THE FLEA THEATER INC

EIN: 133904262 501(c)(3) Arts, Culture & Humanities

NEW YORK, NY

Total Revenue
$920,911
Total Expenses
$2,271,848
Total Assets
$18,939,048
Net Assets
$18,280,488
🔒

Financial Vulnerability Assessment (Tuckman-Chang)

4 risk indicators measuring financial stability and operational resilience

Sign in with your work email to view Tuckman-Chang indicators

Sign In — Free (10 views/day)

Financial Trends

Organization Details

Formation Year
1996
Legal Domicile
NY
Principal Officer
NIEGEL SMITH
Phone
2122260051
Tax Period
2024-01-01 to 2024-12-31

THE FLEA THEATER INC, founded in 1996, is a small nonprofit in the Arts, Culture & Humanities sector that reported $921K in total revenue in fiscal year 2024. Revenue fell 30% from the prior year — a significant decline worth monitoring. Expenses of $2.3M exceeded revenue, resulting in a 147% operating deficit.

Mission

WE WORK TO CREATE A CULTURE WHERE BLACK, BROWN AND QUEER ARTISTS AND THEIR AUDIENCES CAN COMMUNE, CREATE ART ON THEIR OWN TERMS AND LIVE IN THEIR FULL EXPRESSION AND CULTURAL TRUTHS. WE WILL SUPPORT WORK THAT IS NOT STRICTLY DEFINED BY TRADITIONAL DESIGNATIONS LIKE "OFF-OFF-BROADWAY OR "THEATER". WHILE WE ARE A NYC BASED COMPANY, WE ENCOURAGE ARTISTS TO BE UNBOUND BY GEOGRAPHY OR PHYSICAL BUILDINGS. WE ALSO CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR AUDIENCES TO DEEPEN THEIR KNOWLEDGE, PRACTICE AND INTEREST IN EXPERIMENTAL ART BY BLACK, BROWN AND QUEER ARTISTS.

Program Service Accomplishments

Program 1
Expenses: $1,797,931 Revenue: $400,258

THE FLEA'S 2024 WORLD PREMIERE WAS BATHHOUSE.PPTX, WRITTEN BY JESS I. VALLES AND DIRECTED BY CHAY YEW. MOVING BETWEEN (A)HISTORICAL LECTURE, RE-ENACTMENT, AND CRUISING GROUND, BATHHOUSE.PPTX IS AN...

