Waco Theater Center
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- Raising each dollar of donations cost 137 cents.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
WACO (WHERE ART CAN OCCUR) THEATER CENTER IS A PERFORMING AND VISUAL ARTS ORGANIZATION THAT PRESENTS, COMMISSIONS AND DEVELOPS ARTISTIC WORKS DEDICATED TO STORIES OF THE AFRICAN DIASPORA. CO-FOUNDED BY RICHARD LAWSON AND TINA KNOWLES, WACO PROVIDES ARTISTS AND YOUNG PEOPLE A PLATFORM TO VOICE AND SHOWCASE THEIR CREATIVITY TO CONNECT AND INSPIRE OTHERS. WACO'S ARTISTIC AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS ARE DRIVEN BY FOUR VALUES. WE CREATE WORK THAT UNAPOLOGETICALLY: CENTERS BLACK ART AND CULTURE FROM A DIASPORIC LENS AND VOICE; INCUBATES AND LAUNCHES NEW CREATIVE IDEAS TO MEMORIALIZE THE PAST AND ENVISION THE FUTURE OF BLACK LIFE; IS COLLABORATIVE AND LEADS WITH AN UBUNTU MINDSET, "I AM, BECAUSE WE ARE- AND SERVES THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY INCLUDING THE SOCIAL, ECONOMIC, AND CIVIC PRIORITIES OF OUR NEIGHBORS AND BLACK LOS ANGELES. NOW IN OUR EIGHTH SEASON, WE HAVE CONTINUED TO ELEVATE AN EMPHASIS ON THE HISTORY OF THE AFRICAN DIASPORA AND CULTURE IN OUR PROGRAMMING. WE FIRMLY BELIEVE IN THE POWER
- Income
- $143,808
- Spending
- $2.0 million
- Spent on programs
- 79%
- Reserves
- 2.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- investment income, 33%
- Employees
- 10
- Volunteers
- 10
- Highest pay
- $125,500, executive di
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: 30 out of 100. Higher than 8% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 2.9 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 8% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 1297% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 89% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 1579% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 137 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 92% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).
Independent board
25 of 255 of 6 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.
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 (5)
- $1.2 million spent. WACO'S MOST AMBITIOUS PROGRAMMATIC UNDERTAKING OF FY25 WAS THE CONTINUED DEVELOPMENT OF STILL HERE - A DUAL-PLATFORM CREATIVE INTERVENTION THAT EXISTS AT THE INTERSECTION OF ART, ADVOCACY, AND PUBLIC HEALTH. STILL HERE IS BOTH A WRITTEN PUBLICATION AND A LIVE PERFORMANCE EXPERIENCE, AND TOGETHER THEY FORM A POWERFUL, UNAPOLOGETIC RESPONSE TO ONE OF THE MOST UNDERREPORTED HEALTH CRISES FACING BLACK WOMEN TODAY: THE RISING RATE OF HIV DIAGNOSES IN BLACK COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY. THE STILL HERE MAGAZINE WAS COMPLETED FOR PRINTING DURING THIS FISCAL YEAR - A LANDMARK ACHIEVEMENT REPRESENTING MONTHS OF CREATIVE LABOR AND COMMUNITY COLLABORATION. THE PUBLICATION FEATURES STORIES COMMISSIONED FROM 32 BLACK WOMEN WRITERS, EACH BRINGING A DISTINCT VOICE, PERSPECTIVE, AND LIVED EXPERIENCE TO THE PAGE. THE RESULT IS NOT A CLINICAL HEALTH RESOURCE. IT IS A LIVING DOCUMENT - PART ANTHOLOGY, PART RESOURCE GUIDE, PART