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Act of Connecticut Inc

EIN 81-3092871 · Ridgefield, CT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak40 out of 100GovernanceGood78 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

A.C.T. OF CT'S MISSION IS TO ELEVATE THE LEVEL OF ENTERTAINMENT IN FAIRFIELD COUNTY AND TO FOSTER A SENSE OF COMMUNITY THROUGH THE ARTS BY PRODUCING EXCEPTIONAL THEATER AND ENCOURAGING AN ENVIRONMENT OF INCLUSIVITY AND ARTISTIC EXCELLENCE.

Income
$3.5 million
Spending
$4.0 million
Spent on programs
93%
Reserves
-0.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 49%
Employees
215
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$119,271, artistic director/vp

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 40 out of 100. Higher than 11% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 42% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 16% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 28% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    93% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 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 25

    19 of 19 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

    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.

  • 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 July 31, 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. $3.7 million spent. MAINSTAGE PRODUCTIONS - A.C.T. OF CT'S MAINSTAGE INCLUDES FULLY PRODUCED PRODUCTIONS OF BROADWAY CALIBER MUSICALS. EACH PRODUCTION RUNS FOR A PERIOD OF 4-6 WEEKS, WITH APPROXIMATELY 6 PERFORMANCES PER WEEK. A.C.T. OF CT OFFERS AT LEAST ONE 'SENSORY-FRIENDLY' PERFORMANCE PER SEASON, AND ALSO THEIR ONE NIGHT ONLY BROADWAY UNPLUGGED SERIES. A.C.T. OF CT ALSO PRODUCES A NEW WORKS SERIES AND SUPPORTS ARTISTS IN THE DEVELOPMENT PROCESS.
  2. EDUCATION PROGRAMS - A.C.T. OF CT'S EDUCATION PROGRAMMING INCLUDES: A.C.T. OF CT'S YOUTH CHOIR, MASTERCLASSES WITH BROADWAY PROFESSIONALS, INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP CLASSES IN ACTING, DANCING, AND SINGING AS WELL AS A SUMMER STARS SHOWCASE PRODUCTION (2ND - 7TH GRADES), AND A TEEN CONSERVATORY PROGRAM THAT OPERATES YEAR ROUND.
  3. FIRST ACT! - A.C.T. OF CT STRONGLY BELIEVES THAT THEATER FOSTERS EMPATHY AND INSPIRES CREATIVE THINKING WHILE PROVIDING A SAFE SPACE IN WHICH ALL CAN LISTEN AND LEARN FROM ONE ANOTHER. FIRST ACT! WAS CREATED TO SUPPORT, ENCOURAGE AND NURTURE STUDENTS, PRE-PROFESSIONALS, AND WORKING ARTISTS OF ALL SOCIO-ECONOMIC BACKGROUNDS, RACES, ETHNICITIES AND GENDERS SO THAT THEY MAY RECEIVE THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF THEATRICAL TRAINING, THEATRICAL EDUCATION, AND OPPORTUNITY POSSIBLE. THE FIRST ACT! PROGRAM SUPPORTS A.C.T. OF CT'S AUDIENCE ACCESS PROGRAM, SCHOLARSHIP AND APPRENTICE PROGRAMS, AS WELL AS THE SENSORY FRIENDLY SERIES. THE FIRST ACT! INITIATIVE IS FULLY DONOR FUNDED.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 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 October 13, 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 July 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 August 2016.

    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 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.