MESNER PUPPET THEATER

EIN: 431458119 501(c)(3) Arts, Culture & Humanities

Kansas City, MO

Total Revenue
$524,464
Total Expenses
$643,868
Total Assets
$428,066
Net Assets
$398,217
🔒

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
1987
Legal Domicile
MO
Principal Officer
Amanda Kibler
Phone
8167563500
Tax Period
2024-07-01 to 2025-06-30

MESNER PUPPET THEATER, founded in 1987, is a small nonprofit in the Arts, Culture & Humanities sector that reported $524K in total revenue in fiscal year 2024. Revenue fell 36% from the prior year — a significant decline worth monitoring. Expenses of $644K exceeded revenue, resulting in a 23% operating deficit.

Mission

The organization's mission is to inspire play and cultivate connections through puppetry.

Program Service Accomplishments

Program 1
Expenses: $176,980 Revenue: $195,474

Our Puppets in Education program combines professional puppetry with arts integrated learning strategies for schools and can be facilitated live or digitally. These programs serve 233 classrooms per...

Read more

Our Puppets in Education program combines professional puppetry with arts integrated learning strategies for schools and can be facilitated live or digitally. These programs serve 233 classrooms per year with nearly 5,000 youth and adult participants. For our Arts Integration Residencies program, through classroom facilitation, professional development workshops, family engagement performances, and art installation provocations, What If Puppets becomes a part of a school's culture for an entire school year or more. Artists provide 3 hours of service per classroom, per month. This program serves 116 classrooms per year. "In the Workshop" is an arts integrated social-emotional learning program that combines live interactive performance and resources for educators of early elementary students. The program empowers educators to teach social-emotional learning through art, storytelling, and puppetry. This program leads our scholarship efforts and will be presented to 30 classrooms at no cost.

Program 2
Expenses: $100,225 Revenue: $125,851

Puppets on Tour is comprised of full-length shows (45-60 minutes) for assemblies or public performances at libraries, festivals, and art centers. Tours are available year-round locally and...

Read more

Puppets on Tour is comprised of full-length shows (45-60 minutes) for assemblies or public performances at libraries, festivals, and art centers. Tours are available year-round locally and nationally, and can be presented live. Tours are booked by schools and libraries on an ongoing basis. The organization holds the distinction of receiving three Union Internationale de la Marionette (UNIMA-USA) Citations of Excellence. The UNIMA-USA award was created by Jim Henson to promote high quality puppetry in the United States and is considered the "Academy Award" of puppetry. The company is also an 8-time recipient of the Jim Henson Family Foundation grant to support new work development, most recently receiving an award for our 2021 original production "How to Snag a Sea Monster."

Program 3
Expenses: $107,535 Revenue: $62,297

As part of our professional services, we collaborate with local arts organizations to create one-of-a-kind puppets and to provide puppeteer training and direction at steeply discounted non-profit...

Read more

As part of our professional services, we collaborate with local arts organizations to create one-of-a-kind puppets and to provide puppeteer training and direction at steeply discounted non-profit rates.

🔒

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 $137,359
Program Service Revenue $383,622
Investment Income $301
Other Revenue $3,182
TOTAL REVENUE $524,464

Expense Breakdown

Grants Paid $0
Salaries & Benefits $511,979
Fundraising Expenses $38,036
Program Expenses $384,740
Other Expenses $123,437
TOTAL EXPENSES $643,868

Year-over-Year Comparison

2024 2023 Change
Revenue $524,464 $813,239 -0.4%
Expenses $643,868 $721,482 -0.1%
Net Income $-119,404 $91,757 -2.3%
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
5
Independent Members
5
Employees
13
Volunteers
10

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
3
$73,376
Total Directors
5
$0
Key Employees
0
$0
Highest Compensated
0
reported
Name Title Hours/Week Role Reportable Comp Other Comp Total
Amanda Kibler Executive Artistic Director 40
Officer
$71,175 $2,201 $73,376
Darin Shreves Member 5
Director
$0 $0 $0
Harrison Quinn Treasurer 3
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
Kellye Crockett President 8
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
Ann Boldt Member 5
Director
$0 $0 $0
Steve Wilson Member 5
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
2025 $524,464 $643,868 $428,066 $-119,404
2024 No data No data No data No data
2023 $675,037 $641,972 $489,242 $33,065
2022 $585,166 $363,160 $404,408 $222,006
2021 $360,871 $293,788 $199,933 $67,083
2020 $357,217 $296,511 $133,424 $60,706
2019 $410,127 $412,688 $41,147 $-2,561
2018 $458,475 $464,101 $36,023 $-5,626
Explore More Nonprofits
Top 100 Nonprofits in Missouri Largest U.S. Nonprofits Best Rated Nonprofits Most Efficient Nonprofits

Compare MESNER PUPPET THEATER with other nonprofits in Missouri and across the country.