Nonprofit · EIN 56-6019660
OPERA CAROLINA
Tax-exempt · CHARLOTTE, NC 28204
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 30, 2025 | 990 | $1,220,109 | $2,067,129 | -$847,020 | $361,202 | $4,264,225 | -$3,903,023 |
| June 30, 2024 | 990 | $2,741,460 | $3,612,061 | -$870,601 | $814,234 | $3,995,421 | -$3,181,187 |
| June 30, 2023 | 990 | $2,920,365 | $3,265,649 | -$345,284 | $162,313 | $2,566,591 | -$2,404,278 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $2,558,057
- of which government grants
- $617,450
- Program service revenue
- $259,419
- Investment income
- $0
- Net income from fundraising events
- -$1,688,693
- Other revenue
- -$1,597,367
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $0
- Other salaries and wages
- $945,980
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $1,037,886
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Accounting fees
- $17,840
- Occupancy
- $152,800
- Travel
- $38,370
- Depreciation
- $277
- Program services (functional)
- $1,323,672
- Management and general (functional)
- $439,925
- Fundraising (functional)
- $303,532
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $814,234
- Total assets, end of year
- $361,202
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $4,264,225
- Net assets, end of year
- -$3,903,023
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $142,340
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- -$4,072,358
- Net assets with donor restrictions
- $169,335
- Gross receipts
- $2,908,802
- Employees
- 74
- Volunteers
- 130
- Year formed
- 1953
- State of legal domicile
- NC
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 June 30, 2025, highest compensation first.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| SHANTE WILLIAMS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $143,750 |
| AARON BENJAMIN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| ANN REED | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| ARLENE FEREBEE | VICE PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 |
| AUNDREA WILSON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| BARBARA HOLT | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| CACI JAEGER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| CAROL KENDRICK | BOARD CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 |
| CHARLOTTE PAYNE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| CHRISTOPHER MAURER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| CHRISTPHER MARDANY | VICE PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 |
| CRAIG DANFORTH | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| DARYL HOLLNAGEL | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 |
| ELIZABETH TRENARY | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| EMILY SMITH | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
18 more people on this return
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| FRANK BONCIMINO | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 |
| JAMES MEENA | ARTISTIC DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 40 | $0 |
| JAMES POWELL | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| JENNIFER MARTIN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| JOHN HARMELING | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| JORDAN STERN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| JULIE BERNARD | IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 |
| KI-HYUN CHUN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| LESLIE PALIYENKO | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| MARCUS MARTIN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| MARGARET PEG POVINELLI | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| MATTHEW MOORE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| NATALIE BROWN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| PAUL KARDOUS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| PHYLLIS ZANGHI | ASSISTANT TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 |
| ROB BOISVERT | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| ROB HARRINGTON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| SHARON HARRINGTON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
990 for the year ended June 30, 2024: 32 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JAMES MEENA | ARTISTIC DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 40 | $77,393 |
| ANN REED | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| ARLENE FEREBEE | VICE PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| BARBARA HOLT | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| CAROL KENDRICK | BOARD CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| CHARLOTTE PAYNE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| CHRISTPHER MARDANY | VICE PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| CHRISTOPHER MAURER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| DARYL HOLLNAGEL | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| ELIZABETH TRENARY | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| EMILY SMITH | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| FRANK BONCIMINO | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| JULIE BERNARD | IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| KI-HYUN CHUN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| LESLIE PALIYENKO | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| MARCUS MARTIN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| MATTHEW MOORE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| PAUL KARDOUS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| MARGARET PEG POVINELLI | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| PHYLLIS ZANGHI | ASSISTANT TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| NATALIE BROWN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| ROB BOISVERT | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| JOHN HARMELING | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| CACI JAEGER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| JENNIFER MARTIN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| JAMES POWELL | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| JORDAN STERN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| SHANTE WILLIAMS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| AUNDREA WILSON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| CRAIG DANFORTH | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| ROB HARRINGTON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| SHARON HARRINGTON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
990 for the year ended June 30, 2023: 34 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JAMES MEENA | ARTISTIC DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 40 | $120,502 |
| ANN REED | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| ARLENE FEREBEE | IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| BARBARA HOLT | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| CAROL KENDRICK | VICE CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| CHARLOTTE PAYNE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| CHRISTPHER MARDANY | VICE CHAIR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| CHRISTOPHER MAURER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| CURTIS WALLS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| DARYL HOLLNAGEL | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| ELIZABETH TRENARY | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| EMILY SMITH | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| FRANK BONCIMINO | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| JULIE BERNARD | BOARD CHAIR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| KI-HYUN CHUN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| LESLIE PALIYENKO | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| MARCUS MARTIN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| MARGARET FARNHAM | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| MATTHEW MOORE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| MIKE GAITHER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| PAUL KARDOUS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| MARGARET PEG POVINELLI | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| PHYLLIS ZANGHI | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| NATALIE BROWN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| ROB BOISVERT | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| PAULIN CHINNIS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| JOHN HARMELING | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| CACI JAEGER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| JENNIFER MARTIN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| JAMES POWELL | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| JOE TESSMER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| JORDAN STERN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| SHANTE WILLIAMS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| AUNDREA WILSON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 1600 ELIZABETH AVE, CHARLOTTE, NC 28204-2511
- Principal officer (990 for 2024)
- SHANTE WILLIAMS, 1600 ELIZABETH AVE, CHARLOTTE, NC 28204
- Signed the 990
- SHANTE WILLIAMS, GENERAL DIRECTOR
- Phone
- (704) 332-7177
- Website
- WWW.OPERACAROLINA.ORG
- Return prepared by
- PRAGER METIS CPAS PLLC
Mission
TO INSPIRE AND ENTERTAIN THE REGION'S DIVERSE COMMUNITY THROUGH THE PRESENTATION OF EXCELLENT OPERA, OPERETTA, MUSIC THEATRE, EDUCATION AND OUTREACH PROGRAMS THAT ELEVATE THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN THE CAROLINAS.
