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Lensic Performing Arts Center Corporation

EIN 85-0448396 · Santa Fe, NM

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE HISTORIC LENSIC - SANTA FE'S PERFORMING ARTS CENTER - ENRICHES LIVES BY BRINGING DIVERSE ART AND PEOPLE TOGETHER. THROUGH ITS ACCESSIBLE AND AFFORDABLE PROGRAMMING, THE LENSIC PRESENTS AND SUPPORTS LOCL AND NATIONAL ARTISTS AND SERVES AS A CENTER FOR COMMUNITY, YOUTH, AND EDUCATION EVENTS.

Income
$14.5 million
Spending
$12.4 million
Spent on programs
81%
Reserves
3.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 61%
Employees
108
Volunteers
89
Highest pay
$271,576, executive di

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 41% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 7% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 14% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 66% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    81% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 21 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 37% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    21 of 21 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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, 2024, 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)
  1. $3.5 million spent. THE ORGANIZATION MAINTAINS AND OPERATES THE HISTORIC LENSIC THEATER WHICH FUNCTIONS YEAR-ROUND. THE LENSIC IS A HOME STAGE FOR OUR CONSORTIUM PARTNERS, THE SANTA FE SYMPHONY, SANTA FE PRO MUSICA, AND SANTA FE CHAMBER MUSIC, AS WELL AS MANY OTHER LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS LIKE SANTA FE INSTITUTE, ASPEN SANTA FE BALLET, AND AMP. WE OFFER DISCOUNTED RENTALS, PROVIDE TECHNICAL, BOX OFFICE, MARKETING SUPPORT, AND ORGANIZATIONS KEEP THEIR TICKET REVENUE.
  2. $6.3 million spent. LENSIC PRESENTS PROGRAMS: THE LENSIC PERFORMING ARTS CENTER HAS PRESENTED AND PRODUCED PERFORMANCES OF ARTISTS FROM AROUND THE WORLD. THE LENSIC'S YEAR-ROUND PROGRAMMING IS INTEGRAL TO FULFILLING THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION BY PRESENTING A WIDE-RANGING, DIVERSE SERIES OF PROGRAMS AND ARTISTS. PROGRAMS INCLUDE POPULAR CONCERTS, DANCE SHOWS, WORLD MUSIC, JAZZ, CLASSICAL MUSIC, COMEDY, AND FAMILY-FRIENDLY PROGRAMMING. LENSIC 360: IN EARLY 2023, IN AN EFFORT TO REACH NEW AND UNDERSERVED AUDIENCES BEYOND THOSE WHO ARE ABLE TO ATTEND PERFORMANCES AT THE THEATER, WE LAUNCHED LENSIC 360. THIS NEW INITIATIVE PRESENTS A DIVERSE ARRAY OF EVENTS AT OTHER REGIONAL VENUES AND THE LENSIC IN NEW MEXICO, INCLUDING SUMMER SCENE, A 50 SHOW FREE CONCERT SERIES.
  3. $267,299 spent. THE LENSIC'S ARTS EDUCATION PROGRAMS HAVE A TWENTY-YEAR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO BRING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHILDREN TO DAYTIME PERFORMANCES, PROVIDING WHAT IS FOR MANY CHILDREN THEIR FIRST THEATER EXPERIENCE. THE THEATER RUNS A TECHNICAL INTERNSHIP PROGRAM FOR LOCAL HIGH-SCHOOL YOUTH WHICH PROVIDES SUMMER EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES TO THE PROGRAM'S GRADUATES. THE EDUCATION PROGRAM LENSIC FUTURE VOICES ALSO INCLUDES AN ANNUAL FILM AND PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ACROSS THE STATE. IN 2024, 50 NEW MEXICO SCHOOLS ATTENDED THESE EDUCATION EVENTS, SERVING MORE THAN 13,000 K-12 STUDENTS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since July 1998.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. 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.