How does a theatre company make money? Most theatre companies have several streams of revenue. These frequently include: ticket sales donations from benefactors grants from government and nonprofit organizations merchandise sales From 1990 through 2004, the National Endowment for the Arts reports that most nonprofit theatres received between $200,000 and $400,000 annually in contributions. Because it’s much more difficult to get donations and grants as a for-profit business, the majority of theatre companies are registered 501(c)3 nonprofits.
