Fort Worth Opera Association Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The mission of Fort Worth Opera is to enrich peoples lives with performances and programs that educate entertain inspire and expand the horizons of current and future audiences. Fort Worth Opera is committed to producing opera of the highest possible artistic quality and integrity; to identifying and training talented young American singers; to serving as a crucible for creating new American operas; to joining forces with other arts organizations in significant collaborations; and to stimulating curiosity and creativity in people of all ages through its Education Program.
- Income
- $1.9 million
- Spending
- $2.3 million
- Spent on programs
- 66%
- Reserves
- -1.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 80%
- Employees
- 59
- Volunteers
- 35
- Highest pay
- $170,000, general and artistic director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 17 out of 100. Higher than 1% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
2 of 20It owes 97% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 21% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 35% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1566% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 28 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 78 out of 100. Higher than 29% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2525 of 25 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
0 of 7Reports no 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 June 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 (3)
- $1.1 million spent. Fort Worth Operas programming engages audiences through a balanced season of compelling mainstage productions. During the 2024-25 season the company presented a dynamic blend of classical repertoire with its mainstage featuring Gioachino Rossinis La Cenerentola Cinderella alongside composer-librettist Mark Adamos adaptation of Louisa May Alcotts beloved coming-of-age novel Little Women offering audiences both the energy of operatic tradition and the emotional immediacy of modern storytelling. The season also included the prestigious biennial McCammon Voice Competition reinforcing Fort Worth Operas role as a national leader in the discovery and development of emerging vocal talent.
- $283,689 spent. FWOs education department not only includes the Childrens Opera Theatre in existence for over 30 yrs but also Civic Impact and Engagement performances too. This allows FWO to not only reach children in area schools but also at events both adults and children are gathered. This years education & outreach fall shows were Frida Kahlo and the bravest girl in the world and Three Little Pigs. Also FWO produced a 90-minute English adaptation of Gaetano Donizettis The Elixir of Love featuring the Resident Artists. The project gave students hands-on exposure to opera as a theatrical and musical art form emphasizing collaboration creativity and professional practice. A holiday classic Amahl and the Night Visitors was also presented.
- $118,889 spent. The Fort Worth Opera Studio founded in 2002 includes four young Hattie Mae Lesley Resident Artists chosen each year from national auditions to be in residence with Fort Worth Opera in order to continue their training as they prepare for professional careers. They perform in the FWO childrens Opera Theater in addition to roles in our main productions and civic impact shows. Additionally these young artists receive lessons and coaching language and movement classes as well as classes on Opera as a business.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 June 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 April 1948.
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.