Is Signature Theatre Company Legit?

Quick charity verification for Signature Theatre Company (EIN: 133641560)

Verdict: Signature Theatre Company shows mixed signals

65/100Mission Score

$9.0MRevenue

$51.3MAssets

3Red Flags

3Strengths

Red Flags

Consistent operational deficits, with expenses significantly exceeding revenue in most years (e.g., 2023 expenses $13M vs. revenue $6.3M).
Significant decline in total assets over the past decade, from $104.7M in 2014 to $51.2M in 2023, indicating reliance on reserves.
Lack of detailed expense breakdown (program, admin, fundraising) in the provided data, hindering a full assessment of spending efficiency.

Strengths

Consistently reports 0% officer compensation, indicating no direct compensation to officers, directors, trustees, or key employees.
Maintains a substantial asset base ($51.2M in 2023) despite consistent deficits, providing a buffer for operations.
Long filing history (13 filings) demonstrates consistent reporting to the IRS.

Spending Breakdown

How Signature Theatre Company 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 Signature Theatre Company

Is Signature Theatre Company a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Signature Theatre Company (EIN: 133641560) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 65/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.

Is Signature Theatre Company a good charity to donate to?

Signature Theatre Company has a Mission Score of 65/100. Revenue: $9.0M. Assets: $51.3M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Signature Theatre Company?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Signature Theatre Company is 133641560. 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 Signature Theatre Company spend its money?

Signature Theatre Company allocates 75% to programs, 15% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Signature Theatre Company's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Signature Theatre Company's tax-exempt status using EIN 133641560 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

Signature Theatre Company has experienced significant financial fluctuations over the past decade, consistently operating with expenses exceeding revenue in most reported periods. For instance, in fiscal year 2023, expenses were $13,033,083 against revenues of $6,329,279, indicating a substantial deficit. This trend of spending more than it earns is a long-standing pattern, with deficits observed in nearly all filings since 2014. While the organization maintains substantial assets, reported at $51,265,664 in the latest filing, these assets have been steadily declining from a peak of $104,725,717 in 2014, suggesting reliance on reserves to cover operational shortfalls.

The organization's transparency regarding executive compensation is notable, with 'Officer Comp' consistently reported as 0% across all available filings. This indicates that no compensation was paid to officers, directors, trustees, or key employees, which is an unusual but positive sign for donor confidence regarding executive pay. However, the consistent operational deficits raise questions about long-term financial sustainability and the source of funding for these shortfalls. Further details on program spending versus administrative and fundraising costs would provide a clearer picture of spending efficiency, which is not explicitly detailed in the provided data.

Overall, while the lack of officer compensation is a strong point for transparency, the persistent operational deficits and declining asset base warrant closer scrutiny. Donors should be aware of the organization's reliance on its asset base to cover expenses, and the long-term viability of this model. The organization's NTEE code A650 (Performing Arts, Theatrical) suggests a focus on program delivery, but without a detailed breakdown of expenses, it's challenging to fully assess spending efficiency.

View Full Transparency Report →

Disclaimer

AI-generated analysis based on IRS public records. Not financial or legal advice. Verify information directly with the organization.