Only Make Believe Inc

Analysis

Only Make Believe Inc is a registered charity in United States, based in New York, NY. It received its IRS tax-exemption ruling in March 2001, 25 years ago. Its declared purposes cover arts, culture and humanities, which this site groups under arts, culture, heritage and science. The IRS classifies it as a publicly supported organisation (donations from the general public) under section 501(c)(3), and contributions to it are listed as tax-deductible.

In the financial year ending December 2023, Only Make Believe Inc reported income of $1.4m and spending of $1.7m, spending 118% of what it took in. Across the 5 years on record, from December 2019 to December 2023, income fell from $1.6m to $1.4m (-8.6%), an average of -2.2% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to December 2021, when income dropped by 39%. Over the whole period it spent 103% of the income it received.

Among 45,478 United States charities whose main cause is arts, culture, heritage and science and that reported income, Only Make Believe Inc sits at the 89th percentile: it is larger than about 89% of them. Against every charity in United States with reported income it ranks in the 83rd percentile, and in the 79th percentile within NY. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Forward Performing Arts Inc ($1.4m), Institute of Music for Children Inc ($1.4m) and White Columns Inc ($1.4m).

On its Form 990 for the period ending December 2023, revenue came from contributions and grants 53% of the total. Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees was $197k (12% of expenses). Other salaries and wages came to $781k. At year end it held assets of $2.5m against liabilities of $660k, net assets of $1.8m. It reported 40 employees.

Data notes from the register: Spending has exceeded income in each of the last three reported years, so the charity has been drawing on reserves or other funds.