LOVE LETTER TO BLACK WOMEN - THAT MEETS READERS WITH HONESTY, DIGNITY, AND CARE. THE MAGAZINE IS DESIGNED TO REDUCE STIGMA, SPARK CONVERSATION, AND AFFIRM THE LIVES OF WOMEN WHO HAVE TOO OFTEN BEEN RENDERED INVISIBLE IN BOTH MAINSTREAM MEDIA AND PUBLIC HEALTH DISCOURSE. ALONGSIDE THE MAGAZINE, THE STILL HERE LIVE EXPERIENCE WAS DEVELOPED FOR THE STAGE - A ONE-OF-A-KIND 360-DEGREE PERFORMANCE THAT FUSES STORYTELLING, VIDEO, MUSIC, AND DANCE INTO AN IMMERSIVE THEATRICAL ENCOUNTER BROUGHT TO LIFE INSIDE A HAIR SALON, ONE OF THE MOST SACRED AND TRUSTED COMMUNAL SPACES IN BLACK WOMEN'S LIVES. A TEAM OF 20 CREATIVE COLLABORATORS - INCLUDING ACTORS, DIRECTORS, A CHOREOGRAPHER, A MULTIMEDIA ARTIST, A HAIR ARTIST, A VISUAL ARTIST, AND A COSTUME DESIGNER - CAME TOGETHER TO BUILD THIS EXPERIENCE FROM THE GROUND UP THROUGH A DEVISED, COHORT-BASED CREATIVE PROCESS. STILL HERE LIVE IS POWERED BY THE VOICES OF LOCAL AND NATIONAL ACTIVISTS AND ADVOCATES WHO REFUSE TO LET THIS CONVERSATION REMAIN IN THE SHADOWS. THE PRODUCTION IS SCHEDULED TO MAKE ITS LOS ANGELES DEBUT IN SEPTEMBER 2025, WITH A NATIONAL TOUR TO BATON ROUGE AND ATLANTA IN 2026 - BRINGING THIS VITAL WORK TO THE COMMUNITIES THAT NEED IT MOST WACO'S MOST AMBITIOUS PROGRAMMATIC UNDERTAKING OF FY25 WAS THE CONTINUED DEVELOPMENT OF STILL HERE - A DUAL-PLATFORM CREATIVE INTERVENTION THAT EXISTS AT THE INTERSECTION OF ART, ADVOCACY, AND PUBLIC HEALTH. STILL HERE IS BOTH A WRITTEN PUBLICATION AND A LIVE PERFORMANCE EXPERIENCE, AND TOGETHER THEY FORM A POWERFUL, UNAPOLOGETIC RESPONSE TO ONE OF THE MOST UNDERREPORTED HEALTH CRISES FACING BLACK WOMEN TODAY: THE RISING RATE OF HIV DIAGNOSES IN BLACK COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY. THE STILL HERE MAGAZINE WAS COMPLETED FOR PRINTING DURING THIS FISCAL YEAR - A LANDMARK ACHIEVEMENT REPRESENTING MONTHS OF CREATIVE LABOR AND COMMUNITY COLLABORATION. THE PUBLICATION FEATURES STORIES COMMISSIONED FROM 32 BLACK WOMEN WRITERS, EACH BRINGING A DISTINCT VOICE, PERSPECTIVE, AND LIVED EXPERIENCE TO THE PAGE. THE RESULT IS NOT A CLINICAL HEALTH RESOURCE. IT IS A LIVING DOCUMENT - PART ANTHOLOGY, PART RESOURCE GUIDE, PART LOVE LETTER TO BLACK WOMEN - THAT MEETS READERS WITH HONESTY, DIGNITY, AND CARE. THE MAGAZINE IS DESIGNED TO REDUCE STIGMA, SPARK CONVERSATION, AND AFFIRM THE LIVES OF WOMEN WHO HAVE TOO OFTEN BEEN RENDERED INVISIBLE IN BOTH MAINSTREAM MEDIA AND PUBLIC HEALTH DISCOURSE. ALONGSIDE THE MAGAZINE, THE STILL HERE LIVE EXPERIENCE WAS DEVELOPED FOR THE STAGE - A ONE-OF-A-KIND 360-DEGREE PERFORMANCE THAT FUSES STORYTELLING, VIDEO, MUSIC, AND DANCE INTO AN IMMERSIVE THEATRICAL ENCOUNTER BROUGHT TO LIFE INSIDE A HAIR SALON, ONE OF THE MOST SACRED AND TRUSTED COMMUNAL SPACES IN BLACK WOMEN'S LIVES. A TEAM OF 20 CREATIVE COLLABORATORS - INCLUDING ACTORS, DIRECTORS, A CHOREOGRAPHER, A MULTIMEDIA ARTIST, A HAIR ARTIST, A VISUAL ARTIST, AND A COSTUME DESIGNER - CAME TOGETHER TO BUILD THIS EXPERIENCE FROM THE GROUND UP THROUGH A DEVISED, COHORT-BASED CREATIVE PROCESS. STILL HERE LIVE IS POWERED BY THE VOICES OF LOCAL AND NATIONAL ACTIVISTS AND ADVOCATES WHO REFUSE TO LET THIS CONVERSATION REMAIN IN THE SHADOWS. THE PRODUCTION IS SCHEDULED TO MAKE ITS LOS ANGELES DEBUT IN SEPTEMBER 2025, WITH A NATIONAL TOUR TO BATON ROUGE AND ATLANTA IN 2026 - BRINGING THIS VITAL WORK TO THE COMMUNITIES THAT NEED IT MOST
