Civic Intelligence

Vicious Circle

EIN 27-2472272 • 501(c)3 • Brooklyn, NY

Profile

The Vicious Circle was founded in 2010 by Jerry Marsini, Meredith Lynsey Schade, and Tony Speciale to create, develop and produce new, ensemble-based works.

407 Prospect AvenueBrooklyn, NY 11215

wearevicious.org

Siviq Scores

Precomputed percentiles relative to similar nonprofits. These scores are descriptive rather than judgmental.

Liabilities / Assets

80th percentile

0.13x

Higher debt load relative to assets than 80% of similar nonprofits.

501(c)3 • <$500k nonprofits • Source year 2025

Liabilities / Revenue

72nd percentile

0.02x

Higher debt load relative to revenue than 72% of similar nonprofits.

501(c)3 • <$500k nonprofits • Source year 2025

Net Margin

36th percentile

-4.9%

Higher net margin than 36% of similar nonprofits.

501(c)3 • <$500k nonprofits • Source year 2025

Top Officer Pay

91st percentile

$16,800

Higher top officer pay than 91% of similar nonprofits.

Top officer pay equals 19.1% of source-year revenue.

501(c)3 • <$500k nonprofits • Source year 2025

Asset Growth

43rd percentile

-6.1%

Faster asset growth than 43% of similar nonprofits.

501(c)3 • <$500k nonprofits • Annualized from 2023 to 2025

Revenue Growth

100th percentile

8833%

Faster revenue growth than 100% of similar nonprofits.

501(c)3 • <$500k nonprofits • Annualized from 2023 to 2025

Balance Sheet
Liabilities / Assets80th percentile

Assets

Down

$12,291

Down $2,854 (-19%) from 2024

Liabilities

Up

$1,596

Up $1,472 (+1187%) from 2024

Net Assets

Down

$10,695

Down $4,326 (-29%) from 2024

Operations
Liabilities / Revenue72nd percentileNet Margin36th percentile

Revenue

Down

$87,783

Down $19,688 (-18%) from 2024

Expenses

Down

$92,109

Down $14,267 (-13%) from 2024

Net Income

Down

-$4,326

Down $5,421 (-495%) from 2024

Trend Graphs

Balance Sheet Trend

Asset Growth43rd percentile

Grouped bars show assets, liabilities, and net assets across loaded filings.

$20K$15K$10K$5.0K$0Assets 2020: $13,490Liabilities 2020: $0Net Assets 2020: $13,4902020Assets 2021: $15,442Liabilities 2021: $0Net Assets 2021: $15,4422021Assets 2022: $14,581Liabilities 2022: $512Net Assets 2022: $14,0692022Assets 2023: $13,926Liabilities 2023: $0Net Assets 2023: $13,9262023Assets 2024: $15,145Liabilities 2024: $124Net Assets 2024: $15,0212024Assets 2025: $12,291Liabilities 2025: $1,596Net Assets 2025: $10,6952025

Highlighted filing

2025

Assets$12,291
Liabilities$1,596
Net Assets$10,695
Open 2025 Filing

Operations Trend

Revenue Growth100th percentile

Revenue, expenses, and net income by year, with the latest filing highlighted.

$150K$100K$50K$0-$50KRevenue 2020: $29,360Expenses 2020: $18,881Net Income 2020: $10,4792020Revenue 2021: $9,513Expenses 2021: $8,097Net Income 2021: $1,4162021Revenue 2022: $8,005Expenses 2022: $9,278Net Income 2022: -$1,2732022Revenue 2023: $11Expenses 2023: $154Net Income 2023: -$1432023Revenue 2024: $107,471Expenses 2024: $106,376Net Income 2024: $1,0952024Revenue 2025: $87,783Expenses 2025: $92,109Net Income 2025: -$4,3262025

Highlighted filing

2025

Revenue$87,783
Expenses$92,109
Net Income-$4,326
Open 2025 Filing

Filings

Most recent year

2025 • Form 990EZDetailed filing. Detailed filing data is available for this year.

