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Seattle Public Theater

EIN 91-1398805 · Seattle, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak31 out of 100GovernanceFair59 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

EMBRACING HISTORICALLY EXCLUDED IDENTITIES AND EMERGING ARTISTS, SEATTLE PUBLIC THEATER PRODUCES COMPELLING WORK THAT SPARKS CONVERSATION AND IGNITES EMPATHY.

Income
$822,650
Spending
$822,647
Spent on programs
63%
Reserves
0.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 47%
Employees
33
Volunteers
0

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

Weak: 31 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 96% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 17% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    63% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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

Fair: 59 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 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 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 (2)
  1. $494,412 spent. WE PRESENTED 5 FULL LENGTH MAINSTAGE PRODUCTIONS, 9 TWO WEEK OR LESS PRODUCTIONS AND A NEW WORKS FESTIVAL. SEATTLE PUBLIC THEATER IS THRIVING.TITANISH THE CLOCKWORK PROFESSOR EDUCATION DEPARTMENT PRODUCTIONWHERE IS HERE?SQUEEZETHE PARKA VERY DIEHARD CHRISTMASILLUMINATING THE DARK AND EVENING OF SHORT STORIESTHE WORLD LOOKS DIFFERENT SITTING DOWN WORKSHOP PRODUCTIONFUSELAGE WORKSHOP PRODUCTIONYOUTH VOICES PERFORMANCELETTERS FROM MAXHERE AND THEIR THE MUSICAL WORKSHOP PRODUCTIONHOUSE OF JOY35TH SEASON ANNOUNCEMENT PARTYLOCAL PLAYWRIGHTS COFFEE HOURTHE DISTILLERY NEW WORKS FESTIVAL
  2. $23,362 spent. EDUCATION - WE HAVE HIRED AN EDUCATION DIRECTOR WHO WILL BE GROWING OUR PROGRAM OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS. CURRENTLY OUR PROGRAMMING INCLUDES: YOUTH VOICES WRITING TO PERFORMANCE, SHOW NIGHTS FOR TEENS AND YOUTH ADVISORY BOARD. WE CONTINUE TO PRODUCE OUR YOUTH SUMMER SHOW.

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 May 1993.

    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.