One Ounce Opera Production Company
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
One Ounce Opera Production Company (aka One Ounce Opera) invites audiences to immerse themselves in dynamic storytelling. We explore contemporary topics through the lenses of diverse trailblazers, forging new paths in the art form for all to enjoy. Since our launch in 2012, we've remain dedicated to reimagining opera in unexpected spaces. OOO has also long been dedicated to creating art that supports, connects, and reflects our diverse community. We center the artistic and performance work of People of Color, LGBTQ+ folks, folks with disabilities, and women - groups historically underrepresented in all facets of the operatic genre. We've become well known for our award-winning, yearly juried short opera showcase (Fresh Squeezed Ounce of Opera), which puts into practice all facets of our mission and purpose, as well as making us a champion for short-form operatic storytelling as a viable future for the art form as a whole.
- Income
- $89,265
- Spending
- $71,656
- Reserves
- 3.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 88%
- Highest pay
- $25,300, executive & artistic 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
Good: 79 out of 100. Higher than 55% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 3.4 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 20% of income.
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)
- $6,174 spent. For the past 14 years, One Ounce Opera has collaborated with local organizations, artists, and producers to provide year-round programming for our community and high-quality, paid performance opportunities for our artists. In 2025, OOO presented two free, accessible lunchtime concerts during the Thursday Noon Concert Series in Downtown Austin. They were "Songs of Love" to celebrate Valentine's Day, and the "Holiday Sing-a-long" - an inclusive all-faith, secular and sacred-music event - during the winter season. In 2025, these two concerts provided paid opportunities for 13 singing artists and 1 pianist. The programs were available on Facebook Live and recorded for post-concert viewing, expanding the reach of the programming. Over 150 people enjoyed the programming in-person, and (to date), an add'l 550 have watched the recording. In addition to these two free concerts, OOO collaborated with LOLA (Local Opera Local Artists) on "Jing-a-ling Super Sing," a year-end musical event, which offered paid roles for 15 artists, 2 pianists, and 3 producers/directors and served 105 audience members; and won a spot performing at Here Be Monsters - a two-day indie-classical festival - offering 2 artists, 1 pianist, and 1 composer-librettist paid roles and serving an approx. audience of 300 people.
- $59,842 spent. In 2025, the 8th Fresh Squeezed Ounce of Opera - OOO's yearly short opera showcase - became the most successful to date when analyzing captured data, metrics, artist feedback, and audience surveys. Six sold-out performances of the 8th Fresh Squeezed Ounce of Opera (FSOO) served over 400 audience members, and supported the artistic work of 11 paid singing-actors (all local artists), 5 production team members, and 5 creators (composers and librettists), whose work was chosen and performed. We also offered 24 paid positions to artists from our roster to work front-of-house (2 of each for each of the 6 performances), further strengthening our commitment to our artist community. FSOO was named to the "Austin Chronicle" Top 10 Events of 2025, garnered a glowing review, and received 15 award nominations, walking away with "Outstanding Original Short Script" as well as "Outstanding Production." We also moved into a new venue that allows for higher-quality production values and a more comfortable, accessible audience experience. The professional videos captured live during the showcase have been added to our Digital Opera Channel (YouTube), and have been viewed over 300 times, furthering the reach for our programming, our artist community, and the creators whose work we champion (note: these videos are captioned in both English and Spanish). Our Executive & Artistic Director spends 70% of their time in support of this large, year-round project - including sourcing, reviewing, adjudicating, and choosing the short opera scores; auditioning and casting the shows and contracting the production team; booking the rehearsal and production venue; marketing and publicity for the showcase; directing the showcase; and managing the overall production.
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 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 October 13, 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 December 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 April 2022.
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 October 21, 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.