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Marin Shakespeare Company

EIN 68-0201240 · San Rafael, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong93 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WITH SHAKESPEARE AS OUR ENDLESS INSPIRATION, OUR MISSION IS TO SERVE AS A VIBRANT CATALYST FOR CULTURAL ENGAGEMENT, EDUCATION, AND SOCIAL JUSTICE TO BENEFIT THE PEOPLE OF MARIN COUNTY, THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA, AND BEYOND.

Income
$2.0 million
Spending
$1.8 million
Spent on programs
67%
Reserves
8.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 39%
Employees
143
Volunteers
50
Highest pay
$125,000, executive dir.

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

Financial health

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 80% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 12% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 33% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    67% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 56% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 13 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

    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 October 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. $1.2 million spent. MARIN SHAKESPEARE COMPANY PRESENTS A SUMMER SEASON AT THE FOREST MEADOWS AMPHITHEATRE ON THE CAMPUS OF DOMINICAN UNIVERSITY IN SAN RAFAEL, AND YEAR-ROUND PERFORMANCES AND EVENTS AT THEIR DOWNTOWN THEATER AT 514 FOURTH STREET IN SAN RAFAEL. CLASSES IN ACTING AND OTHER THEATRE SKILLS ARE OFFERED TO STUDENTS AGED FIVE TO ADULT YEAR-ROUND. CLASSES INCLUDE IN-SCHOOL CREATIVE DRAMATICS FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS, IN-SCHOOL SHAKESPEARE WORKSHOPS FOR MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOLS, AFTER-SCHOOL CLASSES FOR YOUTH, SUMMER CAMPS FOR AGES 519, AND TRAINING PROGRAMS IN PERFORMANCE AND TECHNICAL THEATRE. MSC ALSO OFFERS PERFORMANCES FOR STUDENT AUDIENCES AT BOTH THE OUTDOOR AND INDOOR VENUES. MSC HAS PROVIDED REHABILITATIVE THEATRE PROGRAMS IN CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES SINCE 2003, INCLUDING CLASSES IN SHAKESPEARE, AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL STORYTELLING, ACTING FOR VETERANS, AND DRAMA THERAPY-INSPIRED ANGER MANAGEMENT. THEY ALSO HOST VARIOUS SPECIAL EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending October 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 October 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 March 1995.

    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.