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Taproot Theatre

EIN 91-0971237 · Seattle, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak44 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

TAPROOT THEATRE COMPANY TELLS STORIES OF HOPE, SERVING THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST THROUGH LIVE THEATRE AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS. TAPROOT THEATRE VALUES FAITH, RESPECTS PEOPLE, AND CELEBRATES THEATRE.

Income
$3.6 million
Spending
$3.9 million
Spent on programs
76%
Reserves
-6 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 48%
Employees
215
Volunteers
150
Highest pay
$123,955, producing artistic director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 44 out of 100. Higher than 14% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

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

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 40% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 6% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 40% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    76% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 15 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 49% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 15 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

    0 of 10

    Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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. $2.5 million spent. TAPROOT IS DEDICATED TO CREATING QUALITY ART THAT UNITES PEOPLE THROUGH THE UNIQUE POWER OF LIVE STORYTELLING AND THE RELATIONSHIPS THAT WE BUILD AND NURTURE. STRATEGICALLY LOCATED AS ONE OF THE LARGEST THEATRES OUTSIDE SEATTLE'S DOWNTOWN ARTS CORRIDOR, TAPROOT STRIVES TO BECOME THE THEATRE OF CHOICE FOR NORTH SEATTLE/NORTHWEST KING COUNTY. TAPROOT GENERATES A SHARED SENSE OF COMMUNITY AND HOPE FOR BOTH AUDIENCES AND ARTISTS WITH STORIES THAT AMPLIFY THE HOPE, COURAGE, SELF-SACRIFICE, LOVE, AND REDEMPTION IN OUR WORLD. SINCE RESUMING LIVE IN-PERSON PRODUCTIONS ON THE MAINSTAGE IN NOVEMBER 2021 AFTER AN 18-MONTH DELAY BROUGHT ON BY THE PANDEMIC, TAPROOT HAS PRODUCED A GAMUT OF PRODUCTIONS RANGING FROM CLASSICAL DRAMA TO MODERN COMEDY TO REGIONAL PREMIERE MUSICALS, ALL SHARING THE COMMON THEME OF HOPE. MAKING THEATRE IS VERY DIFFERENT TODAY THAN IT WAS BEFORE THE PANDEMIC, BUT WE ADAPT AND ADJUST CONTINUALLY TO TRY TO GET IT RIGHT. IT'S WORTH IT. WE BELIEVE THAT STORIES, BEAUTIFULLY REALIZED BY A SKILLED ARTISTIC TEAM, HAVE THE POWER TO MOVE PEOPLE, INSPIRING THEM TOWARDS EMPATHY, COMMUNITY, GRACE, GROWTH, AND LOVE OF NEIGHBOR.TAPROOT THEATRE COMPANY PERFORMED 4 PRODUCTIONS IN ITS MAINSTAGE SEASON, PLUS 2 PRODUCTIONS IN THE ISAAC STUDIO, AND THE MAINSTAGE HOLIDAY PRODUCTION. TOTAL ATTENDANCE EXCEEDED 33,000 FOR THE PRODUCTIONS.
  2. $454,571 spent. EDUCATION AND OUTREACH: THE TAPROOT THEATRE'S ROAD COMPANY CONSISTS OF 5 ACTORS WHO PERFORM SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEARNING PLAYS AT PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS. THESE PLAYS FOCUS ON BULLYING PREVENTION, ACCEPTING DIFFERENCES, AND EMPATHY AND EMOTIONAL MANAGEMENT. THE TAPROOT THEATRE ACTING STUDIO CREATES A NURTURING ENVIRONMENT TO HELP YOUTH AND ADULT STUDENTS DEVELOP THEIR UNIQUE THEATRICAL TALENTS AND GIFTS. DURING 2024, THE ACTING STUDIO OFFERED CLASSES AND RESIDENCY OPPORTUNITIES TO 600 STUDENTS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 December 2024.

    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 August 1978.

    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.