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Story Theater Company

EIN 76-0842889 · Ames, IA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood82 out of 100GovernanceFair65 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

STORY THEATER COMPNAY OFFERS QUALITY THEATRICAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR AREA CHILDREN AND PROVIDE THEM WITH POSITIVE ROLE MODELS WHO TEACH THE FUNDAMENTALS OF THEATER IN A WELCOMING ENVIRONMENT THAT ENCOURAGES SELF- CONFIDENCE, RESPONSIBILITY, TEAMWORK AND INCLUSION OF ALL.

Income
$209,154
Spending
$205,921
Spent on programs
93%
Reserves
4.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 42%
Employees
3
Volunteers
50
Highest pay
$2,635, president

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 82 out of 100. Higher than 63% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    93% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 14 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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. $121,993 spent. CHILDREN'S THEATER PRODUCTIONS: TO OFFER QUALITY THEATRICAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHILDREN IN AMES AND THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES THROUGH THEATER PERFORMANCES WITH POSITIVE ROLE MODELS WHO TEACH THE FUNDAMENTALS OF THEATER IN A POSITIVE AND WELCOMING ENVIRONMENT THAT ENCOURAGES SELF CONFIDENCE, RESPONSIBILITY AND TEAMWORK.
  2. $69,529 spent. CHILDREN'S THEATER WORKSHOPS: TO OFFER QUALITY THEATRICAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHILDREN IN AMES AND THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES THROUGH WORKSHOPS WITH POSITIVE ROLE MODELS WHO TEACH THE FUNDAMENTALS OF THEATER IN A POSITIVE AND WELCOMING ENVIRONMENT THAT ENCOURAGES SELF CONFIDENCE, RESPONSIBILITY AND TEAMWORK.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 December 2024.

    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 February 2007.

    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.