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Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts

EIN 88-0239029 · Reno, NV

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood74 out of 100GovernanceFair69 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

MANAGE AND MAINTAIN THE CULTURAL ARTS CENTER FOR NORTHERN NEVADA COMMUNITY.

Income
$5.1 million
Spending
$4.8 million
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
19.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 87%
Employees
59
Volunteers
229
Highest pay
$211,334, ceo

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

Good: 74 out of 100. Higher than 52% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 19.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 29% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 6% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 33% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 46 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

Fair: 69 out of 100. Higher than 19% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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

    9 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports 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 (2)
  1. $3.6 million spent. PRESERVATION, MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION OF THE PIONEER CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS, A CULTURAL CENTER LISTED ON THE NATIONAL, STATE AND CITY HISTORIC REGISTERS. PRESENTATION OF PERFORMING ARTS PROGRAMMING AND RENTAL OF THE PIONEER CENTER TO LOCAL, NATIONAL, AND INTERNATIONAL PERFORMING ARTS GROUPS FOR THE PROMOTION OF CULTURAL ARTS AND THE ENCRICHMENT OF THE NORTHERN NEVADA COMMUNITY. 24-25 SEASON PROGRAMMING TOTAL: 127 LIVE PERFORMING ARTS EVENTS AT THE PIONEER CENTER, SERVING A TOTAL OF 131,946 PATRONS.
  2. $209,842 spent. PRESENTATION OF PERFORMING ARTS PROGRAMMING IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS AND PUBLIC LIBRARIES THROUGHOUT NORTHWESTERN NEVADA FOR EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH ACTIVITIES DESIGNED FOR YOUNG CHILDREN. PRESENTATION OF PERFORMING ARTS PROGRAMMING IN NURSING HOMES, ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES, COMMUNITY CENTERS AND OTHER PUBLIC GATHERING PLACES THROUGHOUT WASHOE COUNTY FOR ARTS OUTREACH ACTIVITIES SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR SENIOR CITIZENS.

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

  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 October 13, 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 November 6, 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 October 13, 2026.

  4. 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.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since June 1990.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 November 4, 2026.

  7. Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.

    A much larger organization has a similar name: John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (Washington, DC), EIN 53-0245017. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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.