Nonprofit · EIN 41-1856160
CIRCUS OF THE STAR
Tax-exempt · SAINT PAUL, MN 55116
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 31, 2025 | 990 | $4,188,955 | $4,041,959 | $146,996 | $4,457,982 | $1,227,697 | $3,230,285 |
| August 31, 2024 | 990 | $4,144,474 | $4,007,572 | $136,902 | $4,240,180 | $1,156,891 | $3,083,289 |
| August 31, 2023 | 990 | $4,341,252 | $4,084,865 | $256,387 | $4,151,867 | $1,205,480 | $2,946,387 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended August 31, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $508,081
- of which government grants
- $207,498
- Program service revenue
- $3,516,874
- Investment income
- $106,549
- Net income from fundraising events
- -$40,243
- Net income from gaming
- $14,460
- Net income from sales of inventory
- $70,290
- Other revenue
- $57,451
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $272,000
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $330,998
- Other salaries and wages
- $1,713,254
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $2,441,769
- Professional fundraising fees
- $1,900
- Legal fees
- $530
- Accounting fees
- $89,271
- Occupancy
- $111,154
- Travel
- $7,783
- Depreciation
- $112,801
- Program services (functional)
- $3,583,935
- Management and general (functional)
- $226,224
- Fundraising (functional)
- $231,800
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $4,240,180
- Total assets, end of year
- $4,457,982
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $1,227,697
- Net assets, end of year
- $3,230,285
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $1,304,580
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $3,230,285
- Gross unrelated business income
- $4,590
- Gross receipts
- $4,308,817
- Employees
- 74
- Volunteers
- 336
- Year formed
- 1995
- State of legal domicile
- MN
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 for the year ended August 31, 2025, highest compensation first.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROB DAWSON | EXCECUTIVE DIRECTOR Officer | 40 | $155,426 | $25,925 |
| RACHEL BUTLER NORRIS | ARTISTIC DIRECTOR Officer | 40 | $117,424 | $10,426 |
| SONIA MILLER-VON-OORT | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 7 | $0 | $0 |
| JOHN HARRINGTON | VICE CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| JOHN BENNETT | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| ERICH AXMACHER | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 7 | $0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended August 31, 2024: 11 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROB DAWSON | MANAGING DIRECTOR/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (STARTED 9/1/ Trustee or director, Officer | 45 | $139,749 | $15,164 |
| DANIEL BUTLER | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (ENDED 8/31/23) Former | 45 | $129,013 | $21,527 |
| ELIZABETH BUTLER | ARISTIC DIRECTOR (ENDED 8/31/23) Former | 45 | $109,163 | $20,796 |
| RACHEL BUTLER NORRIS | ASST ARTISTIC DIRECTOR/ARTISTIC DIRECTOR (STARTED Trustee or director, Officer | 45 | $108,347 | $9,723 |
| CHERITI SWIGART | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 10 | $0 | $0 |
| JOHN HARRINGTON | VICE CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 5 | $0 | $0 |
| SONIA MILLER-VON-OORT | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 10 | $0 | $0 |
| JOHN BENNETT | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 5 | $0 | $0 |
| ERICH AXMACHER | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 5 | $0 | $0 |
| SHANI NORBERG | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 5 | $0 | $0 |
| ANN REYNOLDS | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 5 | $0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended August 31, 2023: 12 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DANIEL W BUTLER | CEO/CO-FOUNDER Trustee or director, Officer | 40 | $196,680 | $25,426 |
| BETTY BUTLER | VP/ARTISTIC DIR./CO-FOUNDER Trustee or director, Officer | 40 | $167,604 | $28,470 |
| ROBERT DAWSON | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Trustee or director, Officer | 40 | $114,167 | $2,075 |
| RACHEL BUTLER NORRIS | ARTISTIC DIRECTOR Trustee or director, Officer | 40 | $97,409 | $1,150 |
| CHERITI SWIGART | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JOHN HARRINGTON | VICE CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ROZ ALLYSON | FORMER TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| SHANI NORBERG | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ERICH AXMACHER | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ANN REYNOLDS | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| SONIA MILLER-VAN OORT | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JOHN BENNET | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 1270 MONTREAL AVE, SAINT PAUL, MN 55116-2400
- In care of
- % ELIZABETH BUTLER
- Principal officer (990 for 2024)
- ROBERT DAWSON, 1270 MONTREAL AVENUE, ST PAUL, MN 55116
- Signed the 990
- ROBERT DAWSON, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
- Phone
- (651) 699-8229
- Website
- CIRCUSJUVENTAS.ORG
- Return prepared by
- CBIZ ADVISORS LLC
Mission
CIRCUS JUVENTAS, A PERFORMING ARTS CIRCUS SCHOOL FOR YOUTH, IS DEDICATED TO INSPIRING ARTISTRY AND SELF-CONFIDENCE THROUGH A MULTI-CULTURAL CIRCUS ARTS EXPERIENCE.
