Passes our checks

Cat Ltd

EIN 82-4715318 · Carmel, IN

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

What it says it does

TO BE THE "OFF-OFF-BROADWAY" OF CARMEL, INDIANA, GIVING THE ARTISTS OF CARMEL A LOCAL, WELCOMING PLACE TO ENTERTAIN.

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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 63% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

Reserves
20 of 35
Spendable reserves would cover 3.3 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20
It owes 2% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15
Income exceeded spending by 11% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15
Income rose 18% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 15
68% 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

Weak: 48 out of 100. Higher than 14% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

Independent board
25 of 25
5 of 5 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15
Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8
Reports no 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.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15
Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (3)

$93,762 spent. THE CARMEL APPRENTICE THEATRE (CAT) IS A NO-AUDITION, NO-COST PROGRAM FOR PEOPLE NEW TO THEATER AND THEATER VETERANS TO PERFORM SIDE-BY-SIDE IN ROLES OF A LIFETIME. THE CAT RUNS TWO PRODUCTIONS A YEAR. THE SPRING PLAY GENERALLY HAS A CAST OF 8-15 WHILE THE FALL MUSICAL GENERALLY HAS A LARGER CAST OF 30-40.IN 2025, THE CAT KEPT AUDIENCES ENTERTAINED AND INSPIRED WITH SHOWS LIKE "THE BOOKSTORE," "JACK THE RIPPER: THE MUSICAL, AND "THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER" CONTINUING TO PROVE THAT OUR 'ITTY-BITTY STAGE' CAN HOLD BOUNDLESS CREATIVITY.
$41,055 spent. IN 2025 THE CAT CONTINUED OUR TUITION-BASED YOUTH PROGRAM. THE SPRING PRODUCTION FEATURED 30 STUDENTS IN 6 PERFORMANCES THAT ALL SOLD AT LEAST 90% OF SEATS. THE FALL PRODUCTION HAD FOUR SOLD-OUT PERFORMANCES FEATURING 25 STUDENTS. THE CAT WILL CONTINUE TO GROW THIS PROGRAM WITH SKILL-BASED CLASSES.
$30,661 spent. DURING 2025, THE CAT PROVIDED A HOME FOR 12 DIFFERENT ARTISTIC COMPANIES TO PRODUCE THEIR SEASONS. ON AVERAGE THERE HAS BEEN BETWEEN 102 AND 124 AFFORDABLE PERFORMANCES ON THE CAT'S STAGE EACH YEAR. MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY CAN VISIT ALMOST EVERY WEEKEND AND SEE SOMETHING DIFFERENT. EACH YEAR THE CAT GROWS BOLDER, MORE JOYFUL, AND MORE CONNECTED TO THE COMMUNITY IT SERVES.

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

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 February 2019.
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.