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47 Palmer Inc

EIN 04-3255365 · Cambridge, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair52 out of 100GovernanceStrong93 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

See Page 1, Part I

Income
$2.3 million
Spending
$2.4 million
Spent on programs
77%
Reserves
0.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 65%
Employees
56
Volunteers
0

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 52 out of 100. Higher than 23% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 36% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 7% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    77% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 20 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 56% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 14 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

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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.

  • 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 June 30, 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. $1.6 million spent. Club Passim - See Schedule OClub PassimClub Passim put on 366 concerts during fiscal year 2025, conducted in the club and via livestream. In a typical year, in addition to our regular concerts, we hold a variety of special concerts, including our annual Celtic Music Festival. We help develop emerging artists by offering them the opportunity to perform to smaller audiences and opening for better-known musicians. A major vehicle for this is through our weekly open-mic, which we reinstituted in June 2014. At open mic, any musician is welcome to play several songs on our stage. We also typically hold 2 weekend-music festivals ("Campfire Festivals") on the Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends that provide an opportunity for lesser-known artists to play. Our audience typically ranges in age from 25-65 and comes mainly from metropolitan Boston.
  2. $143,444 spent. Education - See Schedule OEducationEducation - Passim School of MusicFrom July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025, the Passim School of Music served 746 students through 144 classes, voice lessons, and workshops. The intimate, inclusive environment is specially designed to foster a sense of community across students and instructors. Master classes and workshops give students an opportunity to work closely with their favorite artists and to learn specific techniques from the masters. The School is for adults and does not award degrees or certificates.Education - Iguana Music FundThe Fund, originated in 2009, gives grants to New England-based artists to help develop their careers or assist their community-service efforts. In general, between 250-300 musicians apply and between 20 and 30 receive grants. Passim holds an annual spring celebration of these artists at its Club, where grant recipients perform. Those unable to be present usually send videos that are played to the audience. Artists are generally in their 20s or 30s and while many come from or have roots in the Boston area, they all have a strong New England connection. Two grantees were Grammy nominees in prior years.
  3. $59,387 spent. Outreach - See Schedule OOutreachPassim presents artists in the community as part of its Outreach Program. Each summer we present a series of free outdoor weekly concerts in Harvard Square and Kendall Square. In addition, we have stages at the Harvard Square Business Association's Mayfair and Oktoberfest festivals.We also hold or cohost 5 different festivals during the year. These include campfire (TM)(previously mentioned), the Passim Bluegrass Festival, Harvard Square Folk Festival, New England Americana Festival, and BCMFest (Boston's Celtic Music Festival). The latter is the premier presenter of Boston-based Irish, Scottish & Cape Breton music. The festival encourages collaboration across the Celtic spectrum, along with encouraging both traditional and new interpretations of the music. All of these events serve the general public at large.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

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

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

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since June 1996.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.