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Passes our checks

Ballet Theatre of Des Moines

EIN 94-3417247 · Des Moines, IA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceWeak35 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO ENRICH LIVES THROUGH INSPIRING DANCE PERFORMANCES, INCLUSIVE EDUCATION, OUTREACH PROGRAMS, AND INNOVATIVE COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS.

Income
$3.1 million
Spending
$2.1 million
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
13.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 75%
Employees
21
Volunteers
150
Highest pay
$124,273, ceo

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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 89% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 13.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 12% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 34% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 10% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    89% 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

Weak: 35 out of 100. Higher than 2% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    0 of 17 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.

  • 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 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 (4)
  1. $1.6 million spent. DELIVERED A FULL SEASON OF FREE AND TICKETED PERFORMANCES IN COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE STATE OF IOWA, WITH FOUR MAINSTAGE PRODUCTIONS AND A STATE-WIDE SUMMER TOUR REACHING APPROXIMATELY 15,000 PATRONS. DESIGNED AND DELIVERED A FULL SEASON OF INTEGRATED ARTS EDUCATION PROGRAMS, EXPLORING VARIOUS SUBJECTS THROUGH THE LENS OF MUSIC AND MOVEMENT, IN ORDER TO BUILD CONFIDENCE, INSPIRE CREATIVITY, AND IMPROVE SUCCESS METRICS FOR STUDENTS ACROSS THE REGION. PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES AND SCHOLARSHIPS FOR YOUNG DANCERS TO TRAIN AND PERFORM ALONGSIDE THEIR REGION'S PROFESSIONAL BALLET COMPANY.
  2. $40,867 spent. PROVIDE EDUCATION AND INCREASE COMMUNITY AWARENESS TO THE PUBLIC AND THROUGH THE SCHOOLS TO IMPROVE PERCEPTIONS OF BALLET AND FOSTER INTEREST AND APPRECIATION FOR BALLET, DANCE AND THE PERFORMING ARTS.
  3. $200,274 spent. NEW ASSETS PURCHASED FOR THE CONTINUING SUPPORT OF PROVIDING EXCELLENT ART AND PERFORMANCES TO THE PUBLIC ON FREE AND TICKET SHOWS.
  4. NEW ASSETS PURCHASED FOR THE CONTINUING SUPPORT OF PROVIDING EXCELLENT ART AND PERFORMANCES TO THE PUBLIC ON FREE AND TICKET SHOWS.

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 November 6, 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 April 2002.

    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 November 4, 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.