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South Shore Conservatory of Music Inc

EIN 04-2470761 · Hingham, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak25 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF SOUTH SHORE CONSERVATORY IS TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO EXCEPTIONAL ARTS EDUCATION AND PERFORMANCE FOR THE SOUTH SHORE COMMUNITY, FOSTERING CREATIVITY, ARTISTIC GROWTH, AND WELL-BEING FOR INDIVIDUALS OF ALL AGES AND ABILITIES. WITH CAMPUSES IN HINGHAM AND DUXBURY, SSC'S ARTS-BASED EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS PROVIDE A CREATIVE PATH FOR A LIFETIME OF LEARNING, FROM CHILDHOOD THROUGH ADULTHOOD, THROUGH OUTSTANDING FACULTY AND NATIONALLY CELEBRATED PROGRAMMING IN MUSIC INSTRUCTION, ENSEMBLES, DANCE, EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION, CREATIVE ARTS THERAPY, PERFORMANCE, COMMUNITY AND SCHOOL PARTNERSHIPS.

Income
$3.8 million
Spending
$5.1 million
Spent on programs
70%
Reserves
-7.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 76%
Employees
108
Volunteers
48
Highest pay
$167,107, president (until 05/25)

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

Weak: 25 out of 100. Higher than 2% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

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

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 63% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 35% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 12% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    70% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 20 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. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    16 of 18 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 (3)
  1. $3.2 million spent. PRIVATE LESSONS, GROUP CLASSES, AND ENSEMBLES ARE OFFERED FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS OF ALL AGES AND ABILITIES, IN A WIDE RANGE OF INSTRUMENTS AND GENRES, WITH ROLLING ADMISSIONS YEAR-ROUND. EARLY CHILDHOOD OFFERINGS INCLUDE AN ARTS-INTEGRATED PRESCHOOL/PREK/KINDERGARTEN PROGRAM, ON THE CONSERVATORY'S HINGHAM CAMPUS.
  2. $240,427 spent. COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS CREATE ACCESS BY PROVIDING MUSIC EDUCATION, CREATIVE ARTS THERAPIES, AND PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH ON AND OFF CAMPUS COLLABORATIONS WITH SCHOOLS, SENIOR CENTERS, AND SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES.
  3. $138,150 spent. CONCERT AND FESTIVAL PROGRAMS SUCH AS DUXBURY MUSIC FESTIVAL, PREMIERE CONCERTS INCLUDING EVENINGS UNDER THE STARS, AND SUMMER MUSIC FESTIVAL EXIST AT THE INTERSECTION OF ARTS EDUCATION AND PERFORMANCE, BRINGING TOGETHER FACULTY, STUDENTS, ALUMNI, AND GUEST ARTISTS.

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 November 6, 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 September 1971.

    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 November 4, 2026.

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