5th Avenue Theatre Association
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.
- It owes more than it owns.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
TO NURTURE, ADVANCE, AND CELEBRATE ALL ASPECTS OF THE GREAT ART FORM: THE MUSICAL.
- Income
- $2.8 million
- Spending
- $2.2 million
- Spent on programs
- 78%
- Reserves
- -50.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 69%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 1,637
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: 30 out of 100. Higher than 4% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
0 of 20It owes 103% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 23% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 87% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1578% 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
Fair: 63 out of 100. Higher than 14% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2525 of 26 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Independent check of accounts
0 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
0 of 10Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, 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 (1)
- $1.7 million spent. THE 5TH AVENUE THEATRE'S MISSION IS TO NURTURE, ADVANCE, AND CELEBRATE ALL ASPECTS OF THE GREAT ART FORM: THE MUSICAL. THE 5TH REACHES 180,000 PEOPLE THROUGH PROGRAMS AT ITS DOWNTOWN SEATTLE VENUE AND IN COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE STATE. WE PRODUCE A MAINSTAGE SEASON, WITH A MIX OF LOCALLY CREATED AND PRODUCED SHOWS AND WE ALSO HOST NATIONAL TOURS. THERE ARE 150+ PERFORMANCES ON OUR STAGE EACH YEAR WHERE 500+ VOLUNTEERS HELP GREET AND USHER. ONE OF THE REGION'S LARGEST ARTS EMPLOYERS, WE EMPLOY 700+ PEOPLE A YEAR. OUR EDUCATION PROGRAMS REACH K-12 GRADES AND HAVE HISTORICALLY SERVED 30,000-75,000 YOUTH, EDUCATORS, AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS. EACH SEASON, WE PROVIDE FREE TICKETS TO LOCAL NON-PROFITS, DISCOUNTED TICKETS FOR PATRONS, AND ACCESSIBILITY SERVICES FOR 5,000+ PATRONS. THE 5TH HAS PRODUCED 20 NEW MUSICALS; NINE WENT TO BROADWAY.DURING FY25, THE 5TH AVENUE THEATRE ENTERED A PARTNERSHIP WITH SEATTLE THEATRE GROUP IN WHICH STG WILL MANAGE THE THEATER BUILDING WHILE THE 5TH CONTINUES PRODUCING ITS OWN SHOWS INDEPENDENTLY. THIS MOVE IS DESIGNED TO STRENGTHEN FINANCIAL STABILITY; SUPPORT LOCALLY PRODUCED MUSICAL THEATER AND MAKE FULLER USE OF THE HISTORIC VENUE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. THE ARRANGEMENT ALSO AIMS TO BRING MORE EVENTS AND VISITORS TO THE DOWNTOWN AREA ALLOWING STG AND THE 5TH TO ACTIVATE THE SPACE SEPARATELY AND AS CO-PRESENTING PARTNERS, STRENGTHENING THE 5TH AVENUE'S STATUS AS A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION.
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
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 July 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 March 1980.
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.