Warnors Center for the Performing Arts

What it reported doing in 2025

Warnors Center for the Performing Arts is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation, restoration, operation, and community activation of the historic Warnors Theatre and associated venues in Downtown Fresno, California. The organization stewards a historic 1928 theater listed on the National, State, and Local Historic Registries and continues ongoing restoration and preservation efforts for the approximately 90,000-square-foot facility, including maintenance of one of Californias few remaining original and operational Robert Morton theater pipe organs. During the fiscal year, the organization welcomed approximately 30,000 attendees through a wide range of arts, educational, cultural, and community programming serving Fresno and the greater Central Valley. Efforts throughout the year focused on expanding access to the arts and strengthening the theaters role as a community gathering space serving diverse audiences. Programming included hosting Danzantes Unidos, a multi-day Mexican Folklrico cultural event featuring dance classes, performances, and community celebrations with participants from across the region. The organization also continued its partnership with Chanticleer Shakespeare Co., Fresnos first and only professional Shakespeare repertory company, which utilized the venue for auditions, rehearsals, and performances, including a multi-week production of The Tempestfeaturing live musical collaboration with members of the Fresno Philharmonic. Warnors additionally served as a performance venue for Shine Theatre, a Black-led nonprofit theater organization presenting contemporary musical theater productions for Central Valley audiences. Educational and youth-centered programming included University High Schools annual Magic of the Arts showcase involving participation from more than 500 students, as well as regional youth dance events including including Curtain Call Dance Competition and Fly Dance Competition, which brought hundreds of young performers and families to the theater. The organization also hosted community milestone events, including student graduation ceremonies for local educational institutions such as UEI College, providing a historic gathering space for community celebrations and civic engagement. The organization continued its quarterly Historic Robert Morton Pipe Organ concert series, preserving and showcasing a rare historic instrument while providing arts access and cultural education opportunities for audiences of all ages. In addition to the main theater, the organization operates the Star Palace Ballroom and Franks Place community venues, which support school events, nonprofit programming, cultural gatherings, comedy performances, and other community activities. Together, these spaces further the organizations mission of promoting historic preservation, arts access, cultural enrichment, education, and community engagement throughout Downtown Fresno and the Central Valley.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 68.6%; rating input score 69
• Program expense ratio: 68.5%; rating input score 69
• Fundraising efficiency: Limited

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: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 91.7%; rating input score 92; 27th percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 2 of 8 controls in place; rating input score 25
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Fail
  • Whistleblower policy: Fail
  • Document-retention policy: Fail
  • CEO compensation review process: Fail
  • Other executive compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Missing
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Fail

Sustainability

• Operating margin: -0.1%; rating input score 30; 30th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 6.18; rating input score 87; 87th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.07; rating input score 39; 39th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 6.9%; rating input score 46; 46th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 6.1% per year; rating input score 100; 42nd percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 9.8% per year; rating input score 100; 60th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 0.1% per year; rating input score 100; 16th percentile among comparable filings