Spotlight Youth Theatre
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
SPOTLIGHT YOUTH THEATRE PROVIDES YOUTH AND FAMILIES A SAFE, WELCOMING ENVIRONMENT WHERE THE INDIVIDUAL IS SUPPORTED, TEAMWORK IS EMBRACED, AND CREATIVITY IS ENCOURAGED THROUGH HIGH QUALITY PERFORMING ARTS AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS THAT ENRICH AND STRENGTHEN OUR COMMUNITY.
- Income
- $375,364
- Spending
- $386,747
- Spent on programs
- 79%
- Reserves
- 0.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 54%
- Employees
- 3
- Volunteers
- 175
- Highest pay
- $50,777, artistic director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 58 out of 100. Higher than 26% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
4 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 0.1 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 29% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 3% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 17% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1579% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 71 out of 100. Higher than 47% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
5 of 254 of 12 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
6 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, 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 (3)
- $265,243 spent. YOUTH THEATRE BUILDS CONFIDENCE, PERSONAL GROWTH, AND RESPONSIBILITY IN THE PERFORMERS AND THE CREW, WHICH IN TURN ENRICHES CULTURE, ARTS, AND CREATIVITY IN OUR COMMUNITY. SPOTLIGHT PRODUCED NINE HIGH QUALITY, BIG-STAGE PRODUCTIONS WHILE OFFERING A SAFE, FAMILY-ORIENTED ENVIRONMENT WHERE KIDS CAN LEARN, GROW, AND PERFORM. EVERY CHILD HAS A CHANCE TO SHINE, A PLACE THAT IS SAFE AND FREE FROM NEGATIVITY AND AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE FUN AND HARD WORK COMBINE INTO AMAZING GROWTH EXPERIENCES, BOTH ON AND OFF STAGE. OUR THEATRE PROGRAM IS AS DIVERSE AS THE COMMUNITY WE SERVE AND WHERE ALL MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY CAN JOIN IN THE ENDEAVOR TO PRODUCE HIGH QUALITY THEATRE PRODUCTIONS THAT AMAZE AND ENTERTAIN.
- $30,306 spent. IN AN EFFORT TO ENCOURAGE YOUNG PLAYWRIGHTS, SPOTLIGHT HELD ITS FIFTH ANNUAL PLAYWRIGHTS CONTEST. THREE ORIGINAL PLAYS WERE CHOSEN AND MENTORS WORKED WITH THE PLAYWRIGHTS TO ASSIST DURING THE PRODUCTION PROCESS. A HIGH QUALITY THREE ACT PLAY WAS PRODUCED AND INCLUDED IN OUR SEASON USING ALL YOUTH DIRECTORS, DESIGNERS AND ACTORS.
- $8,066 spent. SPOTLIGHT CONTINUED A PARTNERSHIP PROVIDING ACCESS TO REHEARSAL AND PERFORMANCE SPACE TO LOCAL THEATRE GROUPS WITHOUT FACILITIES. ONE OF THOSE GROUPES, IMAGINE THEATRE COMPANY, PROVIDES PERFORMING ARTS OPPORTUNITIES TO PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 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 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 August 2007.
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.