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The Music Education Group Inc

EIN 20-1512362 · Atlanta, GA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak44 out of 100GovernanceGood71 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The Music Education Group, Inc, is dedicated to fostering life skills and advancing career development by leveraging the creative avenues of music, film, digital media, and screen printing to serve aspiring artists and creators.

Income
$289,733
Spending
$403,837
Spent on programs
55%
Reserves
4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 50%
Employees
8
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$48,000, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 44 out of 100. Higher than 13% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 16% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 39% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 42% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    55% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 71 out of 100. Higher than 47% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 15 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 December 31, 2024, 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 (6)
  1. $54,209 spent. Dunbar Studio: The Dunbar Multimedia & Technology Center is a joint partnership between Music Education Group, and the City of Atlanta's Department of Parks and Recreation. It is a full service, HD Multimedia and Technology Center which serves as a training facility focused on careers in audio technology and production. Additional programs were hosted at Grant Park, Bessie Branham Park, Adams Park, William Walker Park, and Thomasville Recreation Center. 130 students were served by this program.
  2. $52,476 spent. Rico Wade Executive Training: This program aims to equip participants with the skills and insights necessary to kickstart a successful career in the music business, focusing on key areas influenced by Atlanta's vibrant creative community. There were 23 student participants.
  3. $58,078 spent. Health Resources in Action (HRIA): The purposes of this grant is to provide career exploration, job training and violence prevention and reduction wrap around services for at-risk youth in high-risk neighborhoods. The funding focuses on youth ages 16-24 located in the NPU-V communities including, Mechanicsville, Pittsburgh, Peoplestown, Summerhill, Adair Park and Capitol Gateway. Our target is to serve 17 young people
  4. $33,532 spent. Save the Music Foundation: MEG has partnered with the Save the Music Foundation, one of the leading music foundations in the United States. Celebrating 25 years of service, Save the Music Foundation's mission is to help students, schools and communities reach their full potential through the power of making music. Our partnership currently operates "J. Dilla" branded studios in five high schools and three middle schools in metro Atlanta. Together these programs allow us access to more than 54,000 students and 3,800 faculty and staff. (300 students)
  5. $13,375 spent. City of Fairburn: More to Music Initiative: A unique music after school program exposing teens to the business of music and related careers. The program takes music education to the next level by giving student participants an innovative and unique opportunity to gain first hand experience inside the music, film and digital media industries. Our services were provided in an after school environment. (15 students)
  6. $10,573 spent. Community Initiative Outreach Program - Support for community during the holidays

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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? Worth knowing.

    Status was revoked on May 15, 2010 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on May 15, 2010.

    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 December 2024.

    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 September 2011.

    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.