- $180,198 spent. WACO'S EDUCATION PROGRAM, THE ANGELS AND WARRIORS MENTORSHIP PROGRAM, IS BUILT ON A SIMPLE BUT RADICAL BELIEF: EVERY YOUNG PERSON DESERVES TO BE SEEN, SUPPORTED, AND EQUIPPED TO PURSUE THEIR FULLEST POTENTIAL. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES COMPREHENSIVE WRAP-AROUND SERVICES DESIGNED TO FACILITATE PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT AND GROWTH FOR YOUNG PEOPLE FROM 8TH GRADE THROUGH COLLEGE - MEETING THEM WHERE THEY ARE AND WALKING ALONGSIDE THEM AS THEY GROW. AT THE CORE OF ANGELS AND WARRIORS IS THE WORK OF HELPING YOUNG PEOPLE IDENTIFY THEIR DREAMS AND THEN BUILDING THE CLARITY, DISCIPLINE, AND SKILL TO ACTUALLY ACHIEVE THEM. THIS IS NOT A PASSIVE PROGRAM. IT IS AN ACTIVE, RELATIONAL INVESTMENT IN THE NEXT GENERATION OF BLACK ARTISTS, LEADERS, AND CHANGE-MAKERS. THROUGH MENTORSHIP, PARTICIPANTS DEVELOP NOT ONLY ARTISTIC SKILLS BUT THE CONFIDENCE AND SELF-AWARENESS TO NAVIGATE THE WORLD ON THEIR OWN TERMS. THE PROGRAM CURRICULUM IS INTENTIONALLY EXPANSIVE - EXTENDING BEYOND CLASSROOM WALLS THROUGH OFF-SITE FIELD TRIPS, HANDS-ON WORKSHOPS, AND MEANINGFUL ENCOUNTERS WITH GUEST ARTISTS. THESE EXPERIENCES EXPOSE YOUNG PEOPLE TO THE FULL BREADTH OF CAREERS AVAILABLE IN THE ARTS WHILE FOSTERING A DEEP APPRECIATION FOR CREATIVE EXPRESSION AS BOTH A PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL PATH. ANGELS AND WARRIORS DOESN'T JUST DEVELOP ARTISTS - IT DEVELOPS WHOLE PEOPLE. WACO'S EDUCATION PROGRAM, THE ANGELS AND WARRIORS MENTORSHIP PROGRAM, IS BUILT ON A SIMPLE BUT RADICAL BELIEF: EVERY YOUNG PERSON DESERVES TO BE SEEN, SUPPORTED, AND EQUIPPED TO PURSUE THEIR FULLEST POTENTIAL. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES COMPREHENSIVE WRAP-AROUND SERVICES DESIGNED TO FACILITATE PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT AND GROWTH FOR YOUNG PEOPLE FROM 8TH GRADE THROUGH COLLEGE - MEETING THEM WHERE THEY ARE AND WALKING ALONGSIDE THEM AS THEY GROW. AT THE CORE OF ANGELS AND WARRIORS IS THE WORK OF HELPING YOUNG PEOPLE IDENTIFY THEIR DREAMS AND THEN BUILDING THE CLARITY, DISCIPLINE, AND SKILL TO ACTUALLY ACHIEVE THEM. THIS IS NOT A PASSIVE PROGRAM. IT IS AN ACTIVE, RELATIONAL INVESTMENT IN THE NEXT GENERATION OF BLACK ARTISTS, LEADERS, AND CHANGE-MAKERS. THROUGH MENTORSHIP, PARTICIPANTS DEVELOP NOT ONLY ARTISTIC SKILLS BUT THE CONFIDENCE AND SELF-AWARENESS TO NAVIGATE THE WORLD ON THEIR OWN TERMS. THE PROGRAM CURRICULUM IS INTENTIONALLY EXPANSIVE - EXTENDING BEYOND CLASSROOM WALLS THROUGH OFF-SITE FIELD TRIPS, HANDS-ON WORKSHOPS, AND MEANINGFUL ENCOUNTERS WITH GUEST ARTISTS. THESE EXPERIENCES EXPOSE YOUNG PEOPLE TO THE FULL BREADTH OF CAREERS AVAILABLE IN THE ARTS WHILE FOSTERING A DEEP APPRECIATION FOR CREATIVE EXPRESSION AS BOTH A PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL PATH. ANGELS AND WARRIORS DOESN'T JUST DEVELOP ARTISTS - IT DEVELOPS WHOLE PEOPLE.
