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Washington Center for the Performing Arts

EIN 91-1182866 · Olympia, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong90 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The mission of the Washington Center is to inspire audiences and artists of all ages through live performances, enriching the vibrancy of our community. The Washington center for the performing arts was created from a belief that a regional performing arts center was fundamental to the cultural pursuits of our community and vital to a better quality of life.

Income
$3.9 million
Spending
$3.8 million
Spent on programs
91%
Reserves
8.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 67%
Employees
193
Volunteers
96
Highest pay
$159,587, executive dir.

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

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 78% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 13% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 5% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    91% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 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 65% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    18 of 18 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 (3)
  1. $2.5 million spent. ARTISTIC & COMMUNITY PARTNER PROGRAM: THE CENTER IS THE OFFICIAL HOME AND BOX OFFICE FOR OUR 14 LOCAL ARTISTIC AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS SUCH AS THE OLYMPIA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, MASTERWORKS CHORAL ENSEMBLE, BALLET NORTHWEST, OLYMPIA JUNIOR PROGRAMS, STUDENT ORCHESTRAS OF GREATER OLYMPIA, AND MORE. AMONG THE MANY BENEFITS OF THIS UNIQUE COLLABORATION, OUR ARTISTIC AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS RECEIVE SCHEDULING PRIORITY OF THE WASHINGTON CENTER STAGE(S). OUR ARTISTIC PARTNERS HOLD NUMEROUS EVENTS AND PERFORMANCES EACH YEAR, WHICH ACCOUNT FOR 49% OF ALL TICKET SALES AT THE WASHINGTON CENTER. SINCE OUR INCEPTION, THE CENTER HAS PROVIDED A PROFESSIONAL STAFF AND THEATER TO THESE LOCAL NONPROFIT ARTS ORGANIZATIONS, AS WELL AS OTHERS WHO MAY RENT THE VENUE.
  2. $841,770 spent. THE WASHINGTON CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS PRESENTS ITS OWN SERIES OF NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL TOURING ARTISTS FROM A BROAD SPECTRUM OF GENRES AND STYLES. IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS WE HAVE PRESENTED WORLD FAMOUS ARTISTS SUCH AS BEN FOLDS, AIMEE MANN, GREGORY ALAN ISAKOV, LYLE LOVETT , THE NATIONAL BROADWAY TOUR OF DEAR EVAN HANSEN, THE DANCE COMPANY BODY TRAFFIC, ALONG WITH JAZZ, COMEDY, FAMILY ORIENTED PERFORMANCES, NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC EXPLORERS, AND A HUGE VARIETY OF OTHER GENRES. IN ADDITION, WE HAVE A LONG-TERM COLLABORATION WITH INDIGENOUS PERFORMANCE PRODUCTIONS (IPP) TO DEVELOP NEW INDIGENOUS PERFORMANCES TO TOUR THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY AND BEYOND. THE COLLABORATION CREATES WORLD PREMIERES OF THEATER, MUSIC, DANCE AND MULTI-DISCIPLINARY PERFORMANCES BY NATIVE AND INDIGENOUS ARTISTS. THIS PARTNERSHIP IS THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN THE UNITED STATES AND SEEKS TO FULFILL A CRITICAL NEED IN THE FIELD AND HELP TO REVERSE LONG STANDING BARRIERS TO INDIGENOUS PERFORMING ARTISTS ENTERING THE TOURING CIRCUIT.
  3. $152,677 spent. YOUTH EDUCATION & OUTREACH: PARTICIPATING IN THE ARTS AND PERFORMING IN FRONT OF A LIVE AUDIENCE HELPS OUR LOCAL YOUTH GROW AS ARTISTS, DEVELOP PROFESSIONALISM, AND MANY GREAT ATTRIBUTES AND REAL-WORLD SKILLS. THE ARTS HELP IMPROVE OPEN MINDEDNESS, EMPATHY, OBSERVATION, ARTICULATING COMPLEX THOUGHTS, FOCUS, REASONING, AND SELF-AWARENESS. OUR YOUTH EDUCATION AND OUTREACH PROGRAM IS GROWING EVERY YEAR AND INCLUDES STUDENT MATINEES, MASTERCLASSES, TALK-BACKS, AND OTHER TOUCHPOINTS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR ENGAGEMENT APPROPRIATE FOR CURRENT SEASON OPPORTUNITIES.

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 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 June 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 December 1982.

    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.

  7. Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.

    A much larger organization has a similar name: Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts Inc (New York, NY), EIN 13-1847137. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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.