Nonprofit · EIN 27-0999829
DRAMATISTS LEGAL DEFENSE FUND
Tax-exempt (reinstated) · NEW YORK, NY 10036
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 30, 2025 | 990-EZ | $25,677 | $99,110 | -$73,433 | $35,284 | $936 | $34,348 |
| September 30, 2024 | 990-EZ | $39,535 | $31,339 | $8,196 | $107,852 | $71 | $107,781 |
| September 30, 2023 | 990-EZ | $28,075 | $38,840 | -$10,765 | $99,610 | $25 | $99,585 |
Financial details: 990-EZ for the year ended September 30, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $25,677
Expenses
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $0
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $43,548
- Professional fees and payments to contractors
- $46,911
- Printing, publications and postage
- $1,704
- Other expenses
- $6,947
- Program services (functional)
- $55,924
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $107,852
- Total assets, end of year
- $35,284
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $936
- Net assets, end of year
- $34,348
- Cash, savings and investments
- $33,681
- Gross receipts
- $25,677
From the e-filed returns the IRS publishes as XML (latest three processing years; amended returns replace the original). PDF copies at the IRS.
Officers, directors and key employees
As listed on the 990-EZ for the year ended September 30, 2025, highest compensation first.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JOHN WEIDMAN | PRESIDENT | 1 | $0 |
| RICK PAPPAS | VICE PRESIDENT | 1 | $0 |
| RALPH SEVUSH | TREASURER/SECRETARY | 1 | $0 |
| LAURENCE SORKIN | DIRECTOR | 1 | $0 |
| JT ROGERS | DIRECTOR | 1 | $0 |
| CHERYL DAVIS | DIRECTOR | 1 | $0 |
| EMILY MANN | DIRECTOR | 1 | $0 |
| ROBERT SCHENKKAN | DIRECTOR | 1 | $0 |
| HOWARD SHERMAN | DIRECTOR | 1 | $0 |
| LYDIA DIAMOND | DIRECTOR | 1 | $0 |
| RAUL ESPARZA | DIRECTOR | 1 | $0 |
| MARA ISAACS | DIRECTOR | 1 | $0 |
990-EZ for the year ended September 30, 2024: 8 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JOHN WEIDMAN | PRESIDENT | 1 | $0 |
| F RICHARD PAPPAS | VICE PRESIDENT | 1 | $0 |
| RALPH SEVUSH | TREASURER | 1 | $0 |
| JT ROGERS | SECRETARY | 1 | $0 |
| CHERYL DAVIS | DIRECTOR | 1 | $0 |
| LYDIA DIAMOND | DIRECTOR | 1 | $0 |
| LARRY SORKIN | DIRECTOR | 1 | $0 |
| MARA ISAACS | DIRECTOR | 1 | $0 |
990-EZ for the year ended September 30, 2023: 8 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JOHN WEIDMAN | PRESIDENT | 1 | $0 |
| F RICHARD PAPPAS | VICE PRESIDENT | 1 | $0 |
| RALPH SEVUSH | TREASURER | 1 | $0 |
| JT ROGERS | SECRETARY | 1 | $0 |
| CHERYL DAVIS | DIRECTOR | 1 | $0 |
| LYDIA DIAMOND | DIRECTOR | 1 | $0 |
| LARRY SORKIN | DIRECTOR | 1 | $0 |
| MARA ISAACS | DIRECTOR | 1 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 1501 BROADWAY, NEW YORK, NY 10036-5601
- In care of
- % DAVID H FAUX
- Signed the 990-EZ
- RALPH SEVUSH, TREASURER
- Phone
- (212) 398-9366
- Website
- WWW.THEDLDF.ORG
- Return prepared by
- BRINKER SIMPSON & COMPANY LLC
Mission
TO SUPPORT DRAMATIC AUTHORS FACING LEGAL CHALLENGES ARISING FROM THEIR WORK, HELP THEM PROTECT THE INTEGRITY OF THE WORK, EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ON MATTERS RELATED TO A WRITER'S COPYRIGHTS, ADVOCATE FOR FREEDOM OF SPEECH IN CONNECTION WITH STAGE PRODUCTIONS ACROSS THE COUNTRY, AND FIND PRO BONO LEGAL SERVICES FOR WRITERS OF LIMITED MEANS.