- $111,750 spent. AS WACO DEEPENS ITS ROOTS IN LEIMERT PARK AHEAD OF OUR VENUE TRANSITION, OUR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM THIS YEAR WAS ANCHORED BY THE OUR VISION PORTRAIT AND ARCHIVE CAMPAIGN - AN EXPANSIVE, PARTICIPATORY INITIATIVE DEDICATED TO DOCUMENTING THE SPIRIT, FACES, AND STORIES OF THE LEIMERT PARK COMMUNITY IN A PERMANENT, PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE ARCHIVE. THE CAMPAIGN WAS BUILT ON THE CONVICTION THAT COMMUNITY MEMBERS ARE NOT JUST THE AUDIENCE FOR ART - THEY ARE THE ART ITSELF. EVERY PORTRAIT, EVERY ORAL HISTORY, EVERY PLANNING CONVERSATION WAS AN ACT OF CULTURAL PRESERVATION, ENSURING THAT THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE SHAPED THIS NEIGHBORHOOD ARE SEEN, HONORED, AND REMEMBERED. THE RESULTS SPEAK TO THE DEPTH OF COMMUNITY TRUST AND PARTICIPATION THE CAMPAIGN GENERATED: 135+ PORTRAITS WERE CAPTURED, EACH ONE A TESTAMENT TO THE PRESENCE, BEAUTY, AND RESILIENCE OF LEIMERT PARK'S COMMUNITY MEMBERS. THESE ARE NOT PASSIVE IMAGES - THEY ARE DECLARATIONS OF EXISTENCE, GATHERED WITH INTENTION AND CARE. 60 MINI ORAL HISTORIES WERE COLLECTED THROUGH INTIMATE CONVERSATIONS WITH PARTICIPANTS - PRESERVING PERSONAL NARRATIVES, NEIGHBORHOOD MEMORIES, AND COMMUNITY WISDOM THAT MIGHT OTHERWISE GO UNDOCUMENTED. THE CAMPAIGN WAS GROUNDED IN GENUINE COMMUNITY PROCESS, NOT TOP-DOWN PROGRAMMING. 5 PLANNING MEETINGS WERE HELD WITH COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND PARTNERS TO COLLABORATIVELY GUIDE AND SHAPE THE DIRECTION OF THE INITIATIVE. 2 ORAL HISTORY TABLING SESSIONS WERE HOSTED AT THE BELOVED SUNDAY MARKETPLACE, CREATING LOW-BARRIER, ACCESSIBLE OPPORTUNITIES FOR NEIGHBORS TO SHARE THEIR STORIES ON THEIR OWN TERMS. AND 1 PORTRAIT SHOOT ACTIVATION BROUGHT THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER IN A CELEBRATORY GATHERING WHERE PARTICIPANTS WERE PHOTOGRAPHED AS PART OF BOTH THE EXHIBITION AND THE PERMANENT ARCHIVE. THE CULMINATING EXHIBITION NOW LIVES ON THE OUTDOOR WALLS OF A BUILDING IN LEIMERT PARK - A PUBLIC, PERMANENT INSTALLATION THAT TRANSFORMS THE NEIGHBORHOOD ITSELF INTO A GALLERY. IT IS VISIBLE TO EVERY PERSON WHO WALKS THOSE STREETS, A DAILY REMINDER THAT THIS COMMUNITY'S HISTORY, BEAUTY, AND HUMANITY ARE WORTH DISPLAYING FOR THE WORLD