Seattle Opera

Analysis

Seattle Opera is a registered charity in United States, based in Seattle, WA. It received its IRS tax-exemption ruling in April 1964, 62 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 (gross receipts test) under section 501(c)(3), and contributions to it are listed as tax-deductible.

In the financial year ending June 2023, Seattle Opera reported income of $23.2m and spending of $24.1m, spending 104% of its income. Across the 4 years on record, from June 2020 to June 2023, income fell from $28.7m to $23.2m (-19%), an average of -6.8% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to June 2021, when income dropped by 35%. Over the whole period it spent 79% of the income it received.

Among 45,478 United States charities whose main cause is arts, culture, heritage and science and that reported income, Seattle Opera sits at the 99th percentile: it is one of the largest 1% in its cause. Against every charity in United States with reported income it ranks in the 97th percentile, and in the 98th percentile within WA. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Indiana Symphony Society Inc ($23.1m), Woodwell Climate Research Center ($23.2m) and Cox Science Center and Aquarium Inc ($23.1m).

On its Form 990 for the period ending June 2023, revenue came from contributions and grants 74% and program service revenue 25% of the total. Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees was $907k (3.8% of expenses). Other salaries and wages came to $9.5m. It paid $29k in professional fundraising fees. At year end it held assets of $80.6m against liabilities of $12.9m, net assets of $67.6m. It reported 529 employees.