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Chattanooga Theatre Centre Inc

EIN 62-0273170 · Chattanooga, TN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair50 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

FOUNDED IN 1923, THE CHATTANOOGA THEATRE CENTRE IS A NONPROFIT COMMUNITY THEATRE CELEBRATING ITS 102ND SEASON OF BRINGING QUALITY THEATRE PRODUCTIONS, CLASSES, AND WORKSHOPS TO THE CITIZENS OF CHATTANOOGA AND SURROUNDING AREAS. THE MISSION OF THE CHATTANOOGA THEATRE CENTRE IS TO ENRICH THE CULTURAL, INTELLECTUAL, AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF PEOPLE OF ALL AGES BY PROVIDING HIGH QUALITY THEATRICAL EXPERIENCES AND CREATING OPPORTUNITIES TO ENGAGE IN THEM.

Income
$1.6 million
Spending
$1.8 million
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
-0.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 72%
Employees
0
Volunteers
1,550
Highest pay
$84,509, executive director

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: 50 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 15% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 17% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    89% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Good: 85 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

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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 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)
  1. $1.6 million spent. ONE OF THE LARGEST ARTS ORGANIZATIONS IN CHATTANOOGA, ONE OF THE LONGEST RUNNING THEATRES IN THE SOUTHEAST, AND ONE OF THE LARGEST COMMUNITY THEATRES IN THE COUNTRY, THE CHATTANOOGA THEATRE CENTRE WAS FOUNDED IN 1923 ON THE BELIEF THAT THE ARTS ARE A SHARED EXPERIENCE THAT DELIGHTS, INSPIRES, MOVES, AND EDUCATES.THROUGH THEATRICAL PRODUCTIONS PRESENTED BY AND FOR CHATTANOOGANS OF ALL AGES, ALONG WITH ROBUST DRAMA CLASSES AND PROGRAMS, THE CHATTANOOGA THEATRE CENTRE STRIVES TO PLAY A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN MAKING CHATTANOOGA A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE, WORK, AND PLAY.

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

  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 August 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 May 1952.

    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.