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Pasadena Playhouse State Theatre of California Inc

EIN 95-3473192 · Pasadena, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair69 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE PASADENA PLAYHOUSE STATE THEATER OF CALIFORNIA IS A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION WHOSE MISSION IS TO ENRICH PEOPLE'S LIVES THROUGH THEATER. OUR PROGRAMMATIC OFFERINGS INCLUDE THEATRICAL PRODUCTIONS, COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAMS, EDUCATION, AND THEATER LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES.

Income
$18.8 million
Spending
$11.6 million
Spent on programs
77%
Reserves
0.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 78%
Employees
272
Volunteers
340
Highest pay
$299,639, producing artistic dir./trustee

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

Fair: 69 out of 100. Higher than 43% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 11% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 38% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 68% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    77% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 34% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    25 of 26 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.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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 (2)
  1. $8.0 million spent. THE PLAYHOUSE'S 2024-2025 MAINSTAGE SEASON FEATURED A FRESH TAKE ON THEATER CLASSIC "CYRANO DE BERGERAC; "LA CAGE AUX FOLLES" DIRECTED BY TONY AWARD WINNER SAM PINKLETON; STAGED CONCERT PRODUCTIONS OF "FOLLIES AND "ANYTHING GOES" (CANCELLED DUE TO THE EATON FIRE); PULITZER-PRIZE WINNING PLAY "TOPDOG/UNDERDOG; AND "A DOLL'S HOUSE, PART 2" DIRECTED BY JENNIFER CHANG.
  2. $1.0 million spent. PASADENA PLAYHOUSE OFFERED MUSICAL THEATER CAMPS FOR CHILDREN, THEATER CLASSES FOR CHILDREN AND TEENS, AND WORKSHOPS PRESENTED IN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS. THEATER PRODUCTIONS FOR FAMILIES AND YOUNG AUDIENCES INCLUDED THE WORLD PREMIERE OF THE MUSICAL "LYLE, LYLE, CROCODILE."

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since October 1981.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.