TO SEE. AS WACO DEEPENS ITS ROOTS IN LEIMERT PARK AHEAD OF OUR VENUE TRANSITION, OUR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM THIS YEAR WAS ANCHORED BY THE OUR VISION PORTRAIT AND ARCHIVE CAMPAIGN - AN EXPANSIVE, PARTICIPATORY INITIATIVE DEDICATED TO DOCUMENTING THE SPIRIT, FACES, AND STORIES OF THE LEIMERT PARK COMMUNITY IN A PERMANENT, PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE ARCHIVE. THE CAMPAIGN WAS BUILT ON THE CONVICTION THAT COMMUNITY MEMBERS ARE NOT JUST THE AUDIENCE FOR ART - THEY ARE THE ART ITSELF. EVERY PORTRAIT, EVERY ORAL HISTORY, EVERY PLANNING CONVERSATION WAS AN ACT OF CULTURAL PRESERVATION, ENSURING THAT THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE SHAPED THIS NEIGHBORHOOD ARE SEEN, HONORED, AND REMEMBERED. THE RESULTS SPEAK TO THE DEPTH OF COMMUNITY TRUST AND PARTICIPATION THE CAMPAIGN GENERATED: 135+ PORTRAITS WERE CAPTURED, EACH ONE A TESTAMENT TO THE PRESENCE, BEAUTY, AND RESILIENCE OF LEIMERT PARK'S COMMUNITY MEMBERS. THESE ARE NOT PASSIVE IMAGES - THEY ARE DECLARATIONS OF EXISTENCE, GATHERED WITH INTENTION AND CARE. 60 MINI ORAL HISTORIES WERE COLLECTED THROUGH INTIMATE CONVERSATIONS WITH PARTICIPANTS - PRESERVING PERSONAL NARRATIVES, NEIGHBORHOOD MEMORIES, AND COMMUNITY WISDOM THAT MIGHT OTHERWISE GO UNDOCUMENTED. THE CAMPAIGN WAS GROUNDED IN GENUINE COMMUNITY PROCESS, NOT TOP-DOWN PROGRAMMING. 5 PLANNING MEETINGS WERE HELD WITH COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND PARTNERS TO COLLABORATIVELY GUIDE AND SHAPE THE DIRECTION OF THE INITIATIVE. 2 ORAL HISTORY TABLING SESSIONS WERE HOSTED AT THE BELOVED SUNDAY MARKETPLACE, CREATING LOW-BARRIER, ACCESSIBLE OPPORTUNITIES FOR NEIGHBORS TO SHARE THEIR STORIES ON THEIR OWN TERMS. AND 1 PORTRAIT SHOOT ACTIVATION BROUGHT THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER IN A CELEBRATORY GATHERING WHERE PARTICIPANTS WERE PHOTOGRAPHED AS PART OF BOTH THE EXHIBITION AND THE PERMANENT ARCHIVE. THE CULMINATING EXHIBITION NOW LIVES ON THE OUTDOOR WALLS OF A BUILDING IN LEIMERT PARK - A PUBLIC, PERMANENT INSTALLATION THAT TRANSFORMS THE NEIGHBORHOOD ITSELF INTO A GALLERY. IT IS VISIBLE TO EVERY PERSON WHO WALKS THOSE STREETS, A DAILY REMINDER THAT THIS COMMUNITY'S HISTORY, BEAUTY, AND HUMANITY ARE WORTH DISPLAYING FOR THE WORLD TO SEE.
