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Mountain Play Association

EIN 94-6092215 · San Rafael, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak30 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • 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

BUILDING ON A CENTURY OF TRADITION, THE MOUNTAIN PLAY ASSOCIATION PRODUCES ENRICHING THEATRICAL EXPERIENCES THAT PROMOTE LIFELONG APPRECIATION FOR LIVE PERFORMING ARTS, AND CULMINATES IN AN ANNUAL, SPECTACULAR, OUTDOOR PRODUCTION THAT STRENGTHENS THE COMMUNITY AND NURTURES APPRECIATION OF MOUNT TAMALPAIS.

Income
$510,340
Spending
$329,761
Spent on programs
77%
Reserves
-9.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 83%
Employees
107

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 30 out of 100. Higher than 4% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    0 of 20

    It owes 226% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 35% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 58% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    77% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 91 out of 100. Higher than 79% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a 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 August 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 (1)
  1. $254,549 spent. WE PRODUCE THEATRICAL EXPERIENCES IN THE HISTORIC CUSHING MEMORIAL AMPHITHEATRE, AN OUTDOOR, GREEK-STYLE STONE THEATRE BUILT BY THE WPA AND NESTLED AT THE TOP OF MOUNT TAMALPAIS, OVERLOOKING THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY, AS WELL AS INDOOR & ONLINE PERFORMANCES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. AT EACH PERFORMANCE, LOW FEE TRANSPORTATION TO THE THEATRE FROM THREE SITES IN MILL VALLEY IS PROVIDED FOR PATRONS IN SCHOOL BUSES. RETURN TRANSPORTATION IS PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE BY THE ORGANIZATION. AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETATION IS PROVIDED AT SOME PERFORMANCES. LOCAL AGENCIES PARTICIPATE IN OUR "DAY ON THE MOUNTAIN" COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM, RECEIVING FREE TICKETS, ROUNDTRIP TRANSPORTATION, T-SHIRTS, LUNCH AND A GUIDED HIKE IN THE STATE PARK. WE ALSO PROVIDE TEACHING ARTISTS FOR AFTER SCHOOL STUDENTS AND PROVIDE A THEATRE PROGRAM USING DRAMA SKILLS TO PROVIDE YOUNG PEOPLE WITH A SAFE SPACE TO EXPLORE, CREATE AND EXPRESS THEMSELVES. WE WORK TO INTEGRATE OUR ANNUAL PROGRAMMING WITH THE WHOLE COMMUNITY, DEEPENING THE BONDS BETWEEN AUDIENCE AND THE ARTS, THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS, EDUCATION, COLLABORATION AND FUN WE PRODUCE THEATRICAL EXPERIENCES IN THE HISTORIC CUSHING MEMORIAL AMPHITHEATRE, AN OUTDOOR, GREEK-STYLE STONE THEATRE BUILT BY THE WPA AND NESTLED AT THE TOP OF MOUNT TAMALPAIS, OVERLOOKING THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY, AS WELL AS INDOOR & ONLINE PERFORMANCES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. AT EACH PERFORMANCE, LOW FEE TRANSPORTATION TO THE THEATRE FROM THREE SITES IN MILL VALLEY IS PROVIDED FOR PATRONS IN SCHOOL BUSES. RETURN TRANSPORTATION IS PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE BY THE ORGANIZATION. AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETATION IS PROVIDED AT SOME PERFORMANCES. LOCAL AGENCIES PARTICIPATE IN OUR "DAY ON THE MOUNTAIN" COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM, RECEIVING FREE TICKETS, ROUNDTRIP TRANSPORTATION, T-SHIRTS, LUNCH AND A GUIDED HIKE IN THE STATE PARK. WE ALSO PROVIDE TEACHING ARTISTS FOR AFTER SCHOOL STUDENTS AND PROVIDE A THEATRE PROGRAM USING DRAMA SKILLS TO PROVIDE YOUNG PEOPLE WITH A SAFE SPACE TO EXPLORE, CREATE AND EXPRESS THEMSELVES. WE WORK TO INTEGRATE OUR ANNUAL PROGRAMMING WITH THE WHOLE COMMUNITY, DEEPENING THE BONDS BETWEEN AUDIENCE AND THE ARTS, THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS, EDUCATION, COLLABORATION AND FUN

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 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 August 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 December 1955.

    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.