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Manchester Community Music School

EIN 02-0376586 · Manchester, NH

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair50 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Only 44% of its spending went to programs.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

TO CHANGE LIVES THROUGH THE POWER OF LEARNING, SHARING AND MAKING MUSIC. TO PROVIDE INSTRUCTION AND PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE AMATEUR, ASPIRING AND PROFESSIONAL MUSICIAN. TO PROVIDE MUSIC THERAPY SERVICES TO INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES.

Income
$2.8 million
Spending
$1.4 million
Spent on programs
44%
Reserves
-2.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 68%
Employees
78
Volunteers
12
Highest pay
$85,304, executive di

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 50 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 10% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 52% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    44% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 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 (5)
  1. $430,801 spent. INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAMS - PRIVATE LESSON INSTRUCTION IS AVAILABLE YEAR ROUND INCLUDING A 34-WEEK ACADEMIC SESSION, A 1-8 WEEK SUMMER SESSION, AND FALL AND SPRING SESSIONS OF 17 WEEKS EACH. ADDITIONAL OFFERINGS INCLUDE GROUP INSTRUCTION, CLASSES, AND CAMPS. MCMS OFFERS INSTRUCTION ON ALL MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS, VOICE AND TECHNOLOGY TO OVER 1,500 STUDENTS EACH YEAR BOTH IN-HOUSE AND THROUGH COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS - WITHOUT REGARD TO AGE, ABILITY, RACE, SEX OR ABILITY TO PAY. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IS OFFERED TO THOSE UNABLE TO PAY FULL TUITION.
  2. $119,270 spent. MUSIC THERAPY - MUSIC THERAPY IS AN ESTABLISHED, EVIDENCE-BASED HEALTH PROFESSION IN WHICH MUSIC IS USED WITHIN A THERAPEUTIC RELATIONSHIP TO ADDRESS PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL, COGNITIVE, AND SOCIAL NEEDS OF INDIVIDUALS. MCMS MUSIC THERAPISTS PROVIDE SERVICES TO INDIVIDUALS WITH AUTISM, DEVELOPMENTAL DELAYS, PHYSICAL OR LEARNING DISABILITIES, MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS, TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURIES, AND OTHER SPECIAL NEEDS. SERVICES ARE PROVIDED TO APPROXIMATELY 250 CHILDREN, TEENS AND ADULTS EACH WEEK, BOTH IN-HOUSE AND OFF-SITE THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS WITH PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS, HOSPITALS, SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES, RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES AND OTHER NON- PROFIT COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAMS. SESSIONS TAKE PLACE ONE-TO-ONE, DYADS (2 CLIENTS), AND GROUP SETTINGS DEPENDING ON INDIVIDUAL NEEDS.
  3. $18,797 spent. OUTREACH PROGRAMMING - OUTREACH PROGRAMMING AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS ARE AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE MUSIC SCHOOL MISSION. THESE RELATIONSHIPS ARE MEANINGFUL BECAUSE THEY PROVIDE US THE OPPORTUNITY TO BRING OUR MUSIC THERAPY SERVICES AND MUSIC EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES DIRECTLY INTO UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES MAKING THEM ACCESSIBLE TO OUR MOST AT-RISK YOUTH. MCMS OUTREACH PROGRAMMING HAS GROWN SUBSTANTIALLY OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS, SOME OF OUR OUTREACH PARTNERS INCLUDE: THE BOYS & GIRLS CLUB, GRANITE YMCA, YWCA/CENTER FOR NEW AMERICANS, MPAL, 21ST CENTURY COMMUNITY LEARNING CENTERS, THE MOORE CENTER, PLUS COMPANY, CATHOLIC MEDICAL CENTER, SOUTHERN NEW HAMPSHIRE SERVICES - HEAD START, 8 NEW HAMPSHIRE SCHOOL DISTRICTS, NEW MORNING SCHOOL, RIVERWOODS MANCHESTER RETIREMENT HOME AND OTHER LIFELONG LEARNING INSTITUTE. OUTREACH PROGRAMMING - OUTREACH PROGRAMMING AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS ARE AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE MUSIC SCHOOL MISSION. THESE RELATIONSHIPS ARE MEANINGFUL BECAUSE THEY PROVIDE US THE OPPORTUNITY TO BRING OUR MUSIC THERAPY SERVICES AND MUSIC EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES DIRECTLY INTO UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES MAKING THEM ACCESSIBLE TO OUR MOST AT-RISK YOUTH. MCMS OUTREACH PROGRAMMING HAS GROWN SUBSTANTIALLY OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS, SOME OF OUR OUTREACH PARTNERS INCLUDE: THE BOYS & GIRLS CLUB, GRANITE YMCA, YWCA/CENTER FOR NEW AMERICANS, MPAL, 21ST CENTURY COMMUNITY LEARNING CENTERS, THE MOORE CENTER, PLUS COMPANY, CATHOLIC MEDICAL CENTER, SOUTHERN NEW HAMPSHIRE SERVICES - HEAD START, 8 NEW HAMPSHIRE SCHOOL DISTRICTS, NEW MORNING SCHOOL, RIVERWOODS MANCHESTER RETIREMENT HOME AND OTHER LIFELONG LEARNING INSTITUTE.
  4. $31,427 spent. NH YOUTH ENSEMBLES - THE NEW HAMPSHIRE YOUTH ENSEMBLE PROGRAM IS THE LARGEST YOUTH ENSEMBLE PROGRAM NORTH OF BOSTON. IT IS COMPRISED OF THREE ORCHESTRAS, WIND ENSEMBLE, JAZZ ENSEMBLE AND AN HONORS BRASS ENSEMBLE. ENSEMBLES TAKE PLACE DURING THE ACADEMIC YEAR AND ARE OPEN TO STUDENTS FROM 8 - 18, MORE THAN 100 STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN THESE ENSEMBLES. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IS AVAILABLE FOR THOSE UNABLE TO PAY FULL TUITION.
  5. NH YOUTH ENSEMBLES - THE NEW HAMPSHIRE YOUTH ENSEMBLE PROGRAM IS THE LARGEST YOUTH ENSEMBLE PROGRAM NORTH OF BOSTON. IT IS COMPRISED OF THREE ORCHESTRAS, WIND ENSEMBLE, JAZZ ENSEMBLE AND AN HONORS BRASS ENSEMBLE. ENSEMBLES TAKE PLACE DURING THE ACADEMIC YEAR AND ARE OPEN TO STUDENTS FROM 8 - 18, MORE THAN 100 STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN THESE ENSEMBLES. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IS AVAILABLE FOR THOSE UNABLE TO PAY FULL TUITION.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. 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 October 13, 2026.

  2. 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 October 13, 2026.

  3. 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 October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending August 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since July 1984.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. 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 21, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.