Read more

THE FLEA'S 2024 WORLD PREMIERE WAS BATHHOUSE.PPTX, WRITTEN BY JESS I. VALLES AND DIRECTED BY CHAY YEW. MOVING BETWEEN (A)HISTORICAL LECTURE, RE-ENACTMENT, AND CRUISING GROUND, BATHHOUSE.PPTX IS AN ODE TO THE PLACES THAT HOLD QUEER AWAKENING, DESIRE, AND LONGING; THE GHOSTS WHO INHABIT THEM; AND THEIR THREAT OF EXTINCTION. BATHHOUSE.PPTX RECEIVED ITS WORLD PREMIERE FROM MARCH 22 - APRIL 21, 2024. DUE TO THIS PRODUCTION'S OVERWHELMING SUCCESS, THE FLEA EXTENDED THE RUN FOR 12 PERFORMANCES THROUGH MAY 6. VALLES WAS A 2024 TOW PLAYWRIGHT IN RESIDENCE AT THE FLEA. BATHHOUSE.PPTX WAS CALLED "A FEVER DREAM, BOTH POETIC AND MYSTIFYING" BY THE NEW YORK TIMES, AND GAY CITY NEWS EXCLAIMED, "BATHHOUSE.PPTX IGNITES OFF-OFF BROADWAY WITH ARTISTRY AND HEART... STUNNINGLY ORIGINAL." BATHHOUSE.PPTX WAS PUBLISHED IN 2024 BY YALE UNIVERSITY PRESS.THE FLEA COMPLETED OUR PILOT RESIDENT COMPANY PROGRAM, WHICH OFFERS THREE-YEAR RESIDENCIES TO A COHORT OF COMPANIES FROM OUR COMMUNITY THAT REQUIRE SUPPORT IN THEIR ARTISTIC AND OPERATIONAL CAPACITIES. THE A NEW COHORT OF TWO COMPANIES WAS SELECTED FOR 2025 AND INCLUDES VIBE THEATER EXPERIENCE, A BROOKLYN-BASED PERFORMING ARTS NONPROFIT THAT PROVIDES FREE THEATER AND MUSIC EDUCATION PROGRAMMING, ACADEMIC AND WELLNESS SUPPORT SERVICES, YOUTH LEADERSHIP, AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES TO BIPOC GIRLS, YOUNG WOMEN, AND GENDER-EXPANSIVE YOUNG PEOPLE AGES 13-26 THROUGHOUT NYC AND NATIONWIDE; AND TRIBE, A MULTIDISCIPLINARY ART COLLECTIVE THAT CULTIVATES SPACE TO CREATE A PLATFORM FOR ARTISTS INSPIRED BY THE AFROFUTURISM MOVEMENT, LED BY DORIS DUKE AWARD RECIPIENT AND MACARTHUR FELLOW SHAMEL PITTS.THE FLEA EXPANDED OUR JUNETEENTH PUBLIC PERFORMANCES PROGRAM IN 2024, COMMISSIONING AND PRODUCING THE WORK OF EIGHT ARTISTS WHO PRESENTED THEIR WORK FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AT VENUES ACROSS NYC, INCLUDING THE AFRICAN BURIAL GROUND, LINCOLN CENTER ATRIUM, AND GOVERNORS ISLAND.THE FLEA ALSO PRODUCED THE NEW YORK PREMIERE OF AN INTERDISCIPLINARY OPERA, RITUAL OF BREATH: THE RITE TO RESIST, PRESENTED AT LINCOLN CENTER IN JULY 2024 IN COLLABORATION WITH THE HOPKINS CENTER AT DARTMOUTH COLLEGE. THE OPERA TELLS A STORY OF LOSS AND CONVICTION TOLD FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF ERICA GARNER, ERIC GARNER'S DAUGHTER. THE WORK WAS ACCOMPANIED WITH DOZENS OF "COMMUNITY ACTIVATIONS" ACROSS THE CITY LED BY A COMMUNITY PRODUCER THAT ENGAGED THOUSANDS OF NEW YORKERS ACROSS THE BOROUGHS IN BOTH FINE ARTS AND RACIAL JUSTICE ACTIVATIONS. THE OPERA WAS PERFORMED WITH A PROFESSIONAL COMPANY AND A 75-PERSON COMMUNITY CHOIR AND WAS FREE TO THE PUBLIC.FINALLY, IN DECEMBER, THE FLEA WON A FINISHING COMMISSION TO PARTNER WITH UNDER THE RADAR FESTIVAL TO DEVELOP OUR 2025 MAINSTAGE WE COME TO COLLECT: A FLIRTATION, WITH CAPITALISM WITH OBIE-AWARD WINNING ARTIST JENNIFER KIDWELL. THAT DEVELOPMENT BEGAN IN 2024 WITH A WORKSHOP AND CONTINUED INTO THE NEW YEAR.

