American Federation of Violin and Bow Makers Inc
Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.
What it says it does
THE AMERICAN FEDERATION OF VIOLIN AND BOW MAKERS WAS FOUNDED TO PROVIDE THE MUSICAL COMMUNITY WITH A STANDARD OF WORK AND EXPERTISE UPON WHICH THEY COULD DEPEND. THE FEDERATION'S MISSION IS TO ENHANCE THE PUBLIC'S UNDERSTANDING AND APPRECIATION OF THE VIOLIN AND BOW FAMILIES, AND OF RELATED AREAS OF EXPERTISE, INCLUDING THE MAKING OF NEW INSTRUMENTS, AS WELL AS CONSERVATION AND RESTORATION OF HISTORICAL AND MODERN INSTRUMENTS.THE ART OF VIOLIN AND BOW MAKING REPRESENTS A BODY OF KNOWLEDGE THAT HAS BEEN HANDED DOWN FOR CENTURIES FROM ONE GENERATION OT THE NEXT. THE MEMBERS OF THE FEDERATION ACTIVELY WORK TO CONTINUE THIS TRADITION THROUGH BIENNIAL MEETINGS, LECTURES AND SEMINARS, EXHIBITIONS, PUBLICATIONS, AND CONCERTS. THE FEDERATION HAS COMPLIED A PHOTOGRAPHIC ARCHIVE OF THE FINEST WORKS OF THE MASTERS OF THE CRAFT. THE ARCHIVE CONSTITUTES AN EXTENSIVE DATABASE THAT PROVIDES THE MEMBERSHIP WITH AN UNPRECEDENTED RESOURCE ON WHICH TO DRAW.
- Income
- $64,911
- Spending
- $88,359
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. 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)
- BIANNUAL MEETINGS HELD TO STUDY VIOLINS, VIOLAS, CELLOS OF HISTORIC VIOLIN MAKERS AND BOWS WITH APPROXIMATELY 150 MEMBERS ATTENDING. ANOTHER REASON FOR THE CONVENTION IS TO DEVELOP MEMBERS' KNOWLEDGE IN MAKING AND RESTORING OF STRING INSTRUMENTS; TO PROVIDE STANDARDS OF ETHICAL CONDUCT, AND TO AID VIOLIN MAKERS AND APPRENTICES TO DEVELOP INTO JOURNEYMAN MASTERS.
- CURRENT WORK UNDERWAY TO PUBLISH A BOOK ON THE HISTORY OF VIOLIN MAKING IN AMERICA. PUBLICATION IS EXPECTED TO BE IN THE COMING YEAR. THIS PROJECT STARTED IN 2006 UNDER THE NAME OF THE AMERICAN VIOLIN IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS.
- AN EDUCATIONAL PUBLIC FORUM IS ORGANIZED TO ENGAGE WITH THE LOCAL MUSICAL COMMUNITY AT THE "MAKERS MEET PLAYERS" VENUE. THIS GIVES PARTICIPATING MAKERS TO TALK TO MUSICIANS FOR FEEDBACK AND SHOW THEIR WORK. THIS IS AN ATTEMPT TO BREAK DOWN PRECONCEPTIONS ABOUT "OLD VS NEW".
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. 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)(6) business league.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Caution.
The IRS master file records contributions to this 501(c)(6) business league as not deductible.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since December 1987.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.