First Floor Theater is a 501(c)(3) organization based in Chicago, Illinois, registered in 2014, with $171,064 in FY2024 revenue. CharityIndex grades it C.
Revenue (FY2024)
$171K
▲ 22.3% vs prior year
Arts & Culture median: $159K
Expenses (FY2024)
$204K
Net assets
$5,726
Employees
—
Measures how much of every dollar spent actually reaches programs, plus what it costs to raise $100 of donations. The worse of the two measures sets the letter (85%+ to programs is an A; under $15 to raise $100 is an A), averaged over the three most recent filings. Not scored for First Floor Theater— this filing type doesn't report it, and the rating simply skips it (never counts it against the organization). See the exact thresholds →
Measures whether the organization is built to last: how many months its reserves would cover expenses (3+ months earns an A-range score, but hoarding 5+ years of budget is capped) and whether it runs a surplus or a deficit. For First Floor Theater: 0 mo reserves · -19% margin earns a C on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
Checks how the organization is run, from its own Form 990: an independent board majority, a board of five or more, conflict-of-interest, whistleblower and document-retention policies, and independently audited financials. The share of disclosed checks that pass sets the letter. Not scored for First Floor Theater— this filing type doesn't report it, and the rating simply skips it (never counts it against the organization). See the exact thresholds →
Counts five disclosure signals: a recent filing, a mission statement, program descriptions, a listed website, and the full expense breakdown. More disclosure, better letter. For First Floor Theater: 2 of 5 disclosure signals earns a C on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
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Revenue grew from $25K (FY2013) to $171K (FY2024) across 8 reported years.
Financial snapshot
Operating margin
-19.5%
Spent more than it raised in the latest fiscal year.
Total assets
$21K
Total liabilities
$15K
Net assets
$5,726
| Fiscal year | Revenue | Expenses | Net assets | Total assets | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $171,064▲22.3% | $204,407▲119% | $5,726▼85.3% | $21,157▼54.6% | 990EZ |
| 2023 | $139,836▲60.5% | $93,191▼25.2% | $39,069▲616% | $46,559▲664% | 990EZ |
| 2022 | $87,117▲9.3% | $124,661▲45.4% | -$7,576▼125% | $6,091▼79.8% | 990EZ |
| 2021 | $79,732▲264% | $85,733▲272% | $29,968▼16.7% | $30,224▼16.0% | 990EZ |
| 2020 | $21,901▼79.6% | $23,057▼65.6% | $35,969▼3.1% | $36,000▼23.9% | 990EZ |
| 2019 | $107,114▲45.0% | $67,087▼3.5% | $37,125▲1379% | $47,330▲294% | 990EZ |
| 2018 | $73,855▲201% | $69,508▲182% | -$2,902▼255% | $12,000▲370% | 990EZ |
| 2013 | $24,511 | $24,676 | $1,874 | $2,555 | 990EZ |
Original Form 990 PDFs (the Form column) are served by ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, as filed with the IRS. Create a free account to download the CSV report.
10 grants to First Floor Theater totaling $129K, reported by foundations on their Schedule I filings.
| Grantmaker | Purpose | Year | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Chicago Community Trust | General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes | 2023 | $23,250 |
| Ncrc Community Development Fund Inc | Illinois coronavirus fiscal recovery funds | 2023 | $10,000 |
| The Chicago Community Trust | Season support (no tickets or tangible benefits), support for blueprint commission for playwright nj draine, support for the blueprint commission, season support for 2022-2023 | 2022 | $16,675 |
| The Chicago Community Trust | Production support for botticelli in the fire. support for blueprint commission and season support (no tickets or tangible benefits) | 2021 | $16,150 |
| The Chicago Community Trust | Production support for botticelli in the fire. support for blueprint commission and season support (no tickets or tangible benefits) | 2021 | $16,150 |
| The Chicago Community Trust | To support blueprint commission for development of new plays, and first workshop | 2020 | $11,000 |
| Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund | For grant recipient's exempt purposes | 2019 | $10,330 |
| Donor Advised Charitable Giving | Arts, culture & humanities | 2019 | $9,150 |
| The Chicago Community Trust | General operating support, play commissioning program, to support the production of "sugar in our wounds" | 2019 | $6,350 |
| The Chicago Community Trust | See attached. | 2016 | $10,000 |
Explore more
Data for First Floor Theater (EIN 46-0527756) comes from the IRS Business Master File and e-filed Form 990 returns, via CharityIndex. Figures reflect what the organization reported to the IRS for each fiscal year.