Oakland Ballet Company
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.
- It owes more than it owns.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
Oakland Ballet Company's mission is to inspire the community by keeping the tradition of ballet exciting, vibrant and accessible.
- Income
- $1.0 million
- Spending
- $1.0 million
- Spent on programs
- 87%
- Reserves
- -0.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 55%
- Employees
- 31
- Volunteers
- 83
- Highest pay
- $92,292, 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
Weak: 38 out of 100. Higher than 9% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
0 of 20It owes 176% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 4% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 3% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1587% 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
Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 25% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2512 of 13 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
0 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
0 of 10Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, 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)
- $859,480 spent. Oakland Ballets annual season includes 3-4 distinct performance programs with approximately 20 performances total throughout the East Bay - spanning from Oakland, to Livermore, to San Jose - along with tours of select repertory throughout the country. Annual performance programs include: Luna Mexicana (October/November): a celebration of Dia de los Muertos and Latinx arts and culture. Graham Lustigs The Nutcracker (December): a holiday classic is a holiday tradition for many community members. Dancing Moons Festival (March/April): this program presented in partnership with the Oakland Asian Cultural Center, celebrates choreographers, dancers, and artists of AAPI heritage. Spring Repertory Program (May/June): OBCs annual repertory program is curated by Artistic Director Graham Lustig - featuring different repertory, classic story ballets, new works, and/or collaborations with other artists and arts groups. 2024-2025 performances: - 6 public performances with 8,646 attendees. 4 in theater student performances with 3,671 attendees
- $33,861 spent. OBC Operates a summer academy dedicated to training the next generation of aspiring young dancers.
- $17,558 spent. In addition to professional performances, OBC is committed to ensuring arts education is available Oakland and East Bay schools and students. Our Discover Dance program is aimed at exposing youth to the art of dance through a comprehensive dance education programming for local schools. All programs are free of cost for Oakland schools with Title I status. 13 in school assemblies with 3,869 attendees
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
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 June 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 June 2001.
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.