Quick charity verification for Music Theatre West (EIN: 208426833)
Verdict: Music Theatre West appears trustworthy
88/100Mission Score
$266KRevenue
$277KAssets
1Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Expenses exceeded revenue in the latest filing (202403), resulting in a net deficit for that period.
Strengths
Consistent 0% officer compensation, indicating volunteer leadership and high efficiency.
Zero liabilities reported in most recent filings, demonstrating strong financial health and management.
Significant growth in assets over the past decade, from $2,447 in 2014 to $276,848 currently.
Detailed and consistent IRS 990 filing history, indicating strong transparency.
Spending Breakdown
How Music Theatre West allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
90%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
7%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
3%
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 Music Theatre West
Is Music Theatre West a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Music Theatre West (EIN: 208426833) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 88/100. 1 red flag identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Music Theatre West a good charity to donate to?
Music Theatre West has a Mission Score of 88/100. Revenue: $266K. Assets: $277K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Music Theatre West?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Music Theatre West is 208426833. 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 Music Theatre West spend its money?
Music Theatre West allocates 90% to programs, 7% to administration, and 3% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Music Theatre West's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Music Theatre West's tax-exempt status using EIN 208426833 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
Music Theatre West demonstrates a fluctuating but generally stable financial position over the past decade, with recent revenue peaking at $431,590 in 2022 and current assets at $276,848. The organization consistently reports zero liabilities and zero officer compensation, indicating strong financial management and a volunteer-driven leadership model. While the latest filing (202403) shows expenses ($285,699) exceeding revenue ($227,032), leading to a net deficit for that period, the overall trend shows periods of surplus, such as in 202303 where revenue ($259,106) significantly outpaced expenses ($191,688). This suggests a capacity to manage financial fluctuations.
The organization's spending efficiency appears to be robust, particularly given the absence of executive compensation, which frees up resources for programmatic activities. The consistent reporting of zero liabilities across most recent filings further underscores a conservative and responsible approach to financial obligations. The detailed filing history, including consistent reporting of revenue, expenses, and assets, indicates a commitment to transparency.
Overall, Music Theatre West appears to be a financially sound organization, characterized by prudent management, a volunteer-led structure, and a clear financial reporting history. While the latest period shows a deficit, the long-term trend and lack of liabilities suggest resilience and a focus on mission delivery.