Open filing
Assets
$12,291
Liabilities
$1,596
Net assets
$10,695
Revenue
$87,783
Expenses
$92,109
Net income
-$4,326
Balance SheetOperations
YearAssetsLiabilitiesNet AssetsRevenueExpensesNet Income
2025Detailed filing. Detailed filing data is available for this year.$0.12$0.02$0.11$0.88$0.92$0.04
2024XML pending. An XML filing is linked for this year, but detailed extraction is still pending.$0.15$0.00$0.15$1.07$1.06$0.01
2023XML pending. An XML filing is linked for this year, but detailed extraction is still pending.$0.14$0.00$0.14$0.00$0.00$0.00
2022Detailed filing. Detailed filing data is available for this year.$0.15$0.01$0.14$0.08$0.09$0.01
2021Detailed filing. Detailed filing data is available for this year.$0.15$0.00$0.15$0.10$0.08$0.01
2020Detailed filing. Detailed filing data is available for this year.$0.13$0.00$0.13$0.29$0.19$0.10
Latest Filing Detail
Jump To
Filing Snapshot
Filing Period
Jun 1, 2024 to May 31, 2025
Signed
Oct 15, 2025
Return Version
2024v5.0
Gross Receipts
$87,783
Mission and Program Overview

Mission

The Vicious Circle was founded in 2010 by Jerry Marsini, Meredith Lynsey Schade, and Tony Speciale to create, develop and produce new, ensemble-based works.

Program Services

DescriptionGrantsExpenses
In 2024, we provided development and workshop support for the new musical SALEM by Kira Stone. We also produced a number of readings of new plays written by Michael Weller.$0$39,304
Compensation and Service Providers
Top Officer Pay91st percentile

Employees

NameTitleFull / Part TimeBaseOtherTotal
Meredith SchadeCo-Founding DirectorPT$16,800-$16,800
Tony SpecialeCo-Founding DirectorPT$350-$350
Gerald MarsiniCo-Founding DirectorPT$0--
Filing and Contact Details

Filer

Filer Name
Vicious Circle
EIN
27-2472272
Phone
9173280241
Address
407 Prospect Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11215

Signing Officer

Name
Meredith Schade
Title
Founding Co-Director
Phone
9173280241
Signed
2025-10-15
Supplemental Narrative

Additional Explanations

Form 990-EZ, Part I, Line 8

“Description;Amount^Write Off Debt;1229^Total;1229^”

Form 990-EZ, Part I, Line 16

“Description;Amount^Administrative Expenses;6646|Miscellaneous Expenses;106|Production Expenses;2582^Total;9334^”

Form 990-EZ, Part I, Line 20

“N/A”

Form 990-EZ, Part II, Line 26

“Description;EOY Amount^Bills Outstanding;1596^Total;1596^”

Raw XML Appendix162 raw XML fields

This appendix keeps the raw XML leaves available for debugging and edge-case review. The human report above is the primary experience.

