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Pacific Northwest Ballet Association

EIN 91-0897129 · Seattle, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak34 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Pacific Northwest Ballet Association's (PNB) mission is to set new standards for artistic excellence, innovation and creativity; attract the most talented dancers, choreographers, musicians, collaborative artists, staff and volunteers; educate and develop dance artists as well as enthusiasts; captivate a devoted, supportive, growing and diverse audience; and strengthen our financial and organizational foundation.

Income
$29.5 million
Spending
$32.7 million
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
-1.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 66%
Employees
691
Volunteers
200
Highest pay
$537,972, 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

Weak: 34 out of 100. Higher than 3% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 46% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 11% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 21% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    86% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 12 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 34% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    41 of 41 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 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 (4)
  1. $22.1 million spent. Pacific Northwest Ballet company (PNB) consists of 47 dancers and a live orchestra that annually present six repertory productions of full-length and mixed repertory ballets, and George Balanchine's The Nutcracker(R) at Marion Oliver McCaw Hall that are attended by more than 200,000 adults and children. PNB also performed on tour in Washington DC. Our programming reflects PNB's dedication to making ballet accessible to people of all ages and from all walks of life. We accomplish this by showcasing traditional ballet and innovative contemporary choreography, providing live orchestra music, offering behind-the-scenes experiences, and cultivating new generations of arts participants and enthusiasts through dance education and engagement.
  2. $5.7 million spent. PNB School is regarded as one of the preeminent ballet institutions in the nation, setting the standard for excellence in training. Our Professional Division and Summer Course attract and train talented students from around the United States and the world. The School offers a complete professional curriculum to about 900 students annually and plays an instrumental role in the developing the Company's distinctive style. Students perform in an end of the year performance, and with the company as needed. The School also offers recreational dance instruction. Scholarships totaling over $550,000 are offered to help attract and retain promising young artists. The School has a faculty of 32 instructors and 24 piano accompanists at two locations.
  3. $349,176 spent. Pacific Northwest Ballet (PNB) Community Education program reaches nearly 20,000 community members, including students, teachers, and families through in-school programming, visits to PNB studios, specially-priced student matinees, and community partnerships. We offer residencies for students grades Pre-K to 12, as well as teacher workshops, training and curriculum development. PNB's general audience education includes studio previews and discussions with choreographers and artists.
  4. $106,339 spent. Pacific Northwest Ballet Conditioning uses the Pilates method to help people from all walks of life strengthen and sculpt their bodies. The Pilates sessions develop core strength and stability, increase flexibility, and work for any fitness level.

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 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 June 2025.

    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 March 1973.

    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.