Charleston Academy of Music
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The Charleston Academy of Music is committed to providing access to exceptional music education, performance and community outreach to all, regardless of age, skill, gender, ethnicity or income.
- Income
- $513,398
- Spending
- $478,516
- Spent on programs
- 78%
- Reserves
- 3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 79%
- Employees
- 3
- Volunteers
- 70
- Highest pay
- $62,264, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 63 out of 100. Higher than 32% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 3.0 months of spending.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 37% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 7% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 5% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1578% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 41 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 76 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
18 of 254 of 4 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (1)
- $372,947 spent. The Academic Program provides a complete music education of the highest quality to prepare students for professional careers as musicians, music educators, and lifelong advocates of classical music. Students of the Academic Program may choose to receive musical instruction in piano, jazz piano, voice, violin, viola, organ, trumpet, cello, classical guitar, jazz guitar, flute, clarinet, saxophone, and harp. Musical instruction includes private lessons and various classes, such as Theory, Ear Training, Composition, Masterclasses and Performance Classes, as well as String Ensembles and Guitar Orchestra. All students will have many performance opportunities throughout each semester.The program has approximately 250 students drawn from the local area. The program was conducted by 22 experienced music teachers and divided into Fall and Spring semester with the optional summer semester. The length of the program is generally 30 weeks lessons and classes. The Academy's early childhood music program continued to implement the world-renowned Music Together method in which groups of mixed-age students (0-5 years old) are led by a specially trained teacher to develop children's natural musical instincts and skills necessary for the later study of instrument or voice. These classes are structured in three 10-week semesters and are offered at both downtown and Mt. Pleasant locations. In March 2025 Charleston Academy of Music has purchased the space for operating in the North Mount Pleasant area, and is planning to transfer the current rented space to the new location in July 2027The Suzuki program for 4-year-old string players has grown to consistent weekly lessons and group classes as more students enrolled. Theory and Composition Classes have continued in online format. These are open to all students who are encouraged to attend one of these two theory classes: Theory and Ear Training - This class is a fun and interactiveclass suitable for beginners and intermediate level. Students of all instruments, including voice. No previous experience is necessary for the beginner level class; students move to intermediate level based oninstructor's recommendation. Composition and Songwriting - This class is for the students to learn to utilize their musical knowledge and instrumental skills to produce their own compositions. To attend this class, note reading ability and basic theory knowledge are required. Scholarship Program: The organization's scholarship program is designed for students who are seriously committed to the musical training. The scholarships are divided into merit based and financial need-based awards.Students can apply for the program by filling out required paperwork, write a personal statement, and provide a letter of recommendation from a teacher. Applicants must audition and/or pass interview to be consideredfor an award. Upon the receipt of the scholarship, students sign the contract committing to certain hours of practice, regular lesson and concert attendance, and volunteer hours.Terranova Piano Trio: this ensemble consists of the core violin, piano, and cello faculty members and functions as Academy's trademark of excellent professional performing. It serves two purposes: inspire students and deliver classical music to our community. Terranova performs public concerts and conducts outreach concerts in public schools to help local music teachers enhance their curriculum.The Eclipse Ensemble of CAM (formerly the New Music Ensemble) is a group of Charleston Academy of Music faculty that specializes in a wide spectrum of classical music from the last 100 years, including conventional avant-garde art music, concert music from nontraditional sources (musical theatre, cabaret, historical and contemporary media), and music influenced by a variety of cultures and nationalities. It is instrumental in diversifying Charleston's music culture.Academy's popular concert series Rush Hour Concerts have continued with its 10th season. These concerts showcase the talented faculty of the Academy, with occasional guest artists, in an hour-long program. The series aim to make classical music more accessible to the community, perfect for all ages to attend in the early evening before heading home. Concerts are free and open to the public.The annual Charleston Sonatina Festival launched by the Academy in 2019 held its 5th run. The festival provides piano students and composers with an opportunity to explore and expand their skills in the Sonata/Sonatina genre, as well as to perform in a welcoming yet competitive environment. The abundance of sonatinas and sonatas in various levels and styles makes these pieces the ideal manifestation of musical breadth, thus allowing every aspiring pianist to experience complete musicianship. Charleston-area students are invited to participate in the festival in two areas: Piano Performance and Composition. Students are welcome to take part in one or both areas. Students in the Performance area audition with a movement of a sonatina or sonata, demonstrate technical requirements related to the key of their performed piece, and answer questions related to their piece and "sonata form". Students in the Composition area create a musical composition for solo piano and submit their work (along with a short-written explanation) for consideration by a professional panel.The Charleston Academy of Music continued its partnership with the Meeting Street Academy to offer the Kidzymphony program. Students in grades 2 through 5 received string instruments and were instructed twice a week by Academy's faculty to learn violin, viola, and cello in orchestra setting during school and after school hours. Classes were free of charge to the families and took place during school and after school hours. The program culminated in a successful school-wide performance in May. Additionally, this year the program added a keyboard class to broaden music education for the students in the afterschool pr
Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending July 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since January 2003.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.
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