Path#Value
IRS990EZ/ActivitiesNotPreviouslyRptInd00
IRS990EZ/BenefitsPaidToOrForMembersAmt00
IRS990EZ/BooksInCareOfDetail/PersonNm0Meredith Schade
IRS990EZ/BooksInCareOfDetail/PhoneNum09173280241
IRS990EZ/BooksInCareOfDetail/USAddress/AddressLine1Txt0407 Prospect Avenue
IRS990EZ/BooksInCareOfDetail/USAddress/CityNm0Brooklyn
IRS990EZ/BooksInCareOfDetail/USAddress/StateAbbreviationCd0NY
IRS990EZ/BooksInCareOfDetail/USAddress/ZIPCd011215
IRS990EZ/CashSavingsAndInvestmentsGrp/BOYAmt015145
IRS990EZ/CashSavingsAndInvestmentsGrp/EOYAmt012291
IRS990EZ/ChgMadeToOrgnzngDocNotRptInd00
IRS990EZ/ContributionsGiftsGrantsEtcAmt086130
IRS990EZ/CostOfGoodsSoldAmt00
IRS990EZ/CostOrOtherBasisExpenseSaleAmt00
IRS990EZ/DirectIndirectPltclExpendAmt00
IRS990EZ/DonorAdvisedFndsInd00
IRS990EZ/EngagedInExcessBenefitTransInd00
IRS990EZ/ExcessOrDeficitForYearAmt0-4326
IRS990EZ/FeesAndOtherPymtToIndCntrctAmt025334
IRS990EZ/FiledScheduleAInd01
IRS990EZ/ForeignFinancialAccountInd00
IRS990EZ/ForeignOfficeInd00
IRS990EZ/Form1120PolFiledInd00
IRS990EZ/Form990TotalAssetsGrp/BOYAmt015145
IRS990EZ/Form990TotalAssetsGrp/EOYAmt012291
IRS990EZ/FundraisingGrossIncomeAmt00
IRS990EZ/GainOrLossFromSaleOfAssetsAmt00
IRS990EZ/GamingGrossIncomeAmt00
IRS990EZ/GrantsAndSimilarAmountsPaidAmt00
IRS990EZ/GrossProfitLossSlsOfInvntryAmt00
IRS990EZ/GrossReceiptsAmt087783
IRS990EZ/GrossSalesOfInventoryAmt00
IRS990EZ/InfoInScheduleOPartIIInd0X
IRS990EZ/InfoInScheduleOPartIInd0X
IRS990EZ/InvestmentIncomeAmt05
IRS990EZ/LandAndBuildingsGrp/BOYAmt00
IRS990EZ/LandAndBuildingsGrp/EOYAmt00
IRS990EZ/LobbyingActivitiesInd00
IRS990EZ/MadeLoansToFromOfficersInd00
IRS990EZ/MembershipDuesAmt00
IRS990EZ/MethodOfAccountingAccrualInd0X
IRS990EZ/NetAssetsOrFundBalancesBOYAmt015021
IRS990EZ/NetAssetsOrFundBalancesEOYAmt010695
IRS990EZ/NetAssetsOrFundBalancesGrp/BOYAmt015021
IRS990EZ/NetAssetsOrFundBalancesGrp/EOYAmt010695
IRS990EZ/OccupancyRentUtltsAndMaintAmt01500
IRS990EZ/OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp/AverageHrsPerWkDevotedToPosRt020
IRS990EZ/OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp/AverageHrsPerWkDevotedToPosRt15
IRS990EZ/OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp/AverageHrsPerWkDevotedToPosRt25
IRS990EZ/OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp/CompensationAmt016800
IRS990EZ/OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp/CompensationAmt1350
IRS990EZ/OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp/CompensationAmt20
IRS990EZ/OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp/EmployeeBenefitProgramAmt00
IRS990EZ/OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp/EmployeeBenefitProgramAmt10
IRS990EZ/OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp/EmployeeBenefitProgramAmt20
IRS990EZ/OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp/ExpenseAccountOtherAllwncAmt00
IRS990EZ/OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp/ExpenseAccountOtherAllwncAmt10
IRS990EZ/OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp/ExpenseAccountOtherAllwncAmt20
IRS990EZ/OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp/PersonNm0Meredith Schade
IRS990EZ/OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp/PersonNm1Tony Speciale
