What Will the Neighbors Say
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
What Will the Neighbors Say? is an investigative theatre company that provokes questions through untold stories. Led by a collaborative cohort of international artists, the Neighbors present overlooked social, cultural and historical narratives that challenge the audience to reflect on the current moment. Through a combination of original plays, arts education workshops and dynamic community gatherings, the troupe incites rowdy and rigorous debate at the theatre and throughout the Neighborhood.
- Income
- $75,088
- Spending
- $76,650
- Reserves
- 1.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 66%
- Highest pay
- $5,500, co-artistic director
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 54 out of 100. Higher than 22% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 1.8 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 2% of income.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending August 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)
- $11,000 spent. New to the Neighborhood is a residency program intended to be an incubator for Brooklyn-based emerging artists from underrepresented communities. Specifically, we curate residents who are female, trans, and non-binary artists of the Global Majority. We selected these specific groups as they have historically been underserved by the American theater industry, and this residency aims to help redress that imbalance. The inaugural New to the Neighborhood Residency is made possible with funds from the Howard Gilman Foundation, administered by the Brooklyn Arts Council as well as additional support from IndieSpace and the offices of City Counselor C.M. Hudson and State Senator Julia Salazar.
- $50,729 spent. AT THE BARRICADES is a new experimental documentary theater play that examines the international volunteers who traveled to Spain between 1936-1939 to fight against Fascism in the Spanish Civil War. Inspired by true stories of those who traveled to Spain in 1937 to join the anti-Facist forces as a framing, this play explores the integrated Lincoln Battalion to unpack the nature of resistance and solidarity. This unit fought alongside a range of foreign comrades in Spain in an international crusade against authoritarianism.
- $1,250 spent. Established in 2017, storytime is a free night of storytelling and live music for the Neighborhood, held at various venues throughout New York. Each event features a specific theme (such as Uplifting Black Stories, Not A Day Goes By, Waiting) curated by the visiting musicians (including Eleri Ward, Kathryn Allison and Amyra León) and hosts (including Abby Feldman, Xavier Reyes and Ayla Sullivan). Any audience member who is willing to tell a story is welcome to, creating an authentic and powerful collective experience. This event has so far served over 3500 folks in the New York and online, and was recently recognized with a $15k NYC Department of Cultural Affairs CDF Grant. Most recently, storytime was part of the Six Foot Platform in DUMBO. Previous venues include: the cell theatre, Industry City Distillery and Starr Bar.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending August 31, 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 August 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 2018.
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.