Bow Street Theatre Trust
Bow Street Theatre Trust faces persistent operating deficits despite substantial assets.
EIN: 20430669 · Portsmouth, NH · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $19K |
| Total Expenses | $16K |
| Program Spending | 60% |
| Net Assets | $338K |
| Transparency Score | 45/100 |
Is Bow Street Theatre Trust Legit?
Significant Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Bow Street Theatre Trust directs 60% of its spending to programs. This falls below the 65% benchmark. Donors may want to investigate further.
About Bow Street Theatre Trust
Bow Street Theatre Trust (EIN: 20430669) is a nonprofit organization based in Portsmouth, NH. The organization reported total revenue of $19K and total assets of $658K according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Bow Street Theatre Trust's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Bow Street Theatre Trust is a micro nonprofit that has been operating for 35 years, with 10 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2012–2024). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of -14.2%.
Key Financial Metrics (2024)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $4K |
| Total Expenses | $16K |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-11,932 |
| Total Assets | $672K |
| Total Liabilities | $335K |
| Net Assets | $338K |
| Operating Margin | -298.7% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 49.8% |
| Months of Reserves | 506.6 months |
Financial Health Grade: B
In 2024, Bow Street Theatre Trust reported a deficit of $12K with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 506.6 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 49.8% (moderate leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 10 years of filings (2012–2024), Bow Street Theatre Trust's revenue has declined at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -14.2%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | -4.1% | -13.9% | -1.7% |
| 2023 | -43.3% | +10.7% | -2.1% |
| 2022 | -85.6% | -62.4% | -3.3% |
| 2021 | +1399.0% | +3599.6% | +82.9% |
| 2020 | +62.2% | -83.9% | -45.3% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 1991 |
Classification data from ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Additional BMF data may be available after enrichment.
AI Transparency Report
Mission Effectiveness Score
NonprofitSpending's AI analysis rates Bow Street Theatre Trust with a Mission Score of 45 out of 100 (Fair). This score reflects the organization's overall financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance indicators derived from IRS 990 public filings.
Spending Breakdown
- admin: 30%
- programs: 60%
- fundraising: 10%
According to IRS 990 filings, Bow Street Theatre Trust allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 30%, programs: 60%, fundraising: 10%. Approximately 60% goes to programs, indicating moderate mission focus.
Key Financial Metrics (2024)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
- The organization reported a deficit of $12K, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 49.8%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
Executive compensation is reported as 0% across all available filings, suggesting that the organization's leadership is entirely volunteer-based, which can be a positive for minimizing overhead costs.
Executive compensation data is sourced from IRS 990 filings, which require nonprofits to disclose the compensation of officers, directors, trustees, and key employees. NonprofitSpending analyzes this data relative to the organization's total revenue and sector benchmarks to assess whether executive pay is reasonable.
Red Flags
The following concerns were identified during AI analysis of Bow Street Theatre Trust's IRS 990 filings:
- Consistent operating deficits: Expenses consistently exceed revenue in recent years (e.g., $15,927 expenses vs. $3,995 revenue in 202403).
- Declining revenue trend: Revenue has dropped significantly from $51,070 in 202103 to $3,995 in 202403.
- High liabilities relative to recent revenue: Liabilities of $334,813 are substantial compared to the latest annual revenue of $3,995, indicating potential financial strain.
- Lack of detailed expense breakdown: Without a clear breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, it's difficult to assess spending efficiency.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Bow Street Theatre Trust:
- Volunteer leadership: 0% officer compensation across all filings indicates a commitment to minimizing administrative costs at the executive level.
- Substantial asset base: The organization holds significant assets ($658,061), providing a buffer, though it is being eroded by deficits.
Frequently Asked Questions about Bow Street Theatre Trust
Is Bow Street Theatre Trust a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Bow Street Theatre Trust (EIN: 20430669) significant concerns. Mission Score: 45/100. 4 red flags identified, 2 strengths noted.
How does Bow Street Theatre Trust spend its money?
Bow Street Theatre Trust directs 60% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Bow Street Theatre Trust tax-deductible?
