Uprise Theatre
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The Mission of Uprise Theatre is to use art and activist lawyering to disrupt systems of oppression and reclaim power with the people. The Vision of Uprise Theatre is that now will be the time in history in which all peoples are treated by the legal system as full human beings with corresponding full human rights. We maintain the Values of Uprise Theatre by being authentic in the way we relate to ourselves and others; we are unapologetic in our desire of liberation for all people; and we are a community-based organization. Uprises flagship programs are our Arts and Theatre projects. The theatre program uses actors as peer educators; re-teaching legal principles taught to them to the larger community through free live performances. In addition we have created an improv know your rights workshop where we ask community members to respond in real time to hypothetical interactions with law enforcement. Under the umbrella of the Uprise Theatre Legal and Arts program falls the Know Your
- Income
- $142,248
- Spending
- $32,387
- Reserves
- 44 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Highest pay
- $26,880, executive director
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
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
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 (2)
- $25,000 spent. Our Equal Access to Justice Program provides criminal coaching for indigent people facing criminal charges. We are funded by the San Diego County Bar Foundation and help on average 50 people per year and over the past 5 years we have saved 534 years of prison time.
- $15,000 spent. Uprise and Grind is a new program under Uprise Theatres Art and Theatre Program. Uprise & Grind cultivates the power of community by centering locally-owned neighborhood coffee shops as the venue for our groundbreaking theatre and arts program. A special Uprise Theatre project Uprise & Grind collaborates with five coffee shops around San Diego to bring the artistic and innovative teaching of legal rights to the people. The grant goes from 2025-2026 with the bulk being accomplished in 2026.
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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 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 September 7, 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 7, 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.