Merrimans Playhouse
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
To promote the art and education of jazz in our community. Merrimans' Playhouse is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) venue, established as an arts and educational organization. "A Home for Jazz."
- Income
- $84,481
- Spending
- $83,462
- Reserves
- 5.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 57%
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 74 out of 100. Higher than 48% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 5.3 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
12 of 15Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 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 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)
- $71,694 spent. Established in 2006 and incorporated in 2017 as a 501(c)(3), Merrimans' Playhouse is both an arts and educational performing and presenting organization. It is a place to experience an intimate, live jazz performance. Annually Merrimans' Playhouse presents a variety of performance and educational events, including clinics, with professional touring jazz artists, from straight ahead to avant-garde. * Jazz Performance Series. Approximately 100 Jazz concerts a year with touring regional, national, and international jazz musicians, and occasional jazz clinic for area jazz artists and students. * Home Grown Jazz Performance Series. Approximately 12 concerts per year provide an opportunity for area jazz ensembles to perform. * Student Jazz Performance Series. Approximately 13 concerts a year, includes area, regional, or touring college or high school student performers, either as part of the ensemble, or as student-led ensembles. * Jazz Open Session. Held weekly on Tuesdays for local jazz musicians, students, and listeners. Approximately 51 a year. Includes discussion of songs, feel, forms, chords, soloing, and emphasizes how to listen to each other and work democratically as a musical collective. The audience witnesses the process of jazz through the open discussions. * Chamber Arts Series. May include chamber jazz, classical, or other traditional music concerts. Approximately 5 per year. Intended as a more in-depth experience in a more intimate and educational way. May include explanation of the history of the music, the intent of the music and performance, or how they work together as a collective, to create an opportunity for the audience to learn more about the art and the artists. * Monthly Jazz Radio Program. Merrimans' Playhouse is part of WVPE's (88.1 FM) radio program "The Sauce Live from Merrimans' Playhouse." This one-hour radio broadcast focuses on live music with interviews, highlighting four venues in the Michiana area, which includes Merrimans' Playhouse as the jazz venue. The premier airing was April 22, 2024. * Summer Jazz Series at the University of Notre Dame's Raclin Murphy Museum of Art: "Merrimans' Playhouse @ the Raclin Murphy Museum of Art." Four summer concerts held at the museum. They have been partnering with the museum since 2015. Stephen and Mary Merriman curate the performances. * Other Community Collaborations. Merrimans' Playhouse works with other area jazz festivals to promote jazz. In addition, Stephen and Mary Merriman have a positive collaborative relationship with the jazz education programs at UND, IUSB, and local high schools. * In May 2023 they offered their first lecture series collaboration (CHATS) with UND departments, hosting Prof. Alexander, "The Jazz of Physics: The Secret Link Between Music and the Structure of the Universe."
Source: Form 990EZ 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 January 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.