- $88,670 spent. DURING THIS FISCAL YEAR, WACO MADE SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENTS IN ORGANIZATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE TO ENSURE THAT OUR TRANSITION TO THE VISION THEATRE IS NOT ONLY SUCCESSFUL, BUT SUSTAINABLE. WE RECOGNIZE THAT A MOVE OF THIS MAGNITUDE REQUIRES MORE THAN ENTHUSIASM AND ARTISTIC VISION - IT REQUIRES SOUND PLANNING, STRONG GOVERNANCE, DIVERSIFIED FINANCIAL STRATEGY, AND THE LEADERSHIP CAPACITY TO STEWARD A COMPLEX, MULTI-PROGRAM INSTITUTION AT A NEW LEVEL OF SCALE. BECOMING THE VISION IS THE WORK OF BUILDING ALL OF THOSE THINGS AT ONCE. TO GUIDE THIS PROCESS, WACO ENGAGED EXPERIENCED PLANNING CONSULTANTS WHOSE EXPERTISE SPANS NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT, ARTS ADMINISTRATION, AND INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITY BUILDING. THESE PARTNERSHIPS WERE NOT TRANSACTIONAL. THEY WERE DEEPLY COLLABORATIVE ENGAGEMENTS DESIGNED TO ALIGN OUR ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE WITH THE AMBITION AND RESPONSIBILITY OF OPERATING A MAJOR PERFORMING ARTS COMPLEX IN ONE OF LOS ANGELES' MOST HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANT CULTURAL CORRIDORS. THE WORK THIS FISCAL YEAR CENTERED ON THREE INTERCONNECTED AREAS OF DEVELOPMENT: BUSINESS PLANNING. WACO WORKED WITH CONSULTANTS TO DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE BUSINESS PLAN THAT CHARTS A CLEAR AND REALISTIC PATHWAY FOR OPERATING THE VISION THEATRE PERFORMING ARTS COMPLEX. THIS PLAN EXAMINES OUR PROGRAMMING MODEL, OPERATIONAL CAPACITY, STAFFING STRUCTURE, REVENUE STREAMS, AND LONG-TERM FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY. IT TRANSLATES WACO'S ARTISTIC MISSION INTO AN ORGANIZATIONAL ROADMAP - ONE THAT HONORS WHO WE ARE WHILE PREPARING US FOR THE DEMANDS AND OPPORTUNITIES OF WHO WE ARE BECOMING. FUNDRAISING STRATEGY. EXPANDING INTO A MAJOR PERFORMING ARTS VENUE REQUIRES AN EQUALLY EXPANDED APPROACH TO RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT. THIS FISCAL YEAR, WACO DEVELOPED A ROBUST FUNDRAISING PLAN DESIGNED TO DIVERSIFY AND GROW OUR REVENUE BASE IN ALIGNMENT WITH OUR NEW OPERATIONAL REALITY. THIS PLAN ENCOMPASSES INDIVIDUAL GIVING, INSTITUTIONAL PHILANTHROPY, GOVERNMENT FUNDING, EARNED REVENUE, AND CORPORATE PARTNERSHIPS - BUILDING THE FINANCIAL ARCHITECTURE NECESSARY TO SUPPORT A THRIVING, COMMUNITY-CENTERED ARTS COMPLEX FOR YEARS TO COME. BOARD DEVELOPMENT. STRONG GOVERNANCE IS THE BACKBONE OF ANY ENDURING INSTITUTION. AS WACO GROWS, SO TOO MUST THE LEADERSHIP THAT GUIDES IT. THIS YEAR, WE ENGAGED IN INTENTIONAL BOARD DEVELOPMENT WORK - IDENTIFYING THE SKILLS, PERSPECTIVES, AND NETWORKS NEEDED TO BUILD A BOARD THAT IS EQUIPPED TO GOVERN A PERFORMING ARTS COMPLEX, ADVOCATE FOR WACO'S MISSION, AND STEWARD OUR RESOURCES WITH EXCELLENCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY. THIS WORK IS AS MUCH ABOUT ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE AS IT IS ABOUT STRUCTURE - CULTIVATING A GOVERNANCE MODEL THAT REFLECTS WACO'S VALUES AND THE COMMUNITY WE SERVE.
