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Pensacola Opera Inc

EIN 59-2387417 · Pensacola, FL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak34 out of 100GovernanceGood75 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF PENSACOLA OPERA IS TO ENRICH THE CULTURE OF NORTHWEST FLORIDA BY PRODUCING PROFESSIONAL OPERA PERFORMANCES, EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND OTHER OPERA-RELATED COMMUNITY EVENTS FOR PEOPLE OF ALL AGES, INTERESTS AND BACKGROUNDS.

Income
$1.4 million
Spending
$1.5 million
Spent on programs
72%
Reserves
-5.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 55%
Employees
7
Volunteers
90

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 34 out of 100. Higher than 6% 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

    10 of 20

    It owes 44% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 7% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 13% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    72% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 21 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 25% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    31 of 31 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Independent check of accounts

    9 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 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 (2)
  1. $1.1 million spent. 2023 MAINSTAGE PRODUCTIONS WERE PUCCINI'S LA BOHEME ON JANUARY 20 & 23, 2023 AND ROGERS AND HAMMERSTEIN'S CAROUSEL ON MARCH 17 & 19, 2023. PERFORMANCES WERE PRESENTED AT THE SAENGER THEATRE. IN CELEBRATION OF THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY THE OPERA PERFORMED A ONE NIGHT ONLY CONCERT FORTY FORWARD ON NOVEMBER 12, 2022 AT THE SAENGER THEATRE.
  2. DURING THE 2022/2023 SEASON, 126 EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMS REACHED OVER 25,000 STUDENTS, TEACHERS, ADMINISTRATORS, AND ADULTS. PINOCCHIO, OPERA UP CLOSE, AND FROM WORDS TO MUSIC REACHED 17,800 STUDENTS AND TEACHERS. EDUCATIONAL LUNCHEONS, BROWN BAG OPERA, POURS AND ENCORES, OPERA AFTER DARK, RECITALS AND OPERA POP-UP PERFORMANCES REACHED OVER 14,000 AUDIENCE MEMBERS. OVERTURE OPERA CAMP SUMMER CAMPS SERVED 25 CAMPERS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 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 July 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 May 1984.

    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.