Passes our checks

Bandit Theater

EIN 83-1912953 · Seattle, WA

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

What it says it does

Fostering creativity, building community, and inspiring personal growth through the art of comedy.

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

Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 43% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

Reserves
20 of 35
Spendable reserves would cover 4.6 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20
It owes 25% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15
Spending exceeded income by 5% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15
Income rose 3% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 15
68% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 21 cents.

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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 92% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

Independent board
25 of 25
7 of 7 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
7 of 7
Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5
Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10
Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5
Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
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 (1)

$137,275 spent. Classes - Bandit Theater continued its commitment to arts education by offering over 30 classes and instructing more than 330 students in 2025. Coursework spanned long-form improv, sketch comedy, harolds, and more. Throughout the year, Bandit hosted multiple student/teacher showcases, giving students the opportunity to perform for live, ticketed audiences. Special Events - Bandit's annual fundraiser returned in 2025, bringing together over 130 attendees. With the support of more than 160 donors, the event raised over $18,000 to sustain Bandit's programming, all while celebrating with improv, food, and dancing. Live Performances - In 2025, Bandit Theater produced 157 improv and comedy shows, serving thousands of audience members across the Seattle/Tacoma community and significantly expanding its performance footprint from the previous year.

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 October 13, 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 November 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 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.