Quick charity verification for Ohio Shakespeare Festival (EIN: 20611246)
Verdict: Ohio Shakespeare Festival appears trustworthy
75/100Mission Score
$412KRevenue
$142KAssets
3Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Recurring operating deficits in recent years (e.g., 2023, 2022, 2019, 2018, 2017)
Liabilities exceeding assets in the latest filing ($215,773 liabilities vs. $172,131 assets in 2023)
Significant decrease in assets from 2021 ($372,321) to 2023 ($172,131)
Strengths
Zero reported officer compensation across all filings, indicating efficient use of funds or volunteer leadership.
Long history of IRS 990 filings (14 filings), demonstrating consistent compliance and transparency.
Consistent delivery of mission-related programs despite financial challenges.
Periods of strong revenue growth (e.g., 2021 revenue of $368,400 compared to prior years).
Spending Breakdown
How Ohio Shakespeare Festival allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
80%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
12%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
8%
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 Ohio Shakespeare Festival
Is Ohio Shakespeare Festival a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Ohio Shakespeare Festival (EIN: 20611246) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 75/100. 3 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Ohio Shakespeare Festival a good charity to donate to?
Ohio Shakespeare Festival has a Mission Score of 75/100. Revenue: $412K. Assets: $142K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Ohio Shakespeare Festival?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Ohio Shakespeare Festival is 20611246. 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 Ohio Shakespeare Festival spend its money?
Ohio Shakespeare Festival allocates 80% to programs, 12% to administration, and 8% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Ohio Shakespeare Festival's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Ohio Shakespeare Festival's tax-exempt status using EIN 20611246 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
The Ohio Shakespeare Festival demonstrates a consistent commitment to its mission of performing arts, as evidenced by its program spending. However, the organization has faced financial challenges in recent years, with expenses exceeding revenue in several periods, notably in 2023 ($449,351 expenses vs. $326,036 revenue) and 2022 ($443,063 expenses vs. $315,227 revenue). This has led to a fluctuating asset base and an increase in liabilities, reaching $215,773 in 2023. While the organization has shown periods of growth and managed to increase its assets significantly in 2021, the recent trend of operating deficits warrants attention.
The organization's transparency is commendable, particularly with zero reported officer compensation across all available filings, suggesting that leadership is either volunteer-based or compensated through other means not categorized as officer compensation, which is a positive indicator for donor confidence. The NTEE code A65 (Theater) aligns well with its name and mission. The consistent filing of IRS 990s over 14 periods also reflects good compliance and transparency practices.
Despite the recent financial strain, the Ohio Shakespeare Festival has maintained its operations and continued to serve its community. The long history of filings and the absence of executive compensation are strong points. However, the recurring deficits and growing liabilities indicate a need for strategic financial planning to ensure long-term sustainability and to rebuild its asset base.