Is Rialto Theatre Foundation Legit? —…

Strengths

Strong post-pandemic financial recovery with significant revenue growth from $1.4M in 2021 to $8.8M in 2024.
Consistent asset growth, increasing from $2.1M in 2020 to $6.9M in 2024, indicating enhanced financial stability.
Positive trend of expenses generally tracking below revenue in recent years, contributing to net asset accumulation.
Healthy asset-to-liability ratio, with assets significantly exceeding liabilities ($6.9M assets vs. $2.1M liabilities in 2024).
Long history of IRS 990 filings (14 filings), demonstrating consistent financial reporting and transparency.

Spending Breakdown

How Rialto Theatre Foundation allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

85%

Program Spending

Healthy — majority goes to mission

10%

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 Rialto Theatre Foundation

Is Rialto Theatre Foundation a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Rialto Theatre Foundation (EIN: 161699701) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 1 red flag identified, 5 strengths noted.

Is Rialto Theatre Foundation a good charity to donate to?

Rialto Theatre Foundation has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $9.4M. Assets: $6.9M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Rialto Theatre Foundation?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Rialto Theatre Foundation is 161699701. 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 Rialto Theatre Foundation spend its money?

Rialto Theatre Foundation allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Rialto Theatre Foundation's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Rialto Theatre Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 161699701 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 Rialto Theatre Foundation demonstrates a generally healthy financial trajectory, particularly in its post-pandemic recovery. Revenue has shown significant growth, from a low of $1,405,329 in 2021 to $8,836,466 in 2024, indicating strong operational rebound and community engagement. The organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation, which is a notable strength in terms of executive compensation transparency and resource allocation directly to its mission. While specific program, administrative, and fundraising expense breakdowns are not provided in the summary data, the overall expense management appears sound, with expenses generally tracking below revenue in recent years, contributing to asset growth from $2,173,293 in 2020 to $6,901,442 in 2024.

The foundation's assets have steadily increased, outpacing liabilities in recent periods, which suggests growing financial stability and capacity. For instance, in 2024, assets stood at $6,901,442 against liabilities of $2,115,008. This positive asset-to-liability ratio indicates a strong balance sheet. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings is a significant positive indicator of the organization's commitment to directing funds towards its mission rather than executive salaries, enhancing its perceived spending efficiency and transparency.

However, without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, a precise assessment of spending efficiency is challenging. The NTEE code A65 (Performing Arts Centers) suggests a mission focused on cultural enrichment, and the revenue growth implies successful operations in this area. The consistent financial reporting over 14 filings demonstrates a commitment to transparency, even if granular spending details are not immediately available in this summary.

Is Rialto Theatre Foundation Legit?

Verdict: Rialto Theatre Foundation appears trustworthy

Red Flags