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Musical Theatre West

EIN 95-6100108 · Long Beach, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair67 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

PRESERVING MUSICAL THEATRE AS A UNIQUE ART FORM AND ENRICHING THE CULTURAL LIFE OF THE COMMUNITY THROUGH THE PRESENTATION OF ESTABLISHED MUSICALS, DEVELOPMENT OF NEW WORKS, AND YOUTH ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS.

Income
$4.4 million
Spending
$4.4 million
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
10.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 53%
Employees
261
Volunteers
309
Highest pay
$170,000, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 67 out of 100. Higher than 43% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 10.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 25% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 25% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    83% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    20 of 20 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 December 31, 2024, 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)
  1. $3.4 million spent. MUSICAL PRODUCTIONS - THE ORGANIZATION PRESENTS FOUR LIVE MUSICAL MAIN STAGE SHOWS AND SEVERAL SMALLER CONCERT-STYLE PERFORMANCES ''NEW WORKS READINGS'' FOR THE COMMUNITY THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. SERVES MORE THAN 80,000 PATRONS ANNUALLY.
  2. $267,912 spent. YOUTH EDUCATION AND OUTREACH - THIS PROGRAM BRINGS THE JOY AND MAGIC OF MUSICAL THEATER TO OVER 18,000 CHILDREN EACH YEAR THROUGH SPECIAL ''STUDENT MATINEES'' MORNING PERFORMANCES, IN-SCHOOL ASSEMBLIES, LIBRARY TOURS, CLASSES, WORKSHOPS, AND THE SUMMER YOUTH CONSERVATORY.
  3. TRAVEL CLUB - DURING 2024, THE ORGANIZATION TOOK 121 TRAVELERS TO NEW YORK TO DINE, SIGHTSEE, AND EXPERIENCE GREAT THEATER. ANNUALLY THE TRAVEL CLUB TAKES TWO TRIPS TO NEW YORK CITY. THEN, EVERY OTHER YEAR, TO ANOTHER DESTINATION IN THE U.S. OR ABROAD.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 December 2024.

    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 November 1964.

    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.