IRS990EZ/OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp/PersonNm2Gerald Marsini
IRS990EZ/OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp/TitleTxt0Co-Founding Director
IRS990EZ/OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp/TitleTxt1Co-Founding Director
IRS990EZ/OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp/TitleTxt2Co-Founding Director
IRS990EZ/OperateHospitalInd00
IRS990EZ/Organization501c3Ind0X
IRS990EZ/OrganizationDissolvedEtcInd00
IRS990EZ/OrganizationHadUBIInd00
IRS990EZ/OtherAssetsTotalDetail/BOYAmt00
IRS990EZ/OtherAssetsTotalDetail/EOYAmt00
IRS990EZ/OtherChangesInNetAssetsAmt00
IRS990EZ/OtherExpensesTotalAmt09334
IRS990EZ/OtherRevenueTotalAmt01229
IRS990EZ/PartVIHghstPdCntrctProfSrvcTxt0NONE
IRS990EZ/PartVIOfCompOfHghstPdEmplTxt0NONE
IRS990EZ/PoliticalCampaignActyInd00
IRS990EZ/PrimaryExemptPurposeTxt0The Vicious Circle was founded in 2010 by Jerry Marsini, Meredith Lynsey Schade, and Tony Speciale to create, develop and produce new, ensemble-based works.
IRS990EZ/PrintingPublicationsPostageAmt0196
IRS990EZ/ProgramServiceRevenueAmt0419
IRS990EZ/ProgramSrvcAccomplishmentGrp/DescriptionProgramSrvcAccomTxt0In 2024, we provided development and workshop support for the new musical SALEM by Kira Stone. We also produced a number of readings of new plays written by Michael Weller.
IRS990EZ/ProgramSrvcAccomplishmentGrp/GrantsAndAllocationsAmt00
IRS990EZ/ProgramSrvcAccomplishmentGrp/ProgramServiceExpensesAmt039304
IRS990EZ/ProhibitedTaxShelterTransInd00
IRS990EZ/RelatedOrganizationCtrlEntInd00
IRS990EZ/SalariesOtherCompEmplBnftAmt055745
IRS990EZ/SaleOfAssetsGrossAmt00
IRS990EZ/ScheduleBNotRequiredInd0X
IRS990EZ/SchoolOperatingInd00
IRS990EZ/SpecialEventsDirectExpensesAmt00
IRS990EZ/SpecialEventsNetIncomeLossAmt00
IRS990EZ/StatesWhereCopyOfReturnIsFldCd0NY
IRS990EZ/SubjectToProxyTaxInd00
IRS990EZ/SumOfTotalLiabilitiesGrp/BOYAmt0124
IRS990EZ/SumOfTotalLiabilitiesGrp/EOYAmt01596
IRS990EZ/TanningServicesProvidedInd00
IRS990EZ/TaxImposedOnOrganizationMgrAmt00
IRS990EZ/TaxImposedUnderIRC4911Amt00
IRS990EZ/TaxImposedUnderIRC4912Amt00
IRS990EZ/TaxImposedUnderIRC4955Amt00
IRS990EZ/TaxReimbursedByOrganizationAmt00
IRS990EZ/TotalExpensesAmt092109
IRS990EZ/TotalProgramServiceExpensesAmt039304
IRS990EZ/TotalRevenueAmt087783
IRS990EZ/TransactionWithControlEntInd00
IRS990EZ/TrnsfrExmptNonChrtblRltdOrgInd00
IRS990EZ/TypeOfOrganizationCorpInd0X
IRS990EZ/WebsiteAddressTxt0wearevicious.org
IRS990ScheduleA/Form990ScheduleAPartVIGrp/ExplanationTxt0Co-Producing Income
IRS990ScheduleA/Form990ScheduleAPartVIGrp/FormAndLineReferenceDesc0Schedule A, Part II, Line 10
IRS990ScheduleA/GiftsGrantsContriRcvd170Grp/CurrentTaxYearAmt086130
IRS990ScheduleA/GiftsGrantsContriRcvd170Grp/CurrentTaxYearMinus1YearAmt040965
IRS990ScheduleA/GiftsGrantsContriRcvd170Grp/CurrentTaxYearMinus2YearsAmt011
IRS990ScheduleA/GiftsGrantsContriRcvd170Grp/CurrentTaxYearMinus3YearsAmt08005
IRS990ScheduleA/GiftsGrantsContriRcvd170Grp/CurrentTaxYearMinus4YearsAmt09513
IRS990ScheduleA/GiftsGrantsContriRcvd170Grp/TotalAmt0144624
IRS990ScheduleA/GrossInvestmentIncome170Grp/CurrentTaxYearAmt05
IRS990ScheduleA/GrossInvestmentIncome170Grp/TotalAmt05
