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Cornerstone Theater Company Inc

EIN 95-4493498 · Pasadena, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood86 out of 100GovernanceStrong97 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

CORNERSTONE THEATER COMPANY COLLABORATES WITH COMMUNITIES. OUR WORK REFLECTS COMPLEXITY, DISRUPTS ASSUMPTIONS, WELCOMES DIFFERENCE, AND AMPLIFIES JOY.

Income
$814,529
Spending
$610,966
Spent on programs
58%
Reserves
9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 62%
Employees
22
Volunteers
25
Highest pay
$113,556, managing director

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

Good: 86 out of 100. Higher than 71% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 9.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 25% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 126% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    58% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 13 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

Strong: 97 out of 100. Higher than 91% 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.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

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

  • Independent check of accounts

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • 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 (1)
  1. $356,324 spent. CORNERSTONE'S MAIN PROGRAMMING OBJECTIVE IS TO COLLABORATE WITH COMMUNITIES AND MAKE ART THAT IMAGINES JUSTICE, CONSPIRES DISCOURSE, MANIFESTS EXPANSIVE JOY, AND CREATES CHANGE. THE COMPANY APPROACHES THIS OBJECTIVE FROM DIFFERENT POINTS OF ENTRY, AND OUR PROCESS PLAYS ITSELF OUT IN YEAR-ROUND PROGRAMMING. CORNERSTONE'S COMMUNITY COLLABORATIONS CULMINATE IN FULLY PRODUCED THEATRICAL PRODUCTIONS BUT BEGIN WITH PARTICIPATORY ENGAGEMENTS - STORY CIRCLES, WORKSHOPS, SKILL SHARES AND CREATIVE MUTUAL AID. CORNERSTONE'S COMMUNITY COLLABORATIONS UNFOLD ACROSS YEARS OF INTIMATE, CREATIVE LABOR THAT INCLUDES THE PUBLIC AT EVERY JUNCTURE AS A NECESSARY PARTNER IN THE DEVELOPMENT PROCESS. THE COMPANY BELIEVE IN A "PUBLIC DRAMATURGY" THAT POSITIONS AUDIENCES -- OFTEN COMPOSED OF WIDER COMMUNITY MEMBERS, FRIENDS AND FAMILY -- IN DIALOGUE WITH THE WORK AS IT DEVELOPS.

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 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 June 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 May 1995.

    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.