Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Spectrum Dance Theater

EIN 91-1263530 · Seattle, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood71 out of 100GovernanceGood75 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The mission of Spectrum Dance Theater is: To produce and present contemporary dance of global caliber that challenges expectations and calls forth strong emotions, deep feelings, and thoughtful responses. To provide expert dance instruction in diverse dance forms to all. To educate the community about dance as an art form and as a social/civic instrument.

Income
$1.1 million
Spending
$957,079
Spent on programs
71%
Reserves
2.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 60%
Employees
13
Volunteers
25
Highest pay
$92,060, interim executive director

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

Financial health

Good: 71 out of 100. Higher than 49% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 19% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 13% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 18% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    71% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 cents.

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

Governance

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 25% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 6 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 July 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 (3)
  1. $305,714 spent. Dance Company: During the 2024-25 fiscal year, the company held three productions for its programming season. In October 2024, the company held performances of Occurrence #13 at The Tricia Stromberg Studio Theater, Seattle, WA. In March 2025, a performance of Identity with Music of Remembrance was hosted at Benaroya Hall, Seattle, WA. In May 2025, the world premiere of Localities/An Odyssey Pt. 1 was hosted at The Tricia Stromberg Studio Theater, Seattle, WA. In June 2025, the company hosted the Octavia Butler Birthday Celebration at Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute, Seattle, WA. Finally, in July 2025, as part of Spectrum's school programming the company hosted the Donald Byrd Workshop at Spectrum Dance Theater.
  2. $305,714 spent. School: Over 300 students of all ages come through the studios each year to take one or more classes offered at Spectrum. Spectrum offers 50 classes a week, totaling 55.5 hours of instruction, taught by over 18 faculty members. Spectrum is open fifty weeks per year, and our youngest students are 18 months, and our more mature students are in their eighties and nineties. The dance classes offered are Movement with Your Toddler, Creative Dance, Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Hip-Hop, Pop n' Lock, Fitness for Living, and Global Dance. Spectrum's Gift of Dance Scholarship provides 25+ scholarships allocated to students aged 5-21. Spectrum also provides 120 hours of dance education per year in the public and private schools throughout the Seattle area.
  3. $67,936 spent. Community Engagement: Spectrum Dance Theater's Engagement Programs provides dance classes, access, education and services that contribute to the health and well-being of the community at large. Most community engagement programs are free of charge.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 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 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 July 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 October 1989.

    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.