San Francisco Performances Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
SFP presents internationally acclaimed and emerging performing artists, introduces innovative programs, and builds new and diversified audiences for the arts through education and outreach activities.
- Income
- $2.9 million
- Spending
- $2.5 million
- Spent on programs
- 77%
- Reserves
- 3.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- investment income, 46%
- Employees
- 14
- Volunteers
- 27
- Highest pay
- $163,898, president
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: 81 out of 100. Higher than 63% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 3.7 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 20% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 15% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 96% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1576% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 27 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
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2515 of 16 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
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited 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 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)
- $1.9 million spent. mainstage performances and education programs---------------------------------------------San Francisco Performances has grown from a first season in 198081 of seven performances to its current season of over 200 memorable performances and programs by some of the world's most exceptional artists.San Francisco Performances has led the way in presenting todays great artists in solo recitals, most often in the intimate acoustics of Herbst Theatre, giving audiences the up-close and personal experience for which we are well known.Artists whom San Francisco Performances has introduced in San Francisco recital
- debuts include cellist Yo-Yo Ma, violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter, pianists Evgeny Kissin, Andrs Schiff, Mitsuko Uchida and Ivo Pogorelich, soprano Dawn Upshaw,violinist Gidon Kremer, violist Yuri Bashmet, and bassist Edgar Meyer, to name just a few. Important San Francisco debuts in dance include the Paul Taylor Dance Company, Ballet Preljocaj from France, Sweden's Cullberg Ballet and Batsheva from Israel.The unique multi-year Artists-in-Residence programs sustain an ongoing presence in various Bay Area communities. The Alexander String Quartet -for nearly three decades our String Quartet-in-Residence in association with San Francisco State University -established innovative chamber music studies for high school students and created an inspiring Saturday morning series with lectures by Robert Greenberg for adults.
- FOR NEARLY TWO DECADES, RESIDENT ARTIST PROGRAMS IN JAZZ, GUITAR, DANCE, VOCAL, ANDMUSIC COMPOSITION CONTINUE AND THRIVE WITH EDUCATION PROGRAMS FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS, FAMILIES, AND ADULTS.In 35 years we have presented hundreds of acclaimed and emerging touring artists in classical chamber music and recitals, contemporary dance and jazz to complement the Bay Areas own live performing arts.
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
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 October 1979.
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.