Program accomplishments
- THE PRIMARY PROGRAM SERVICE ACTIVITY IS THAT OF MAIN STAGE PRODUCTIONSAND EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES. OUR MAIN STAGE SHOWCASED MULTIPLEPRODUCTIONS WHICH FULFILLED OUR EXEMPT PURPOSE OF PROVIDING ACCESSIBILITY TO AND DEVELOPING KNOWLEDGE OF PROFESSIONAL OPERA AND ELEVATING THE QUALITY OF CULTURAL LIFE IN THE CAROLINAS.Expenses $1,237,423 · revenue $327,891
- THE EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDE OUR OPERA EXPRESS TOURING ARM WHICH ENGAGES OVER 20,000 CHILDREN BY MEANS OF MULTIPLE PERFORMANCES ACROSS THE STATES OF NORTH CAROLINA, SOUTH CAROLINA, AND GEORGIA; STUDENT NIGHT AT THE OPERA WHICH IS HELD DURING DRESS REHEARSAL FOR EACH MAIN STAGE PRODUCTION AND IN WHICH STUDENTS AND ADULTS PARTICIPATED, AND OPERA CAROLINA ACADEMY WHICH PROVIDES ACCESS TO MUSIC INSTRUCTION, MUSIC-DRAMA INSTRUCTION, AND AGE APPROPRIATE VOCAL INSTRUCTION FOR STUDENTS OF ALL AGES IN AN ARTISTIC ATMOSPHERE WHICH EMPHASIZES CLASSICAL MUSIC WHILE HONORING THE VALUE OF MUSICAL EXPRESSION IN ALL GENRES.Expenses $86,249 · revenue $22,854
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 June, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.
| Tax year | Year ended | Due | IRS public records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | June 30, 2026 | November 16, 2026 | Not due yet |
| 2024 | June 30, 2025 | November 17, 2025 | 990 on file |
| 2023 | June 30, 2024 | November 15, 2024 | 990 on file |
IRS record
- EIN
- 56-6019660
- 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
- 1957
- Accounting year ends
- June
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Arts, culture and humanities (A6A0)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $361,202
- Income (IRS master file)
- $2,908,802
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | June 2025 | $1,220,109 | $2,067,129 | $361,202 | IRS |
| 990 | June 2024 | $2,741,460 | $3,612,061 | $814,234 | XML |
| 990 | June 2023 | $2,920,365 | $3,265,649 | $162,313 | XML |
| 990 | June 2022 | $3,080,545 | $2,901,455 | $515,766 | IRS |
| 990 | June 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | June 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | June 2019 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | June 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 56-6019660).
Questions about OPERA CAROLINA
- What is the EIN of OPERA CAROLINA?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of OPERA CAROLINA is 56-6019660.
- Is OPERA CAROLINA tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1957.
- Are donations to OPERA CAROLINA tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does OPERA CAROLINA 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 OPERA CAROLINA due?
- The return for tax year 2025 (the year ending June 30, 2026) is due November 16, 2026. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
- When did OPERA CAROLINA last file with the IRS?
- The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended June 2025.
- Who is the principal officer of OPERA CAROLINA?
- The 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 names SHANTE WILLIAMS.
- Who are the officers and directors of OPERA CAROLINA?
- The 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 lists 33 people; 1 received compensation from the organization, the highest $143,750 (SHANTE WILLIAMS, DIRECTOR).
- How much revenue does OPERA CAROLINA have?
- On its 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 it reported revenue of $1,220,109, expenses of $2,067,129 and total assets of $361,202 at year end.
Other nonprofits in CHARLOTTE
- NORTH CAROLINA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER AT CHARLOTTE FOUNDATION EIN 58-1791724 · last filed 990 for 2025
- ROOF ABOVE INC EIN 56-1837620 · last filed 990 for 2025
- CHARLOTTE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA SOCIETY INC EIN 56-6011568 · last filed 990 for 2025
- CHARLOTTE BALLET EIN 58-1314711 · last filed 990 for 2025
- DISCOVERY PLACE INC EIN 56-0529944 · last filed 990 for 2025
- MINT MUSEUM OF ART INC EIN 56-0670666 · last filed 990 for 2025
- ARTS SCIENCES & CULTURAL COUNCIL OF CHARLOTTE-MECKLENBURG INC EIN 99-4002299 · last filed 990 for 2025
- CCCP COMMUNITY TRUST EIN 01-0554275 · last filed 990 for 2025
All nonprofits in CHARLOTTE · North Carolina · Arts, culture and humanities