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Paramount Theatre for the Performing Arts Inc

EIN 74-1774711 · Austin, TX

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceGood88 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WE'RE HERE TO INSPIRE GENERATIONS. WE CONNECT PEOPLE AND STRENGTHEN COMMUNITY BY SHOWCASING UNFORGETTABLE PERFORMANCES ACROSS GENRES, PROVIDING LIFE-CHANGING ARTS EDUCATION PROGRAMS, AND DREAMING UP MAGICAL EXPERIENCES IN ICONIC VENUES THAT ANCHOR AND DEFINE DOWNTOWN AUSTIN.

Income
$1.8 million
Spending
$85,498
Spent on programs
100%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
other income, 100%
Employees
0
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$393,650, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 89% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 95% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 5% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    100% of spending went to programs.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 88 out of 100. Higher than 47% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    3 of 4 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 September 30, 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. $85,498 spent. ORIGINALLY OPENED AS A VAUDEVILLE HOUSE IN 1915, THE HISTORIC PARAMOUNT THEATRE HAS BEEN A SECOND HOME FOR GENERATIONS OF AUSTINITES TO GATHER, CONNECT, AND GET INSPIRED. THE THEATRE IS STILL A CORNERSTONE OF THE AUSTIN ARTS SCENE TODAY. THIS ARCHITECTURAL TREASURE OFFERS STUNNING ORIGINAL FEATURES STILL INTACT AND IN USE, INCREDIBLE ACOUSTICS FOR LIVE PERFORMANCE, AND CAPABILITIES TO SCREEN FILMS IN DIGITAL, 70MM, AND 35MM. WHILE HUNDREDS OF SHOWS ARE PRESENTED HERE EVERY YEAR, THE THEATRE IS SO MUCH MORE THAN A VENUE. OVER 15,000 CENTRAL TEXAS STUDENTS VISIT THE THEATRE ANNUALLY THROUGH PARAMOUNT EDUCATION PROGRAMS; THE ATA PRODUCED MOONTOWER JUST FOR LAUGHS FESTIVAL IS HELD HERE EVERY APRIL, ONE OF THE LARGEST COMEDY FESTIVALS IN THE NATION; IT HOSTS THE STAR-STUDDED WORLD PREMIERES OF SXSW, AUSTIN FILM FESTIVAL, AND BEYOND; PROGRAMS THE SUMMER CLASSIC FILM SERIES, NOW IN ITS 49TH YEAR; PARTNERS WITH 100+ LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS TO REMOVE ECONOMIC BARRIERS TO ACCESSING THE ARTS THROUGH COMMUNITY PROGRAMS; AND WORKS WITH EXPERTS TO ENSURE THE CAREFUL PRESERVATION OF AUSTIN HISTORY. THE PARAMOUNT IS ONE OF ONLY 20 THEATRES LEFT IN THE COUNTRY OVER 100 YEARS OLD AND STILL IN USE AS A VENUE.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 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 September 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 December 1975.

    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.