Opera Philadelphia

Analysis

Opera Philadelphia is a registered charity in United States, based in Philadelphia, PA. It received its IRS tax-exemption ruling in December 1960, 66 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 May 2023, Opera Philadelphia reported income of $9.5m and spending of $11.9m, spending 125% of what it took in. Across the 5 years on record, from May 2019 to May 2023, income fell from $14.8m to $9.5m (-36%), an average of -10% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to May 2022, when income rose by 56%. Over the whole period it spent 99% of the income it received.

Among 45,478 United States charities whose main cause is arts, culture, heritage and science and that reported income, Opera Philadelphia sits at the 98th percentile: it is larger than about 98% of them. Against every charity in United States with reported income it ranks in the 95th percentile, and in the 94th percentile within PA. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Stepping Stones Museum for Children Inc ($9.5m), Napa Valley Festival Association ($9.5m) and Cape Ann Museum Inc ($9.5m).

On its Form 990 for the period ending May 2023, revenue came from contributions and grants 85% and program service revenue 16% of the total. Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees was $317k (2.7% of expenses). Other salaries and wages came to $4.5m. At year end it held assets of $9.3m against liabilities of $3.6m, net assets of $5.7m. It reported 376 employees.