Program accomplishments
- CLASSES: CIRCUS JUVENTAS OFFERS OUTSTANDING CIRCUS ARTS TRAINING TO YOUTH AGES 2 TO 22. INDIVIDUAL AND COLLABORATIVE SKILLS ARE TAUGHT IN A CULTURE OF RESPECT, ACCEPTANCE, AND INDIVIDUALITY WITH A FOCUS ON SAFETY AND CREATIVITY. BEGINNING, INTERMEDIATE, AND ADVANCED LEVEL CLASSES ARE OFFERED YEAR-ROUND ALONG WITH SUMMER CAMPS AND WORKSHOPS IN A WIDE RANGE OF CIRCUS ACTS. SPECIALTY CLASSES ARE OFFERED FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES AND FOR ADULTS TRAINING TO BE PROFESSIONALS IN THE CIRCUS ARTS. TRAINING IS PROVIDED BY OVER 40 EXPERIENCED AND DIVERSE CIRCUS PROFESSIONALS FROM AROUND THE WORLD. IN FY25, 1,430 INDIVIDUALS ENROLLED IN OVER 1,000 CLASS SESSIONS AT OUR FACILITY ALONE.Expenses $2,293,669 · grants $272,000 · revenue $2,327,480
- PERFORMANCES: A KEY ELEMENT OF CIRCUS JUVENTAS' PROGRAMMING ARE THE PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES OFFERED TO ALL STUDENTS. IN A TYPICAL YEAR, OVER 750 BEGINNING/INTERMEDIATE LEVEL STUDENTS PERFORM IN A LARGE-SCALE SPRING PRODUCTION WITH MUSIC, COSTUMING, AND PRESENTATION. THE ANNUAL SUMMER SHOW IS PROFESSIONAL LEVEL WITH ORIGINAL SETS, COSTUMES, MUSIC, AND STAGING, INVOLVING OVER 70 OF OUR MOST ADVANCED STUDENTS AND RUNNING OVER 3 WEEKENDS. EACH WINTER, OUR INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED STUDENTS PERFORM AT OUR ANNUAL HOLIDAY SHOW. COMBINED AUDIENCES FOR THESE SHOWS GENERALLY TOP 24,000 ATTENDEES ANNUALLY. IN FY25, STUDENTS IN THE SPRING CELEBRATION PERFORMANCES, SUMMER SHOW, AND HOLIDAY SHOW PERFORMED FOR NEARLY SOLD-OUT HOUSES.Expenses $1,253,899 · revenue $1,200,405
- HOSTING AND OUTSIDE EVENTS: IN A TYPICAL YEAR, CIRCUS JUVENTAS CONDUCTS COMMUNITY OUTREACH THROUGH PERFORMANCES UNDER ITS BIG TOP AND AT COMMUNITY EVENTS. IN FY25, THESE INCLUDED COMMUNITY DAY, THE BLAZE CREDIT UNION ANNUAL MEETING, CIRCUS NIGHT AT RUNNING ACES, WINTER CARNIVAL, THE ROYALSTON SQUARE GRAND OPENING, VISIT SAINT PAUL AT ALLIANZ FIELD, AND THE MINNESOTA ORCHESTRA GALA. CIRCUS JUVENTAS ALSO PROVIDED COMPLIMENTARY TICKETS TO OUTREACH PARTNERS, INCLUDING NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSE, SAINT PAUL PARKS AND RECREATION, AND OTHER YOUTH-SERVING CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS.Expenses $36,367
What it must file and when
IRS records say it files Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N. Its accounting year ends in August, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.
| Tax year | Year ended | Due | IRS public records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | August 31, 2026 | January 15, 2027 | Not due yet |
| 2024 | August 31, 2025 | January 15, 2026 | 990 on file |
| 2023 | August 31, 2024 | January 15, 2025 | 990 on file |
IRS record
- EIN
- 41-1856160
- Tax-exempt status
- 501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
- Foundation status
- Publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(A)(vi))
- Donations deductible (Pub 78)
- Public charity, 50% deduction limit
- Exempt since
- 1998
- Accounting year ends
- August
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Youth development (O50)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $4,457,982
- Income (IRS master file)
- $4,308,817
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | August 2025 | $4,188,955 | $4,041,959 | $4,457,982 | XML |
| 990-T | August 2025 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | August 2024 | $4,144,474 | $4,007,572 | $4,240,180 | XML |
| 990-T | August 2024 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | August 2023 | $4,341,252 | $4,084,865 | $4,151,867 | XML |
| 990-T | August 2023 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | August 2022 | $4,471,678 | $3,610,721 | $3,605,957 | IRS |
| 990-T | August 2022 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | August 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990-T | August 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | August 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | August 2019 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | August 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 41-1856160).
Questions about CIRCUS OF THE STAR
- What is the EIN of CIRCUS OF THE STAR?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of CIRCUS OF THE STAR is 41-1856160.
- Is CIRCUS OF THE STAR tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1998.
- Are donations to CIRCUS OF THE STAR tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does CIRCUS OF THE STAR file?
- Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N.
- When is the next return of CIRCUS OF THE STAR due?
- The return for tax year 2025 (the year ending August 31, 2026) is due January 15, 2027. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
- When did CIRCUS OF THE STAR last file with the IRS?
- The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended August 2025.
- Who is the principal officer of CIRCUS OF THE STAR?
- The 990 for the year ended August 31, 2025 names ROBERT DAWSON.
- Who are the officers and directors of CIRCUS OF THE STAR?
- The 990 for the year ended August 31, 2025 lists 6 people; 2 received compensation from the organization, the highest $155,426 (ROB DAWSON, EXCECUTIVE DIRECTOR).
- How much revenue does CIRCUS OF THE STAR have?
- On its 990 for the year ended August 31, 2025 it reported revenue of $4,188,955, expenses of $4,041,959 and total assets of $4,457,982 at year end.
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All nonprofits in SAINT PAUL · Minnesota · Youth development