Theater Survey Indicates Improved Financial Health

Nearly 70 percent of nonprofit theaters that responded to a survey operated in the black last year, up from 62 percent in 1999, a new report says.

The report by the Theatre Communications Group, a New York organization that represents nonprofit theaters, is based on the group’s annual survey of finances, employment, and attendance at theaters around the country. A total of 262 theaters provided data for 2000. Of those organizations, 159 completed the full survey, while the rest provided only a basic summary of information. Three-year trends were based on data supplied by 83 theaters.

The total amount of money contributed to the 83 nonprofit theaters grew 36 percent from 1997 to 2000, after accounting for inflation. The rise was fueled in part by a 77 percent increase in giving among trustees of theater organizations. The average number of trustees making donations grew from 29 in 1997 to 52 in 2000. The trustees’ average gift was $5,374 last year. Among all donors, the average gift was $245, up from $175 in 1997.

Foundation and corporate contributions also rose from 1997 to 2000, growing by 42 percent and 27 percent, respectively. And while grants from the federal government dropped by 11 percent over the three-year period, income from state grants increased by 20 percent, and grants from cities and counties grew 140 percent.

Despite the growing support overall, however, many theaters may still not be on solid financial ground, according to the Theatre Communications Group. Nearly half of the 159 theaters, including most of the small theaters that participated in the survey — those with annual budgets of less than $250,000 — do not have endowments. That fact, a written statement from the organization says, “could weigh heavily if the U.S. economy continues to sour.”

“Theatre Facts 2000″ is expected to be posted soon on the group’s Web site at http://www.tcg.org. Printed copies of the report will be available for $5 each, plus $2 for shipping. Contact the Theatre Communications Group’s customer-service department by phone at (212) 697-5230, ext. 227, or by e-mail at custserv@tcg.org.

NONPROFIT THEATERS: A STATISTICAL PROFILE

SOURCES OF INCOME AS A PERCENTAGE OF EXPENSES