Stapleton School of Performing Arts
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Instruction in the performing arts - dance and theater
- Income
- $1.2 million
- Spending
- $1.2 million
- Spent on programs
- 72%
- Reserves
- 3.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 89%
- Employees
- 28
- Volunteers
- 7
- Highest pay
- $129,388, exec art dir
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 78 out of 100. Higher than 58% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 3.9 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 2% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 2% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 7% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1572% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 21 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 257 of 7 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
0 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 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)
- $894,099 spent. The organization continued its mission of providing accessible performing arts education through dance, theater, and outreach programs serving children, youth, and adults. During the year, approximately 450 students participated in the organization's programs. The organization maintained its scholarship assistance program, providing full and partial scholarships, tuition assistance, and flexible payment arrangements to ensure that financial hardship does not prevent participation in the performing arts. During the year, approximately 25 students received scholarship assistance with a total value of approximately $30,000.The dance program continued to provide year-round instruction for students ages 3 through 18 and produced two annual performance weekends in addition to a weekend of recitals. The theater program expanded its educational offerings by adding classes and presenting three weeks of theatrical performances during the year. The adult education program also continued to grow, offering weekly classes and expanding opportunities for adult participation in the performing arts.During the year, the organization launched the Opening Night Program, an outreach initiative designed to bring theater and dance education to schools without existing performing arts programs. Through this program, the organization conducted workshops and introductory classes at more than 10 schools and established relationships that resulted in partnerships with two schools for ongoing programming in the upcoming year. Students participating in Opening Night are invited to attend complimentary classes at the organization's facility, and students demonstrating exceptional interest or talent may be considered for scholarship assistance. The program expands access to arts education and creates pathways for underserved students to participate in ongoing performing arts training.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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.
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.
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.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since November 1991.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.