IRS990ScheduleA/GrossReceiptsRltdActivitiesAmt086554
IRS990ScheduleA/OtherIncome170Grp/CurrentTaxYearAmt0419
IRS990ScheduleA/OtherIncome170Grp/TotalAmt0419
IRS990ScheduleA/PublicOrganization170Ind0X
IRS990ScheduleA/PublicSupportCY170Pct00.99708
IRS990ScheduleA/PublicSupportPY170Pct01
IRS990ScheduleA/PublicSupportTotal170Amt0144624
IRS990ScheduleA/ThirtyThrPctSuprtTestsPY170Ind0X
IRS990ScheduleA/TotalCalendarYear170Grp/CurrentTaxYearAmt086130
IRS990ScheduleA/TotalCalendarYear170Grp/CurrentTaxYearMinus1YearAmt040965
IRS990ScheduleA/TotalCalendarYear170Grp/CurrentTaxYearMinus2YearsAmt011
IRS990ScheduleA/TotalCalendarYear170Grp/CurrentTaxYearMinus3YearsAmt08005
IRS990ScheduleA/TotalCalendarYear170Grp/CurrentTaxYearMinus4YearsAmt09513
IRS990ScheduleA/TotalCalendarYear170Grp/TotalAmt0144624
IRS990ScheduleA/TotalSupportAmt0145048
IRS990ScheduleA/UnrelatedBusinessNetIncm170Grp/CurrentTaxYearAmt00
IRS990ScheduleA/UnrelatedBusinessNetIncm170Grp/TotalAmt00
IRS990ScheduleO/SupplementalInformationDetail/ExplanationTxt0Description;Amount^Write Off Debt;1229^Total;1229^
IRS990ScheduleO/SupplementalInformationDetail/ExplanationTxt1Description;Amount^Administrative Expenses;6646|Miscellaneous Expenses;106|Production Expenses;2582^Total;9334^
IRS990ScheduleO/SupplementalInformationDetail/ExplanationTxt2N/A
IRS990ScheduleO/SupplementalInformationDetail/ExplanationTxt3Description;EOY Amount^Bills Outstanding;1596^Total;1596^
IRS990ScheduleO/SupplementalInformationDetail/FormAndLineReferenceDesc0Form 990-EZ, Part I, Line 8
IRS990ScheduleO/SupplementalInformationDetail/FormAndLineReferenceDesc1Form 990-EZ, Part I, Line 16
IRS990ScheduleO/SupplementalInformationDetail/FormAndLineReferenceDesc2Form 990-EZ, Part I, Line 20
IRS990ScheduleO/SupplementalInformationDetail/FormAndLineReferenceDesc3Form 990-EZ, Part II, Line 26
ReasonableCauseExplanation/ExplanationTxt0We have used Quickbooks for Mac to manage our accounting for the past 15 years. The company no longer supports Quickbooks for Mac and, when we purchased a new computer, the new operating system was incompatible with Quickbooks, causing the software to crash repeatedly and corrupting the file. We had to rebuild our books for the past two years on a new software program, delaying our tax filing.
ReturnHeader/BuildTS02025-03-06 01:10:19Z
ReturnHeader/BusinessOfficerGrp/PersonNm0Meredith Schade
ReturnHeader/BusinessOfficerGrp/PersonTitleTxt0Founding Co-Director
ReturnHeader/BusinessOfficerGrp/PhoneNum09173280241
ReturnHeader/BusinessOfficerGrp/SignatureDt02025-10-15
ReturnHeader/Filer/BusinessName/BusinessNameLine1Txt0VICIOUS CIRCLE
ReturnHeader/Filer/BusinessNameControlTxt0VICI
ReturnHeader/Filer/EIN0272472272
ReturnHeader/Filer/PhoneNum09173280241
ReturnHeader/Filer/USAddress/AddressLine1Txt0407 Prospect Avenue
ReturnHeader/Filer/USAddress/CityNm0Brooklyn
ReturnHeader/Filer/USAddress/StateAbbreviationCd0NY
ReturnHeader/Filer/USAddress/ZIPCd011215
ReturnHeader/IRSResponsiblePrtyInfoCurrInd01
ReturnHeader/ReturnTs02025-10-22T13:00:01-07:00
ReturnHeader/ReturnTypeCd0990EZ
ReturnHeader/TaxPeriodBeginDt02024-06-01
ReturnHeader/TaxPeriodEndDt02025-05-31
ReturnHeader/TaxYr02024

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