Imagination Stage Inc

What it reported doing in 2024

Imagination stage, inc. Is the Washington, dc, region's leading theatre organization dedicated exclusively to young people. Through professional theatre productions and comprehensive arts education programs, the organization serves children and youth of all ages and abilities - across economic, cognitive, and physical differences. Imagination stage advances creativity, confidence, and social connection by ensuring broad access to high-quality transformative performing arts experiences.professional theatre programimagination stage produces professional theatre specifically created for young audiences, employing professional actors, directors, and designers. Since its founding in a single classroom, the organization has grown into a nationally recognized theatre that commissions and premieres new works for children annually-an uncommon practice in the field. These original productions have received multiple awards and have been produced by theatres nationwide and internationally, extending their educational impact. In fy25, istage reached 59,000 children and families through professional live theatre productions at our bethesda theatre. In addition, imagination stage produces educational theatre focused on mental health for grades 3-12 across the united states through a multi-year contract with kaiser permanente, reaching students well beyond the Washington region.arts education programimagination stage offers year-round arts education in acting, musical theatre, dance, and filmmaking. Programs serve youth from early childhood through adolescence and are designed to be fully inclusive of students with disabilities. Instruction emphasizes artistic skill development alongside critical life skills, including collaboration, communication, and problem-solving. The organization is nationally recognized for its expertise in accessible arts education and for creating learning environments in which all students can participate meaningfully. The company served 5,152 students through our regular classes and camps in filmmaking, acting, musical theatre, dance, conservatory training, and early childhood arts and delivered creative drama workshops to 550 kindergartens through third grade title i students in mcps, supporting social-emotional and early literacy development.theatre for change programthe theatre for change program uses theatre productions and facilitated workshops to engage young people from diverse cultural, social, and economic backgrounds in dialogue around complex social issues. By centering youth voices and lived experiences, the program promotes empathy, cultural understanding, and civic awareness. Participants, which include at-risk and incarcerated youth - develop confidence, self-expression, and collaborative skills that enable them to contribute positively to their schools, families, and communities.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 65.6%; rating input score 66
• Program expense ratio: 78.5%; rating input score 78
• Fundraising efficiency: $5.99 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 22; 22nd percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: Limited
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: Limited
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Yes; rating input score 100

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 92.3%; rating input score 92; 23rd percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 8 of 8 controls in place; rating input score 100
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Other executive compensation review process: Pass
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 16.5%; rating input score 73; 73rd percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 1.04; rating input score 38; 38th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.18; rating input score 46; 46th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 1.9%; rating input score 77; 77th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 1.6% per year; rating input score 100; 20th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 1.9% per year; rating input score 100; 20th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: -5% per year; rating input score 0; 4th percentile among comparable filings