🔒

Trantor Score

Financial Health Score (300–850) · Liquidity · Solvency · Sustainability · Efficiency

Sign in to view Trantor Score and financial metrics

Liquidity (40%) • Solvency (30%) • Sustainability (20%) • Efficiency (10%)

Sign In — Free (10 views/day)

Financial Overview (2024)

Revenue Breakdown

Contributions & Grants $476,276
Program Service Revenue $400,258
Investment Income $38,016
Other Revenue $6,361
TOTAL REVENUE $920,911

Expense Breakdown

Grants Paid $0
Salaries & Benefits $1,026,692
Fundraising Expenses $187,169
Program Expenses $1,797,931
Other Expenses $1,224,916
TOTAL EXPENSES $2,271,848

Year-over-Year Comparison

2024 2023 Change
Revenue $920,911 $1,316,712 -0.3%
Expenses $2,271,848 $2,065,836 +0.1%
Net Income $-1,350,937 $-749,124 +0.8%
Key Indicators
✗ Grants to Organizations ✗ Grants to Individuals ✗ Lobbying ✗ Political Activity ✗ Foreign Activities ✗ Donor Advised Fund ✓ Schedule B Required
🔒

Financial Health Indicators

Comprehensive financial analysis: Altman Z-Score, liquidity, solvency, sustainability, efficiency, and growth metrics

Financial Distress Indicator

Liquidity & Cash Position

Sign in to view all financial metrics

Altman Z-Score • Liquidity Ratios • Solvency Analysis • Growth Indicators • Efficiency Metrics

Sign In

Governance

Voting Members
13
Independent Members
11
Employees
66
Volunteers
12

Governance Policies

✓ Conflict of Interest Policy
✓ Whistleblower Policy
✗ Document Retention Policy

Special Practices & Reported Activities

✗ Operated a School
✗ Operated a Hospital
✗ Provided First Class Travel
✗ Reported Conflict of Interest
✗ Reported Asset Diversion
✗ Excess Benefit Transaction
✗ Made Political Expenditures
✗ Engaged in Lobbying
✗ Operated Donor Advised Fund
✗ Maintained Art Collections
✗ Filed Form 720

Compensation of Officers, Directors & Key Employees

Total Officers
6
$210,227
Total Directors
14
$210,227
Key Employees
0
$0
Highest Compensated
0
reported
Name Title Hours/Week Role Reportable Comp Other Comp Total
NIEGEL SMITH CO-PRESIDENT 40.00
Officer Director
$88,223 $10,519 $98,742
LAUREN BRITT-ELMORE CO-PRESIDENT/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 40.00
Officer Director
$100,966 $10,519 $111,485
TONY TRAMONTIN CO-CHAIR 1.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
NONA HENDRYX CO-CHAIR 1.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
PETER GOLDSTEIN SECRETARY 1.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
MAJA JANKO TREASURE 1.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
CHARLES RANDOLPH-WRIGHT DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
RICK MIRAMONTEZ DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
JOSY DUSSEK DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
WILLIAM BRYANT MILES DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
RUFARO MAKANDA DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
MICHAEL STERNBERG DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
JORGE MONTALVO DIRECTOR (BEGAN 4/24) 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
SARAH EAST JOHNSON DIRECTOR (THROUGH 8/24) 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
Note: Compensation data is self-reported by the organization on their Form 990. "Reportable Comp" includes salary, bonuses, and other reportable compensation from the organization and related organizations. "Other Comp" includes benefits, deferred compensation, and non-taxable benefits.

Historical Data

Year Revenue Expenses Assets Net Income
2024 $920,911 $2,271,848 $18,939,048 $-1,350,937
2023 $1,316,712 $2,065,836 $20,300,939 $-749,124
2022 $2,372,932 $1,888,430 $21,324,710 $484,502
2021 $1,198,247 $1,517,243 $20,802,738 $-318,996
2020 $1,013,526 $1,929,764 $21,186,032 $-916,238
2019 $2,674,130 $2,319,431 $22,454,040 $354,699
2018 $2,845,851 $2,419,289 $23,142,142 $426,562
Explore More Nonprofits
→Top 100 Nonprofits in New York →Largest U.S. Nonprofits →Best Rated Nonprofits →Most Efficient Nonprofits

Compare THE FLEA THEATER INC with other nonprofits in New York and across the country.

We Value Your Privacy
We use cookies and similar technologies to analyze site traffic and improve your experience. By clicking "Accept All", you consent to our use of cookies for analytics and measurement.