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Village Theatre

EIN 91-1077130 · Issaquah, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak44 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

To be a regionally recognized and nationally influential center of excellence in family theatre: to promote a season of top quality productions; to commission and produce new musicals that achieve national exposure; to train young people in theatre skills for career opportunities and enriched lives; to develop a broad based appreciation for live theatre; to promote positive values through art.

Income
$15.5 million
Spending
$16.6 million
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
-2.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 69%
Employees
533
Volunteers
3,459
Highest pay
$268,918, artistic director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 44 out of 100. Higher than 11% 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 45% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 7% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 35% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 13 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 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

    23 of 23 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 August 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 (4)
  1. $12.3 million spent. Mainstage productions focus on excellence in family theatre, developing a broad based appreciation for live theatre and promoting positive values through art. A Mainstage season consisting of four musicals and one play were produced from September to August at two venues in Issaquah and Everett, Washington. Attendance was 119,591 at 312 performances.
  2. $245,986 spent. Village Originals is a mission-driven program to commission and produce new musicals that achieve national exposure. Through the Village Originals program, new works are produced to various degrees in collaboration with the show's creators. This process helps to foster the growth of new musicals in America and around the world. Village Theatre is one of only a handful of professional theatre companies throughout the country that commissions and develops new musicals. Village Theatre's reputation in this arena continues to grow on a national and international level. Writer's Residencies help writers to develop ideas, create material, test drafts, provide feedback and receive dramaturgical support. Readings allow writers to hear their piece performed by professional actors without sets or costumes. Developmental Productions allow the writers to see their piece on stage and in front of an audience with limited sets and costumes. During the fiscal year ending 8/31/25, Village Theatre hosted the Festival of New Musicals which spotlighted reading of four new musicals over three days. Total attendance at the festival readings was 1,244
  3. $1.7 million spent. KIDSTAGE trains young people in theatre skills for career opportunities and enriched lives by offering classes and performance opportunities. KIDSTAGE education programs consist of year-round classes and camps; and performance opportunities in two locations: Issaquah and Everett, Washington. Enrollment in classes was approximately 2,445 students. KIDSTAGE produced 6 musicals throughout the year between both locations. An audience of 8,904 attended 52 performances. Some of the performance opportunities are provided at no cost to the students, while others are tuition based with scholarships available.
  4. $109,138 spent. The Everett Performing Arts Center is a separate live theatre facility located in Everett, WA. In addition to our Mainstage productions Village Theatre facilitates a variety of on-stage experiences for Everett audiences, including local chorale groups and children's plays. Expenses include direct expenses associated only with outside arts programming and do not include expenses for Village Theatre programs which are required under the management contract with the City of Everett and which are included elsewhere in the program/service accomplishments. Approximately 7,501 patrons and students attended events at the facility during 2024/2025.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 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 October 13, 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 August 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 September 1979.

    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 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.