Is Center Theatre Inc Legit?

Spending Breakdown

How Center Theatre Inc allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

80%

Program Spending

Healthy — majority goes to mission

15%

Admin Costs

Reasonable — admin costs in check

Fundraising

Within typical range

How to read this: Well-run charities typically spend 75% or more on programs, keep admin under 25%, and fundraising under 15%. A high program ratio means more of every dollar goes directly to the mission.

How to Interpret This Report

What Red Flags Mean

Red flags are potential warning signs identified by AI analysis of IRS 990 filings. They may indicate issues like declining revenue, high executive pay relative to program spending, lack of transparency, or governance concerns. A single red flag does not necessarily mean an organization is untrustworthy, but multiple flags warrant further investigation before donating.

What Mission Score Measures

The Mission Score (0-100) evaluates how effectively a nonprofit fulfills its stated purpose. It combines multiple factors: program spending efficiency (how much goes to programs vs. overhead), financial health and sustainability, governance quality, transparency in reporting, and consistency of operations over time. A score of 70+ indicates strong alignment with the organization’s mission.

Using This Data for Donation Decisions

Use this report as one input in your decision. Look at the overall Mission Score for a quick assessment, review red flags and strengths for specific concerns, check the spending breakdown to see where money goes, and compare executive compensation to the organization’s size. Consider viewing the full transparency report for deeper analysis, and always verify tax-exempt status with the IRS before making large donations.

Frequently Asked Questions about Center Theatre Inc

Is Center Theatre Inc a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Center Theatre Inc (EIN: 10520096) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 75/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.

Is Center Theatre Inc a good charity to donate to?

Center Theatre Inc has a Mission Score of 75/100. Revenue: $598K. Assets: $1.4M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Center Theatre Inc?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Center Theatre Inc is 10520096. This is the unique tax ID assigned by the IRS.

What is a Mission Score?

The Mission Score is a 0-100 rating that measures how effectively a nonprofit fulfills its stated mission. It factors in program spending efficiency, financial transparency, governance practices, and outcome reporting. Scores above 70 indicate strong mission alignment, 40-69 suggest mixed performance, and below 40 signals potential concerns.

How does Center Theatre Inc spend its money?

Center Theatre Inc allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Center Theatre Inc's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Center Theatre Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 10520096 on the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search (TEOS) at apps.irs.gov/app/eos. You can also request copies of their Form 990 directly from the organization, as they are required by law to provide them upon request.

AI Transparency Report

Center Theatre Inc demonstrates a generally stable financial position with consistent asset levels over the past decade, hovering around $1.4 million to $1.5 million. While the organization experienced a slight decline in assets from $1,573,984 in 2021 to $1,446,575 in 2023, this is not a drastic change. Revenue has shown some fluctuation, with a notable dip in 2020 to $297,035, likely due to the pandemic, but has since recovered to $432,895 in 2023. A key area for concern is the recent trend of expenses exceeding revenue, as seen in 2023 ($524,824 in expenses vs. $432,895 in revenue) and 2022 ($489,176 in expenses vs. $438,501 in revenue), indicating a deficit spending pattern that, if sustained, could impact long-term financial health.

The organization's transparency is bolstered by its consistent filing of IRS Form 990s, with 13 filings available. The reported 0% officer compensation across all available filings suggests a volunteer-led or very lean executive structure, which can be a positive indicator of resource allocation directly to mission. However, without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, it's challenging to fully assess spending efficiency. The NTEE code A80 (Performing Arts, Theaters) suggests a focus on cultural programming, and the consistent asset base indicates a well-established physical or operational infrastructure.

Overall, Center Theatre Inc appears to be a well-established organization with a solid asset base. The recent trend of operating deficits warrants closer monitoring, but the lack of executive compensation is a strong positive. Further transparency regarding the allocation of expenses would provide a more complete picture of its spending efficiency and program focus.

Verdict: Center Theatre Inc appears trustworthy

Red Flags

Strengths