Program accomplishments
- PROTECTION OF PROGRESS OF USEFUL ARTS AND ADVANCEMENT OF MATTERS HAVING GENERAL PUBLIC IMPORT WITH RELATION TO STAGE AUTHORS RIGHTS TO THEIR RESPECTIVE WRITING.Expenses $55,924
What it must file and when
IRS records say it files Form 990-N (e-Postcard). Gross receipts normally $50,000 or less. Its accounting year ends in September, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.
| Tax year | Year ended | Due | IRS public records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | September 30, 2026 | February 16, 2027 | Not due yet |
| 2024 | September 30, 2025 | February 17, 2026 | 990-EZ on file |
| 2023 | September 30, 2024 | February 18, 2025 | 990-EZ on file |
IRS record
- EIN
- 27-0999829
- Tax-exempt status
- 501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
- Foundation status
- Supporting organization (509(a)(3))
- Donations deductible (Pub 78)
- Supporting organization of unknown type
- Exempt since
- 2012
- Accounting year ends
- September
- Files
- Form 990-N (e-Postcard)
- Category (NTEE)
- Civil rights, social action and advocacy (R99)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $35,284
- Income (IRS master file)
- $25,677
Revocation and reinstatement
- Exemption revoked
- February 15, 2012
- Posted by the IRS
- March 11, 2013
- Reinstated
- Effective February 15, 2012
From the IRS automatic revocation list: organizations that did not file a required return or e-Postcard for three consecutive years.
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990-EZ | September 2025 | $25,677 | $99,110 | $35,284 | XML |
| 990-EZ | September 2024 | $39,535 | $31,339 | $107,852 | XML |
| 990-EZ | September 2023 | $28,075 | $38,840 | $99,610 | XML |
| 990-EZ | September 2022 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990-EZ | September 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990-EZ | September 2019 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990-EZ | September 2018 | – | – | – | IRS |
990-N: the IRS bulk file holds only the latest e-Postcard per organization; earlier years come from archived copies of that file since 2020 and can have gaps (the IRS e-Postcard search lists every one). 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-T: every e-filed return in the IRS e-file index since 2019; XML for the latest three processing years, amounts from the IRS Statistics of Income extracts before that. PDF copies and determination letters at the IRS (search EIN 27-0999829).
Questions about DRAMATISTS LEGAL DEFENSE FUND
- What is the EIN of DRAMATISTS LEGAL DEFENSE FUND?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of DRAMATISTS LEGAL DEFENSE FUND is 27-0999829.
- Is DRAMATISTS LEGAL DEFENSE FUND tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS revoked its exemption on February 15, 2012 and reinstated it effective February 15, 2012.
- Are donations to DRAMATISTS LEGAL DEFENSE FUND tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Supporting organization of unknown type).
- Which annual return does DRAMATISTS LEGAL DEFENSE FUND file?
- Form 990-N (e-Postcard). Gross receipts normally $50,000 or less.
- When is the next return of DRAMATISTS LEGAL DEFENSE FUND due?
- The return for tax year 2025 (the year ending September 30, 2026) is due February 16, 2027. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
- When did DRAMATISTS LEGAL DEFENSE FUND last file with the IRS?
- The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990-EZ for the year ended September 2025.
- Who are the officers and directors of DRAMATISTS LEGAL DEFENSE FUND?
- The 990-EZ for the year ended September 30, 2025 lists 12 people; 0 received compensation from the organization.
- How much revenue does DRAMATISTS LEGAL DEFENSE FUND have?
- On its 990-EZ for the year ended September 30, 2025 it reported revenue of $25,677, expenses of $99,110 and total assets of $35,284 at year end.
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