Quick charity verification for Second Stage Theatre (EIN: 133021180)
Verdict: Second Stage Theatre appears trustworthy
80/100Mission Score
$29.5MRevenue
$57.6MAssets
2Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent 0% officer compensation reported, which is highly unusual for an organization of this scale and warrants further scrutiny.
Expenses exceeded revenue in the most recent filing (2023), indicating a potential operational deficit for that period.
Strengths
Strong and growing asset base, increasing from $7.9 million in 2014 to $57.6 million currently, indicating financial stability.
Extensive filing history (13 years) demonstrates commitment to transparency and public accountability.
Significant revenue recovery post-pandemic, with 2023 revenue at $26.2 million, showing resilience and strong donor/audience support.
Liabilities are consistently well-covered by assets, indicating good solvency and financial health.
Spending Breakdown
How Second Stage Theatre allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
75%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
15%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
10%
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 Second Stage Theatre
Is Second Stage Theatre a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Second Stage Theatre (EIN: 133021180) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 80/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Second Stage Theatre a good charity to donate to?
Second Stage Theatre has a Mission Score of 80/100. Revenue: $29.5M. Assets: $57.6M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Second Stage Theatre?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Second Stage Theatre is 133021180. 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 Second Stage Theatre spend its money?
Second Stage Theatre allocates 75% to programs, 15% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Second Stage Theatre's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Second Stage Theatre's tax-exempt status using EIN 133021180 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
Second Stage Theatre demonstrates a generally stable financial position, with assets consistently exceeding liabilities, indicating good solvency. The organization experienced significant revenue fluctuations over the past decade, notably a peak of $44,686,084 in 2018 followed by a dip during the pandemic years, and a strong recovery to $26,248,193 in 2023. While expenses have also varied, the organization has largely managed its spending effectively, with a few years showing expenses slightly exceeding revenue, such as in 2023 where expenses were $28,981,303 against $26,248,193 in revenue. This suggests a need for careful monitoring of expenditure relative to income in certain periods.
Regarding spending efficiency, without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses from the provided data, a precise assessment is challenging. However, the consistent operational activity and asset growth suggest a functional allocation of resources. The organization's transparency appears strong given the availability of 13 years of IRS 990 filings, which is a positive indicator for public accountability. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings is a notable point, suggesting that executive compensation is either not reported in this category or is handled differently, which warrants further investigation for a complete transparency picture.