- DURING THIS FISCAL YEAR, WACO MADE SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENTS IN ORGANIZATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE TO ENSURE THAT OUR TRANSITION TO THE VISION THEATRE IS NOT ONLY SUCCESSFUL, BUT SUSTAINABLE. WE RECOGNIZE THAT A MOVE OF THIS MAGNITUDE REQUIRES MORE THAN ENTHUSIASM AND ARTISTIC VISION - IT REQUIRES SOUND PLANNING, STRONG GOVERNANCE, DIVERSIFIED FINANCIAL STRATEGY, AND THE LEADERSHIP CAPACITY TO STEWARD A COMPLEX, MULTI-PROGRAM INSTITUTION AT A NEW LEVEL OF SCALE. BECOMING THE VISION IS THE WORK OF BUILDING ALL OF THOSE THINGS AT ONCE. TO GUIDE THIS PROCESS, WACO ENGAGED EXPERIENCED PLANNING CONSULTANTS WHOSE EXPERTISE SPANS NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT, ARTS ADMINISTRATION, AND INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITY BUILDING. THESE PARTNERSHIPS WERE NOT TRANSACTIONAL. THEY WERE DEEPLY COLLABORATIVE ENGAGEMENTS DESIGNED TO ALIGN OUR ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE WITH THE AMBITION AND RESPONSIBILITY OF OPERATING A MAJOR PERFORMING ARTS COMPLEX IN ONE OF LOS ANGELES' MOST HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANT CULTURAL CORRIDORS. THE WORK THIS FISCAL YEAR CENTERED ON THREE INTERCONNECTED AREAS OF DEVELOPMENT: BUSINESS PLANNING. WACO WORKED WITH CONSULTANTS TO DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE BUSINESS PLAN THAT CHARTS A CLEAR AND REALISTIC PATHWAY FOR OPERATING THE VISION THEATRE PERFORMING ARTS COMPLEX. THIS PLAN EXAMINES OUR PROGRAMMING MODEL, OPERATIONAL CAPACITY, STAFFING STRUCTURE, REVENUE STREAMS, AND LONG-TERM FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY. IT TRANSLATES WACO'S ARTISTIC MISSION INTO AN ORGANIZATIONAL ROADMAP - ONE THAT HONORS WHO WE ARE WHILE PREPARING US FOR THE DEMANDS AND OPPORTUNITIES OF WHO WE ARE BECOMING. FUNDRAISING STRATEGY. EXPANDING INTO A MAJOR PERFORMING ARTS VENUE REQUIRES AN EQUALLY EXPANDED APPROACH TO RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT. THIS FISCAL YEAR, WACO DEVELOPED A ROBUST FUNDRAISING PLAN DESIGNED TO DIVERSIFY AND GROW OUR REVENUE BASE IN ALIGNMENT WITH OUR NEW OPERATIONAL REALITY. THIS PLAN ENCOMPASSES INDIVIDUAL GIVING, INSTITUTIONAL PHILANTHROPY, GOVERNMENT FUNDING, EARNED REVENUE, AND CORPORATE PARTNERSHIPS - BUILDING THE FINANCIAL ARCHITECTURE NECESSARY TO SUPPORT A THRIVING, COMMUNITY-CENTERED ARTS COMPLEX FOR YEARS TO COME. BOARD DEVELOPMENT. STRONG GOVERNANCE IS THE BACKBONE OF ANY ENDURING INSTITUTION. AS WACO GROWS, SO TOO MUST THE LEADERSHIP THAT GUIDES IT. THIS YEAR, WE ENGAGED IN INTENTIONAL BOARD DEVELOPMENT WORK - IDENTIFYING THE SKILLS, PERSPECTIVES, AND NETWORKS NEEDED TO BUILD A BOARD THAT IS EQUIPPED TO GOVERN A PERFORMING ARTS COMPLEX, ADVOCATE FOR WACO'S MISSION, AND STEWARD OUR RESOURCES WITH EXCELLENCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY. THIS WORK IS AS MUCH ABOUT ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE AS IT IS ABOUT STRUCTURE - CULTIVATING A GOVERNANCE MODEL THAT REFLECTS WACO'S VALUES AND THE COMMUNITY WE SERVE.
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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since September 2016.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.