Players Circle Arts Center
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 MISSION OF PLAYERS CIRCLE ART CENTER, DBA PLAYERS CIRCLE THEATER, IS TO CREATE A HOME FOR A VARIETY OF THEATER EMPLOYING AN ENSEMBLE OF PROFESSIONALS; TO BECOME AN OUTLET FOR COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IN THE ARTS; AND TO ENRICH, EDUCATE, INSPIRE, AND ENTERTAIN OUR COMMUNITY WITH CLASSES AND PERFORMANCES.
- Income
- $1.3 million
- Spending
- $1.3 million
- Spent on programs
- 72%
- Reserves
- -3.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 71%
- Employees
- 0
- Highest pay
- $103,400, director/vic
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2026, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 38 out of 100. Higher than 9% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
0 of 20It owes 294% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 2% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 13% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1572% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2026, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 257 of 10 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
0 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2026, 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 (3)
- $936,109 spent. PLAYERS CIRCLE THEATER OPERATES AS A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION COMMITTED TO FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY AND BROAD PUBLIC ACCESSIBILITY. DURING THE YEAR, THE ORGANIZATION PRESENTED 207 TOTAL PERFORMANCES ATTENDED BY APPROXIMATELY 20,500 INDIVIDUALS. OF THESE, 157 WERE MAINSTAGE SEASON PERFORMANCES, EMPLOYING 63 PROFESSIONAL ACTORS, DESIGNERS, AND DIRECTORS. IN THE OFF- SEASON, AN ADDITIONAL 41 PERFORMANCES FEATURED 26 ARTISTS.
- EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING REMAINS A CORE COMPONENT OF THE ORGANIZATIONS MISSION, WITH 58 YOUTH PARTICIPATING IN SUMMER CAMPS CULMINATING IN 10 PUBLIC PERFORMANCES. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT IS FURTHER SUPPORTED BY APPROXIMATELY 160 VOLUNTEERS CONTRIBUTING MORE THAN 3,500 SERVICE HOURS ANNUALLY.
- PLAYERS CIRCLE MAINTAINS AN ARTIST-DRIVEN OPERATIONAL MODEL; NOTABLY, APPROXIMATELY HALF OF ITS 10 FULL-TIME STAFF MEMBERS ALSO SERVE AS PERFORMERS, APPEARING IN THREE TO FOUR PRODUCTIONS EACH YEAR. THE ORGANIZATION ENHANCES PUBLIC BENEFIT THROUGH ANCILLARY PROGRAMMING, INCLUDING TALKBACKS, STAGED READINGS, AND COLLABORATIVE PARTNERSHIPS WITH OTHER COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2026, 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 June 2026.
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 July 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.