Co Lab Theater Group Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
CO/LAB Theater Group Inc, is an IRS 510(c)(3) nonprofit organization, incorporated pursuant to New York State law, which is dedicated to offering Creative Opportunities without Limits And Boundaries. The organization exists to offer individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) a creative and social outlet through theater arts.. CO_LAB creates a safe, judgment-free, and neuro-diverse environment where participants express themselves in class and on stage, and also serve as leaders in our organization and in the NYC theatre community. Our programs encourage actors to both collaborate as an ensemble and discover their individual voices. CO_LAB's programming is offered free or low-cost to participants, and serves individuals of all ages who identify as having any developmental disability, including, but not limited to autism, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, and PDD-NOS.
- Income
- $788,009
- Spending
- $759,082
- Spent on programs
- 63%
- Reserves
- 1.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 72%
- Employees
- 40
- Volunteers
- 67
- Highest pay
- $18,439, executive 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
Fair: 68 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 1.2 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 9% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 4% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 113% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1563% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 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
Strong: 97 out of 100. Higher than 91% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 259 of 9 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
12 of 15Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.
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)
- $370,151 spent. CO_LAB Core: This program provides weekly theater classes-each serving between 12 and 15 actors, workshops, and community events for youth, adults, and seniors with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Core programming is offered free of charge to participants in Downtown Brooklyn and Midtown Manhattan. Classroom work engages actors in a mix of auditory, visual, and kinesthetic experiences, and encourages actors' development over multiple years. Each class culminates in a public, professional Off-Broadway showing of an original work that's devised by and for disabled actors.
- $80,985 spent. CO_LAB Connect: Our outreach program delivers on-site residencies and workshops for schools, agencies, and centers serving individuals with developmental disabilities, including NYC District 75 Public Schools. working with partners to offer inclusive, accessible programming for those for whom travel poses a barrier. Current and recent partners include Camp PALS, The Guild for Exceptional Children, Heartshare, AHRC, The Cooke School, Lincoln Center, NYC Autism Charter School, and P.S. 811X, among others.
- $24,178 spent. CO_LAB Leaders: Guided by the Disability Justice Tenet Nothing about us, without us, our Leaders program provides seasoned CO_LAB actors with paid professional development and employment opportunities. Leaders are paid up to $45 an hour, more than double New York City's minimum wage, and are employed to support classes, represent CO_LAB at community events, network with theater professionals, co-facilitate Sharing the Stage, our professional development workshop that promotes accessible practices for external organizations, and engage in long-term planning of our organization's future.
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 October 13, 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 October 2012.
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 October 21, 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.