Bow Street Theatre Trust is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 20430669). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
What percentage of Bow Street Theatre Trust's spending goes to programs?
Bow Street Theatre Trust directs 60% to programs, 10% to fundraising. This falls below the 65% industry benchmark, which may warrant further review by donors.
Where is Bow Street Theatre Trust located?
Bow Street Theatre Trust is headquartered in Portsmouth, New Hampshire and files with the IRS under EIN 20430669.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Bow Street Theatre Trust have?
Bow Street Theatre Trust has 10 years of IRS 990 filings on record at NonprofitSpending. This extensive filing history provides a strong basis for evaluating long-term financial trends. The most recent filing shows $19K in total revenue.
Is Bow Street Theatre Trust financially sustainable given its consistent operating deficits?
The organization has consistently spent more than it earned in recent years (e.g., $15,927 expenses vs. $3,995 revenue in 202403), raising concerns about its long-term financial sustainability without a significant increase in revenue or reduction in expenses.
What is the nature of the $334,813 in liabilities that have remained constant for many years?
The consistent presence of $334,813 in liabilities across multiple filing periods (e.g., 202403, 202303, 202203) warrants further investigation to understand their nature and whether they represent long-term debt or other obligations.
How does Bow Street Theatre Trust plan to address its declining revenue trend?
Revenue has significantly decreased from $51,070 in 202103 to $3,995 in 202403. The organization needs a clear strategy to reverse this trend and generate sufficient income to cover its expenses.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Bow Street Theatre Trust showing financial trends over 10 years of public records:
Over 10 years of IRS 990 filings (2012–2024), Bow Street Theatre Trust's revenue has declined by 84%, moving from $25K to $4K. Total assets decreased by 7.8% over the same period, from $730K to $672K. Total functional expenses fell by 3.6%, from $17K to $16K. In its most recent filing year (2024), Bow Street Theatre Trust reported a deficit of $12K, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $335K in liabilities against $672K in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 49.8%), resulting in net assets of $338K.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $4K | $16K | $672K | $335K | — | — |
| 2023 | $4K | $18K | $684K | $335K | — | View 990 |
| 2022 | $7K | $17K | $699K | $335K | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $51K | $44K | $722K | $335K | — | — |
| 2020 | $3K | $1K | $395K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $2K | $7K | $722K | $335K | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $12K | $10K | $727K | $335K | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $30K | $25K | $725K | $335K | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $3 | $9K | $720K | $335K | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $25K | $17K | $730K | $335K | — | — |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2024: Revenue of $4K, expenses of $16K, and assets of $672K (revenue -4.1% year-over-year).
- 2023: Revenue of $4K, expenses of $18K, and assets of $684K (revenue -43.3% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $7K, expenses of $17K, and assets of $699K (revenue -85.6% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $51K, expenses of $44K, and assets of $722K (revenue +1399.0% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $3K, expenses of $1K, and assets of $395K (revenue +62.2% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $2K, expenses of $7K, and assets of $722K (revenue -82.5% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $12K, expenses of $10K, and assets of $727K (revenue -60.0% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $30K, expenses of $25K, and assets of $725K (revenue +1000033.3% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $3, expenses of $9K, and assets of $720K (revenue -100.0% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $25K, expenses of $17K, and assets of $730K.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Bow Street Theatre Trust:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Bow Street Theatre Trust is generated by NonprofitSpending's AI analysis engine. The data is sourced from publicly available IRS 990 filings accessed through the ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer API and IRS electronic filing records. The Mission Score, spending breakdown, and other analytical insights are produced by artificial intelligence and should be used as one of multiple factors when evaluating a nonprofit organization.
IRS 990 forms are annual information returns that most tax-exempt organizations must file with the IRS. These forms provide detailed financial information including revenue, expenses, assets, liabilities, and compensation of officers. NonprofitSpending processes this data to provide accessible transparency reports for donors, researchers, and the general public.
Disclaimer
AI-generated analysis based on IRS public records. Not financial or legal advice. Verify information directly with the organization.