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David Hochstein Memorial Music School Inc

EIN 16-0768758 · Rochester, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong97 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The David Hochstein Memorial Music School, Inc. provides people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities with access to excellent music and dance education in a community that nurtures and encourages personal achievement.

Income
$4.5 million
Spending
$4.5 million
Spent on programs
75%
Reserves
12.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 53%
Employees
196
Volunteers
200
Highest pay
$135,981, executive director (through 9/24)

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

Strong: 97 out of 100. Higher than 89% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 12.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    75% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 16 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    28 of 28 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 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. $2.5 million spent. Music and Dance: 2,276 students aged infants to senior citizens were served in 36-week school year and 6-week summer sessions, taking weekly individual lessons, musicianship and dance classes, vocal and instrumental ensembles (chamber music, choirs, bands, jazz and rock combos, orchestras), to develop skills and knowledge in music and dance. Instruction took place either in person or virtually, as needed.
  2. $773,535 spent. Expressive Arts (1,697 total served): 155 clients were served throughout 36-week school year and 6-week summer sessions onsite and 1,542 clients in 45 program weeks at community sites; students from preschool to senior citizen ages participated in weekly individual music, dance, and/or art therapy sessions and/or group sessions, to develop cognitive, physical, social, and emotional skills contributing to their independence and quality of life. Clients were served either in person or virtually, as needed.
  3. $110,948 spent. ROCmusic: From 2024-2025, the ROCmusic program, a collaborative of The Hochstein School, Eastman School, Eastman Community Music School, City of Rochester, Rochester City School District, Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, served 224 City of Rochester student residents in grades 1-12 through summer and school year programming. In the summer, ROCmusic held several "music exploration" weeks for students in the community at three different City locations. During the school year, ROCmusic provided free after school instrumental music instruction at four different recreation centers in Rochester, 36 opportunities for students to perform in the community, and access to numerous arts and cultural events in the area. (Continued on Schedule O) Classes include instruction on string, brass, and rhythm section instruments. Hochstein serves as the fiscal agent for the ROCmusic collaborative.

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 February 1962.

    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.