Allens Community Theatre
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Allen Contemporary Theatre seeks to entertain and enrich the cultural life of the community through a wide variety of challenging and creative theatrical experiences. We welcome all who wish to participate, help, or express themselves through theatre, both on and off stage.
- Income
- $231,279
- Spending
- $178,500
- Spent on programs
- 100%
- Reserves
- 12 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 69%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 500
- Highest pay
- $2,100, membert at large
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 85% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 12.0 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 23% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 11% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 15100% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Fair: 59 out of 100. Higher than 44% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).
Independent board
25 of 2510 of 10 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no 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
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 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 (3)
- $66,068 spent. Allen Contemporary Theatre presented seven (7) theatrical productions in 2025. We opened the season (1st) with "Almost, Maine" by John Cariani. On a cold, clear midwinter night in the mythical town of Almost, Main, propelled by the mystical energy of aurora borealis, Almost's residents experience the life-alter power of the human heart. In unexpected and often hilarious ways, relationships begin and end, strangers become friends, friends become lovers, and lovers turn into strangers. The next (2nd) production was "Moriarty," a new Sherlock Holmes adventure written by Ken Ludwig. Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson are back! Faced with their toughest case yet, they join forces with an American actress to take down the cunning criminal mastermind, Professor Moriarty. Five actors play over 20 roles in this brand-new adventure that has danger and laughter around every corner. The third (3rd) production was "The Outsider," written by Paul Slade Smith. Ned Newly doesn't want to be Governor. In fact, he is terrified of public speaking, but when he unexpectedly finds himself in the spotlight, a political consultant seizes the opportunity. This satirical comedy hilariously skewers American politics while reminding us that even the most ordinary among us can give extraordinary hope. Next (4th) was "Curtains," a musical whodunnit, book by Ruper Holmes, music by John Kander, and lyrics by Fred Ebb. It's the brassy, bright, and promising year of 1959 and Boston's Colonial Theatre is playing host to the opening night performance of a new musical. When the profoundly untalented leading leady mysteriously dies on stage, the local detective, who just happens to be a musical theatre fan, not only wants to find the killer, but wants to help them put on a killer show! Next (5th) was "Sense and Sensibility" by Kate Hamill, based on the novel by Jane Austen. This adaptation follows the Dashwood sisters - sensible Elinor and sensitive Marianna - after their father's sudden death leaves them financially destitute and socially vulnerable. Set in gossipy late 18th-centry England, the play is full of humor and emotional depth and examines our reactions, both reasonable and ridiculous, to societal pressures. Next (6th) was "Dracula, a Comedy of Terrors" by Gordon Greenberg and Steve Rosen. Nobody's ever seen Dracula this funny. This is a "Bram-new" comedy filled with clever wordplay and anything-goes pop culture references. You'll see actors play dozens of zany characters in a madcap take on the classic tale that's guaranteed to induce blood-curdling screams - of laughter! Finally, the season closed (7th) with "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, book by Rachel Sheinkin, music and lyrics by William Finn. This heartfelt, Tony-Award winning musical follows a group of wonderfully unique impassioned adolescents as they compete for the bee championship while candidly disclosing hilarious and touching stories from their home lives. It's a joyful night of comedy and quirk that celebrates the pursuit of victory and the gift of being true to oneself. Brand recognition, patron attraction, production and performance talent acquisition, and the overall image of ACT have maintained their momentum since 2023, and we are continue to craft seasons that offer performances of varying levels of audience preference, from farcical comedies, intense dramas, upbeat musicals, to classic stories based on well-known novels or film adaptations. With excess cash flow, ACT continues to reinvest the funds toward subsequent seasons and toward improving the performance space and common areas for both the audience and talent on stage. Excess funds will also be retained in a reserve in preparation for ACT's prospective relocation approximately 5 years from now. ACT's seasons have periods when the theater space is not in use for plays, musicals, rehearsals, set building, or meetings. During these gaps, ACT has continued to offer special "Spotlight" events to continue to provide a place of interest, involvement, and engagement from our audiences. In 2025, two (2) "Spotlight on Musicals" installments were presented, once in February, and the other in September. Both showcases contained a night filled with vocal performances featuring songs from popular Broadway musicals. All bonus events have been well-received by audiences and performers, and there is continued enthusiasm for us to keep such events, as well as revitalize our "Grahamies" rewards ceremony for future seasons.
- $22,179 spent. In 2025, ACT offered four (4) theatre-related camps - two (2) in the spring from February to April and two (2) in the fall from October to December - where classes were held on a specific weekday. During both the spring and fall, one of the classes was for "Rising Star" actors (Kindergarten through 4th grade) on Thursdays, where students learned basic actings skills, what a character is, and how to work together. The other class, also both in spring and fall, was "Intermediate Actors" (grades 5 through 8) on Tuesdays, where students learned how to get into character and figure out what that character would think, feel, like and dislike. The final day for each class was a performance for students to showcase what they learned in the class. All camps were taught by experienced theatre professionals. Due to the overwhelming success the year prior, throughout the summer of 2025, ACT continued to offer 2-week intensive camps, where students would participate in Jr. production from the ground up, where they be a part of the full rehearsal process: learning and memorizing music, lines, and dancing, getting into costumes, applying makeup, set changes, etc. In June, students put on a production of "Junie B. Jones Jr.," book and lyrics by Marcy Heisler and music by Zina Goldrish, adapted from Barbara Park's beloved series. Join Junie B. on her first day of first grade, where many changes are in store: Junie's best friend Lucille has found new best friends - and Junie B. makes friends with Herb, the new kid at school. While in Mr. Scary's class, Junie has trouble reading the blackboard - and she may need glasses. Add in a friendly cafeteria lady, an intense kickball tournament and a "Top-Secret Personal Beeswax Journal." First grade has never been more exciting! In July, students put on a production of "The SpongeBob Musical: Youth Edition," book written by Kyle Jarrow and conceived by Tina Landau, featuring a score with original songs by various artists, including Cyndi Lauper, Sara Bareilles, John Legend, Panic! At the Disco, and David Bowie. When the citizens of Bikini Bottom discover that a volcano will soon erupt and destroy their humble home, SpongeBob and his friends must come together to save the fate of their undersea world. With lives hanging in the balance and all hope is lost, a most unexpected hero rises up. The power of optimism really can save the world! The 2-week intensive model also proved to be a great success for the theatre much like the previous year, and we will continue to include this in our curriculum and refine the process in the years to come. The Education Director role is undergoing a transition period, and ACT took a step back from offering one-day adult workshops in 2025 and will reorganize this portion of the education program in future years when capacity allows.
- $90,253 spent. This encompasses ACT's management of general grants received, general expenses, and the leasing, improving, and maintenance of our 101-seat facility during 2025. In 2025, we received a $10,000 grant from the Allen Community Development Corporation (CDC) and a $3,000 Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) grant also from the City of Allen. In addition to the government grants received, ACT received a $10,350 grant from the Allen Arts Alliance (AAA), a private entity, resulting in $23,350 in total grants. All grants required comprehensive applications to receive funding and reporting on the usage of funds. This $23,350 amount, along with individual and corporate donations ($25,329) came to a total of $48,679. Expenses totaled $90,253, most of which can be attributed to the lease ($60,000). Other facility expenses in decreasing order: utilities ($8,083), storage ($4,488), repairs & maintenance ($3,843), liability insurance ($1,162), and improvements ($386). This results in $77,962 in total facilities expenses. Other operating expenses, which encompass marketing, concessions, dues & subscriptions, info tech, supplies, and general production costs, totaled $12,291.
Source: Form 990 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 September 2012.
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.