies, and band tributes. Totally 153 opportunities for the community to come to the Center to enjoy live entertainment. The Center is proud to provide free and affordable high quality live entertainment to the areas of at-risk youth and their families through our For Kids By Kids Program. Our Action through Acting initiative allows the Center to present on 6 socially misunderstood issues, on stage, through live theatre. Through the program we proudly partner with non-profits whose missions are to support and provide aid, based on socially misunderstood issues.
  2. $425,040 spent. The Center's Ballroom, gallery, and two theaters are utilized through our rental program for rehearsal space, nonprofit fundraisers, community meetings/forums, leadership and team building trainings, weddings, and more. In addition, costume and set pieces are also available for rent. We are the proud home to the Bradenton Kiwanis Club, who meet at the center for their weekly meetings.
  3. $137,688 spent. The Center's Conservatory for the Performing and Technical Arts Program consists of year-round theatrical education opportunities for ages 8-90. Directed by our professional artists and directors; participants have the opportunity to build social and communication skills, improve self-esteem, and boost confidence through participation in live theatre. Musical camps are a minimum of 2 weeks and are available throughout the year. Through the program, participants learn how to audition to participate in rehearsals and are a part of a minimum of 4 full-staged performances. One of the primary goals of this program is build a community of young performances and provide a safe environment for children to develop teamwork skills and confidence in front of a live audience. Our tech/theatre management program is designed to offer students a pre-professional experience in technical design or theatre management. Our DraMature program consists of actors ages 55+ that perform in various styles of productions and provide numerous community outreach programs in a variety of venues.

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 August 1951.

    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.