Hawthorne Arts Collaborative
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Promote and preserve the legacy of the historic Colonial Theatre as a historic cinema and theatre. Promote and provide for the cultural and artistic education of persons of all ages through presentation of film, live performance, fostering partnerships, and nurturing creative community engagement across disciplines.
- Income
- $373,179
- Spending
- $393,922
- Spent on programs
- 81%
- Reserves
- -28.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 80%
- Employees
- 12
- Highest pay
- $60,000, executive dir.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 36 out of 100. Higher than 8% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
2 of 20It owes 92% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 6% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 117% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1581% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 32 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Fair: 56 out of 100. Higher than 24% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 256 of 6 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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)
- $317,574 spent. Promote and support cultural and artistic education for people of all ages through the presentation of film, live performance, and other forms of artistic expression.Promote and support public education through the presentation of films and panel discussions that address issues of importance to the residents of mid-coast Maine.Preserve, protect, and operate the historic Colonial Theatre, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and serving as an important cultural landmark in mid-coast Maine.Promote and support the education and development of filmmakers and other artists across a variety of disciplines.Through its stewardship of the Colonial Theatre, Hawthorne Arts Collaborative provides affordable, accessible cultural experiences to residents of Waldo County and beyond. As the only multi-screen cinema and performance venue of its kind in the area, the Colonial Theatre serves as a vital cultural hub. Hawthorne Arts Collaborative curates inclusive programming designed to reflect and engage the full diversity of our community. In 2024, Hawthorne Arts Collaborative programmed over 125 films and events at the Colonial Theatre, which served over 21,000 attendees of all ages. Of these events, twenty four events featured emerging filmmakers, many with in-person Q&As and panel discussions. There were also eleven live performances and community events. Community partners and area students were engaged in many programs and events across disciplines.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 December 2024.
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 November 2023.
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.