Traverse City Dance Project
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It owes more than it owns.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
The Corporation shall have the purpose of supporting the creation and promotion of the arts, including visual and performance art, and providing education regarding the arts. The purposes include: to build and stage a bold mixture of new and existing dance works to inspire and educate audiences to collaborate within the community where performances are located to provide a creative laboratory for dancers and choreographers and to commission music.
- Income
- $206,458
- Spending
- $236,125
- Spent on programs
- 91%
- Reserves
- -1.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 92%
- Employees
- 0
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 22 out of 100. Higher than 6% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
0 of 20It owes 137% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 14% of income.
Spending floor
15 of 1591% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Weak: 19 out of 100. Higher than 3% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).
Independent board
5 of 250 of 3 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
0 of 5Reports that it does not keep minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 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 (1)
- $213,889 spent. In 2025, continued its community tour to four Northern Michigan communitiesKalkaska, Charlevoix, Frankfort, and Traverse City, as well as a pop-up showing at Little Fleet for community members, all showings free of charge. For many, this was their first exposure to live dance, and you made it possible to reach them. During the tour, we included two free pre-performance classes for kids in Kalkaska and Charlevoix, and collaborated with Fitchs School of Dance in Kalkaska, to provide an opportunity for local students to perform right alongside TCDPs professionals. The summer tour brought together six professional dancers, a cellist, a DJ artist, and a passionate technical team. Through partnerships with the Garden Theater, the Kalkaska Downtown Development Authority, Charlevoix Parks and Recreation, and the Northern Michigan Disability Network, the organization deepened community connections while creating new opportunities for artistic collaboration. This season also featured the commissioning of original works by three choreographers, enriching the dialogue between artists and audiences throughout Northern Michigan. TCDP successfully maintained their intern program, now in its second year, that provides invaluable hands-on experience to two college students in arts administration and production. The company also provided two additional recent college graduates their first professional contract as apprentices. It is this kind of mentorship that helps nurture the next generation of leaders in the arts. The biggest event of the season was the launch of the first ever Northern Michigan Dance Festival. This three-day event featured four unique performances, including educational opportunities such as a school show for over 250 students. Presented in collaboration with the Dennos Museum Center, the school program introduced young audiences to a variety of dance forms and included a creative movement workshop led by our Directors and professional dancers. The festival brought together more than 25 dancers and musicians to present unforgettable performances of both world-renowned and world-premiere choreographic works. This vibrant fusion of movement and music was the result of years of planning and partnership building a true testament to what our arts community can achieve together.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 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 December 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 August 2017.
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.