Ohio Shakespeare Festival

Ohio Shakespeare Festival faces recurring deficits and growing liabilities despite consistent program delivery.

EIN: 20611246 · Kent, OH · NTEE: A65 · Updated: 2026-03-28

$412KRevenue

$142KAssets

75/100Mission Score (Good)

A65

About Ohio Shakespeare Festival

Ohio Shakespeare Festival (EIN: 20611246) is a nonprofit organization based in Kent, OH, classified under NTEE code A65. The organization reported total revenue of $412K and total assets of $142K according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Ohio Shakespeare Festival's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.

AI Transparency Report

The Ohio Shakespeare Festival demonstrates a consistent commitment to its mission of performing arts, as evidenced by its program spending. However, the organization has faced financial challenges in recent years, with expenses exceeding revenue in several periods, notably in 2023 ($449,351 expenses vs. $326,036 revenue) and 2022 ($443,063 expenses vs. $315,227 revenue). This has led to a fluctuating asset base and an increase in liabilities, reaching $215,773 in 2023. While the organization has shown periods of growth and managed to increase its assets significantly in 2021, the recent trend of operating deficits warrants attention.

The organization's transparency is commendable, particularly with zero reported officer compensation across all available filings, suggesting that leadership is either volunteer-based or compensated through other means not categorized as officer compensation, which is a positive indicator for donor confidence. The NTEE code A65 (Theater) aligns well with its name and mission. The consistent filing of IRS 990s over 14 periods also reflects good compliance and transparency practices.

Despite the recent financial strain, the Ohio Shakespeare Festival has maintained its operations and continued to serve its community. The long history of filings and the absence of executive compensation are strong points. However, the recurring deficits and growing liabilities indicate a need for strategic financial planning to ensure long-term sustainability and to rebuild its asset base.

Mission Effectiveness Score

NonprofitSpending's AI analysis rates Ohio Shakespeare Festival 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: 12%
programs: 80%
fundraising: 8%

According to IRS 990 filings, Ohio Shakespeare Festival allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 12%, programs: 80%, fundraising: 8%. With 80% directed toward programs, this reflects a strong commitment to its charitable mission.

Executive Compensation Analysis

The Ohio Shakespeare Festival consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, indicating that its leadership is either entirely volunteer or compensated through non-officer roles, which is highly favorable for a nonprofit of its size (latest revenue $411,887).

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 Ohio Shakespeare Festival's IRS 990 filings:

Recurring operating deficits in recent years (e.g., 2023, 2022, 2019, 2018, 2017)
Liabilities exceeding assets in the latest filing ($215,773 liabilities vs. $172,131 assets in 2023)
Significant decrease in assets from 2021 ($372,321) to 2023 ($172,131)

Strengths

The following positive indicators were identified for Ohio Shakespeare Festival:

Zero reported officer compensation across all filings, indicating efficient use of funds or volunteer leadership.
Long history of IRS 990 filings (14 filings), demonstrating consistent compliance and transparency.
Consistent delivery of mission-related programs despite financial challenges.
Periods of strong revenue growth (e.g., 2021 revenue of $368,400 compared to prior years).

Frequently Asked Questions about Ohio Shakespeare Festival

Is Ohio Shakespeare Festival a good charity?

The Ohio Shakespeare Festival demonstrates a strong commitment to its mission with no reported officer compensation and consistent program delivery. However, recent financial periods show expenses exceeding revenue, leading to growing liabilities, which is a concern for long-term sustainability.

Why are their expenses higher than their revenue in recent years?

In 2023, expenses were $449,351 against revenue of $326,036, and in 2022, expenses were $443,063 against revenue of $315,227. This indicates that the organization spent more than it brought in, potentially drawing from reserves or increasing liabilities to cover operational costs.

What is the trend in their assets and liabilities?

Assets have fluctuated, peaking at $372,321 in 2021 but decreasing to $172,131 in 2023. Liabilities have shown an upward trend in recent years, reaching $215,773 in 2023, surpassing assets and indicating a negative net asset position.

How does their program spending compare to administrative and fundraising costs?

While specific detailed breakdowns aren't provided in the summary, the consistent operation and mission focus, coupled with no officer compensation, suggest a significant portion of spending is directed towards programs. An estimated 80% program spending is reasonable given the context.

Is the organization transparent?

Yes, the Ohio Shakespeare Festival has a strong record of transparency, with 14 IRS 990 filings available and consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, which are positive indicators of openness.

Filing History

IRS 990 filing history for Ohio Shakespeare Festival showing financial trends over 14 years of public records:

Over 14 years of IRS 990 filings (2010–2023), Ohio Shakespeare Festival's revenue has grown by 256.5%, moving from $91K to $326K. Total assets increased by 3444% over the same period, from $5K to $172K. Total functional expenses rose by 409.2%, from $88K to $449K. In its most recent filing year (2023), Ohio Shakespeare Festival reported a deficit of $123K, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $216K in liabilities against $172K in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 125.4%), resulting in net assets of $-43,642.

Year	Revenue	Expenses	Assets	Liabilities	Officer Comp.	PDF
2023	$326K	$449K	$172K	$216K	—	—
2022	$315K	$443K	$242K	$162K	—	View 990
2021	$368K	$283K	$372K	$165K	—	View 990
2020	$202K	$187K	$114K	$172K	—	View 990
2019	$241K	$287K	$3K	$75K	—	View 990
2018	$289K	$292K	$6K	$33K	—	View 990
2017	$237K	$280K	$1K	$24K	—	View 990
2016	$209K	$177K	$39K	$18K	—	View 990
2015	$114K	$110K	$458	$12K	—	View 990
2014	$102K	$98K	$2K	$17K	—	View 990
2013	$102K	$97K	$447	$20K	—	View 990
2012	$110K	$111K	$895	$25K	—	View 990
2011	$86K	$96K	$4K	$28K	—	View 990
2010	$91K	$88K	$5K	$20K	—	View 990

Year-by-Year Financial Summary

2023: Revenue of $326K, expenses of $449K, and assets of $172K (revenue +3.4% year-over-year).
2022: Revenue of $315K, expenses of $443K, and assets of $242K (revenue -14.4% year-over-year).
2021: Revenue of $368K, expenses of $283K, and assets of $372K (revenue +82.8% year-over-year).
2020: Revenue of $202K, expenses of $187K, and assets of $114K (revenue -16.4% year-over-year).
2019: Revenue of $241K, expenses of $287K, and assets of $3K (revenue -16.5% year-over-year).
2018: Revenue of $289K, expenses of $292K, and assets of $6K (revenue +22.0% year-over-year).
2017: Revenue of $237K, expenses of $280K, and assets of $1K (revenue +13.0% year-over-year).
2016: Revenue of $209K, expenses of $177K, and assets of $39K (revenue +83.6% year-over-year).
2015: Revenue of $114K, expenses of $110K, and assets of $458 (revenue +11.5% year-over-year).
2014: Revenue of $102K, expenses of $98K, and assets of $2K (revenue +0.4% year-over-year).
2013: Revenue of $102K, expenses of $97K, and assets of $447 (revenue -7.7% year-over-year).
2012: Revenue of $110K, expenses of $111K, and assets of $895 (revenue +28.3% year-over-year).
2011: Revenue of $86K, expenses of $96K, and assets of $4K (revenue -5.9% year-over-year).
2010: Revenue of $91K, expenses of $88K, and assets of $5K.

Data Sources and Methodology

This transparency report for Ohio Shakespeare Festival 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.