Lincoln Theatre Association
Lincoln Theatre Association maintains stable assets despite fluctuating revenues and recent operating deficits.
EIN: 205886656 · Columbus, OH · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $1.6M |
| Total Expenses | $1.5M |
| Program Spending | 70% |
| Net Assets | $10.8M |
| Transparency Score | 75/100 |
Is Lincoln Theatre Association Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Lincoln Theatre Association directs 70% of its spending to programs. This meets the industry benchmark of 65% for efficient nonprofits.
About Lincoln Theatre Association
Lincoln Theatre Association (EIN: 205886656) is a nonprofit organization based in Columbus, OH. The organization reported total revenue of $1.6M and total assets of $10.9M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Lincoln Theatre Association's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Lincoln Theatre Association is a mid-size nonprofit that has been operating for 19 years, with 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of -1.6%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $1.3M |
| Total Expenses | $1.5M |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-176,664 |
| Total Assets | $11.0M |
| Total Liabilities | $182K |
| Net Assets | $10.8M |
| Operating Margin | -13.2% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 1.7% |
| Months of Reserves | 86.7 months |
Financial Health Grade: B
In 2023, Lincoln Theatre Association reported a deficit of $177K with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 86.7 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 1.7% (very low leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 13 years of filings (2011–2023), Lincoln Theatre Association's revenue has declined at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -1.6%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | -10.1% | +7.6% | -1.4% |
| 2022 | +110.4% | +49.0% | +1.1% |
| 2021 | -8.6% | -19.2% | -1.1% |
| 2020 | -3.6% | -3.6% | -4.9% |
| 2019 | -50.8% | +12.2% | -4.8% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 2007 |
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 Lincoln Theatre Association with a Mission Score of 75 out of 100 (Good). This score reflects the organization's overall financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance indicators derived from IRS 990 public filings.
Spending Breakdown
- admin: 20%
- programs: 70%
- fundraising: 10%
According to IRS 990 filings, Lincoln Theatre Association allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 20%, programs: 70%, fundraising: 10%. Approximately 70% goes to programs, indicating moderate mission focus.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
- The organization reported a deficit of $177K, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 1.7%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
No officer compensation has been reported in any of the available IRS 990 filings, suggesting either a volunteer leadership or that compensation is categorized differently, which enhances transparency regarding direct executive pay.
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 Lincoln Theatre Association's IRS 990 filings:
- Operating deficits in multiple recent years (e.g., 2023, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2017, 2015, 2014) indicate reliance on reserves or other funding sources to cover annual expenses.
- Significant revenue volatility, with a peak of $2.97M in 2016 and lows around $700K in other years, could indicate an unpredictable funding model.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Lincoln Theatre Association:
- Strong and stable asset base, consistently over $10 million, providing financial security.
- Low liabilities in recent years (e.g., $181,619 in 2023) indicate good debt management.
- No reported officer compensation across all filings suggests a highly efficient or volunteer-led executive structure.
- Consistent IRS 990 filing history demonstrates commitment to transparency and compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions about Lincoln Theatre Association
Is Lincoln Theatre Association a legitimate charity?
Lincoln Theatre Association (EIN: 205886656) is a registered tax-exempt nonprofit based in Ohio. Our AI analysis gives it a Mission Score of 75/100. It has 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record. Total revenue: $1.6M. 2 red flags identified. 4 strengths noted. Financial health grade: B.
How does Lincoln Theatre Association spend its money?
Lincoln Theatre Association directs 70% of its spending to programs and services. Fundraising costs 10%. This meets the 65% industry benchmark.
Are donations to Lincoln Theatre Association tax-deductible?
Lincoln Theatre Association is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 205886656). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
What percentage of Lincoln Theatre Association's spending goes to programs?
Lincoln Theatre Association directs 70% to programs, 10% to fundraising. This meets the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
Where is Lincoln Theatre Association located?
Lincoln Theatre Association is headquartered in Columbus, Ohio and files with the IRS under EIN 205886656.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Lincoln Theatre Association have?
Lincoln Theatre Association has 13 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 $1.6M in total revenue.
How does Lincoln Theatre Association cover its operating deficits, such as the $176,664 deficit in 2023?
Operating deficits are likely covered by drawing from the organization's substantial asset base, which has consistently been over $10 million, or through accumulated reserves from prior profitable years.
What is the primary source of the organization's revenue fluctuations, such as the drop from $2,974,649 in 2016 to $772,062 in 2017?
Revenue fluctuations could be attributed to varying grant cycles, major fundraising campaigns in specific years, or the timing of large performance events and ticket sales, which can be highly variable for arts organizations.
Given the consistent assets, what is the organization's long-term financial strategy?
The consistent asset base suggests a strategy focused on maintaining a strong endowment or capital reserves, likely to ensure long-term sustainability and support for its mission, even during periods of lower operating revenue.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Lincoln Theatre Association showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:
Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Lincoln Theatre Association's revenue has declined by 17.3%, moving from $1.6M to $1.3M. Total assets decreased by 24.9% over the same period, from $14.6M to $11.0M. Total functional expenses rose by 41.1%, from $1.1M to $1.5M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Lincoln Theatre Association reported a deficit of $177K, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $182K in liabilities against $11.0M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 1.7%), resulting in net assets of $10.8M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $1.3M | $1.5M | $11.0M | $182K | — | View 990 |
| 2022 | $1.5M | $1.4M | $11.1M | $180K | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $709K | $946K | $11.0M | $66K | — | — |
| 2020 | $776K | $1.2M | $11.1M | $56K | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $805K | $1.2M | $11.7M | $214K | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $1.6M | $1.1M | $12.3M | $406K | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $772K | $1.1M | $11.6M | $302K | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $3.0M | $1.0M | $11.9M | $371K | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $676K | $1.0M | $12.0M | $2.4M | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $638K | $969K | $12.3M | $2.4M | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $506K | $889K | $12.9M | $2.7M | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $418K | $1.7M | $13.3M | $2.7M | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $1.6M | $1.1M | $14.6M | $2.7M | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $1.3M, expenses of $1.5M, and assets of $11.0M (revenue -10.1% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $1.5M, expenses of $1.4M, and assets of $11.1M (revenue +110.4% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $709K, expenses of $946K, and assets of $11.0M (revenue -8.6% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $776K, expenses of $1.2M, and assets of $11.1M (revenue -3.6% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $805K, expenses of $1.2M, and assets of $11.7M (revenue -50.8% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $1.6M, expenses of $1.1M, and assets of $12.3M (revenue +111.8% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $772K, expenses of $1.1M, and assets of $11.6M (revenue -74.0% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $3.0M, expenses of $1.0M, and assets of $11.9M (revenue +339.7% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $676K, expenses of $1.0M, and assets of $12.0M (revenue +6.0% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $638K, expenses of $969K, and assets of $12.3M (revenue +26.0% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $506K, expenses of $889K, and assets of $12.9M (revenue +21.1% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $418K, expenses of $1.7M, and assets of $13.3M (revenue -74.2% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $1.6M, expenses of $1.1M, and assets of $14.6M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Lincoln Theatre Association:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Lincoln Theatre Association 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.