Arts, Culture & Humanities (A65M) IRS Verified DX Registered 990 on File

OPTIMIST THEATRE INC

EIN: 39-1769252 · MILWAUKEE, WI 53212-3202 · United States · FY 2024 Data

3 out of 5 49 / 100 Based on 2+ years of filings

Financial strength (30%) 65/100

Reliability (20%) 55/100

Effectiveness (25%) 73/100

Impact (25%) No data yet

Financial data: FY 2024 · Scored 9/13/2026

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Mission Statement

We believe that the theatrical arts broaden and enrich those parts of our minds and spirits that are most essentially human. Optimist Theatre is driven to reach artists and audiences across the economic, ethnic, and experiential landscape. We educate, entertain, and inspire through creative works of artistic integrity.

Financial Overview — FY 2024

$129K

Total Revenue

$172K

Total Expenses

$19K

Net Assets

N/A

Employees

Revenue Sources

Expense Breakdown

Program Expense Ratio 80.9%

Fundraising Efficiency N/A

Operating Reserve 1.34x

Liability-to-Asset N/A

Revenue Diversification 97.8%

Compared with Peers

FY 2024

Compared with 12,711 similar organizations (United States, Arts, Culture & Humanities, $100K–$1M in expenses), FY 2024.

This organization Middle half of peers (P25–P75) Peer median

Ratio	This org	Peer median	Position (P10 → P90)
Program expense ratio Program expenses / total expenses · higher is better	80.9%	82.0%	P10P90	Below median
Operating reserve Months of expenses covered by net assets · higher is better	1.3 mo	9.8 mo	P10P90	Bottom quarter
Revenue concentration Share of revenue from the largest source · lower is better	97.8%	79.8%	P10P90	Bottom quarter
Revenue growth Year over year revenue growth	-14.0%	8.1%	P10P90
Expense growth Year over year expense growth	22.8%	8.8%	P10P90
Surplus margin Surplus as a share of revenue	-33.8%	1.5%	P10P90

Financial History

Year	Revenue	Expenses	Net Assets	Program %	Staff
2024	$129K	$172K	$19K	80.9%	—
2023	$150K	$140K	$63K	2.0%	—
2022	$147K	$157K	$53K	84.3%	—
2021	$308K	$144K	N/A	—	1
2020	$144K	$129K	N/A	—	1

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Organization Details

EIN: 39-1769252
State: WI
City: MILWAUKEE
ZIP: 53212-3202
Classification: A65M
Category: Arts, Culture & Humanities
Rating: 3★
Coverage: A
Last Updated: Aug 2026
IRS Ruling Year: 1993
Foundation Code: 16
Form 990: On File

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CharityAI™ rates charities from 0 to 100 using public filings (IRS Form 990 and the equivalent registries outside the US) together with the information the charity itself provides on DonationX. Ratings are recalculated every quarter, without human bias, and shown as stars.

Four pillars

Financial strength30%

Program expense ratio, fundraising efficiency, operating reserves, liabilities and revenue diversification, compared with similar organizations.

Reliability20%

Standing with the registry, filing history, verification and how complete the profile is.

Effectiveness25%

How much goes to programs and how consistently the organization delivers them.

Impact25%

The outcomes the charity reports on DonationX: people served, cost per service and results.

Stars

★★★★★ 80–100 ★★★★☆ 60–79 ★★★☆☆ 40–59 ★★☆☆☆ 20–39 ★☆☆☆☆ 1–19

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"Compared with peers" places the charity's key ratios against organizations of the same country, sector and size.

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