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Zachary Scott Theater Center

EIN 74-1369410 · Austin, TX

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak37 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

ZACH CREATES THEATER, EDUCATION, AND TRAINING PROGRAMS THAT IGNITE CONNECTION BETWEEN ARTISTS, AUDIENCES, STUDENTS, AND THE COMMUNITY.

Income
$10.5 million
Spending
$11.9 million
Spent on programs
61%
Reserves
-2.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 70%
Employees
275
Volunteers
400
Highest pay
$257,123, producing artistic 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

Weak: 37 out of 100. Higher than 6% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

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

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 41% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 13% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 12% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    61% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 33 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 34% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    52 of 52 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 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 (2)
  1. $5.7 million spent. MAINSTAGE THEATRE PRODUCTIONS: ZACH PROGRAMS A VARIETY OF PLAYS, MUSICALS, AND CONCERTS. 99,927 SERVED IN THE 2425 SEASON ACROSS MAINSTAGE, FAMILY, AND EDUCATION PRODUCTIONS. $4.9M IN TICKET SALE & $401K IN FEES. THIS PROGRAMMING UTILIZED VARIOUS DESIGNERS, PERFORMERS, AND DIRECTORS AND ARE PROGRAMMED WITH THE GOAL OF CREATING EXCEPTIONAL THEATRE EXPERIENCES THAT INSPIRE AND ENGAGE THE AUSTIN COMMUNITY.
  2. $1.5 million spent. EDUCATION SERVICES: CLASSES, CAMPS & OUTREACH WORKSHOPS ARE HELD FOR OVER 4,000 CHILDREN THROUGHOUT THE YEAR AT THE ZACH CAMPUS AND AT NEIGHBORING SCHOOLS AND ORGANIZATIONS. SOME CLASSES CULMINATE IN STUDENT PRODUCTIONS ATTENDED BY HUNDREDS OF PATRONS. ZACH ALSO PROGRAMS FAMILY PEFORMANCES THAT REACH OVER 25,278.

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 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 August 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 July 1933.

    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.