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Music and Youth Initiative Inc

EIN 20-2767066 · Needham, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood79 out of 100GovernanceNot ratedThe short tax form does not cover thisImpact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WE BELIEVE THAT EVERY YOUNG PERSON SHOULD HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPERIENCE THE MAGIC OF MUSIC.

Income
$55,493
Spending
$243,668
Reserves
19.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 67%

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 79 out of 100. Higher than 55% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 19.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 339% of income.

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. 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, 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 (1)
  1. $236,394 spent. MUSIC AND YOUTH INITIATIVE WAS FOUNDED IN 2005 TO PARTNER WITH YOUTH DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATIONS SERVING UNDER-RESOURCED URBAN COMMUNITIES. WE PROVIDE EACH PARTNER WITH MULTI-YEAR FUNDING, EQUIPMENT GRANTS, AND EXTENSIVE PROGRAM SUPPORT TO HELP THEM CREATE AND SUSTAIN A "MUSIC CLUBHOUSE", WHICH THEY INTEGRATE INTO THEIR OVERALL PROGRAM OFFERINGS. WE ALSO PROVIDE FUNDING AND PROGRAM SUPPORT FOR "CATALYST GRANTS" FOR NEW OR EXISTING INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS THAT USE MUSIC AS A VEHICLE FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT FOR ORGANIZATIONS THAT MAY NOT HAVE THE SPACE OR STAFFING REQUIRED FOR A MUSIC CLUBHOUSE. WE SUPPORT AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS FOCUSED ON TWEENS AND TEENS, DESIGNED TO BE SAFE PLACES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TO NOT ONLY EXPLORE THEIR MUSICAL INTERESTS, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY USE MUSIC AS A VEHICLE TO UNDERSTAND AND EXPRESS THEIR THOUGHTS AND EMOTIONS, AND DEVELOP LIFE SKILLS AS THEY MOVE TOWARD ADULTHOOD. THESE PROGRAMS ARE LED BY A PROFESSIONAL MUSICAL STAFF WITH STRONG YOUTH DEVELOPMENT SKILLS WHO ARE DEDICATED TO HELPING ALL PARTICIPANTS FIND THEIR VOICE. THE PROGRAMS ARE INTENTIONALLY SELF-DIRECTED, ENCOURAGING TEENS TO PLAY THE MUSIC THEY ARE INTERESTED IN AND SUPPORTING THEIR EFFORTS TO LEARN AS MUCH MUSICALLY AS THEY DESIRE. IN ADDITION TO A WIDE ARRAY OF INSTRUMENTS SUCH AS GUITARS, DRUMS, AND KEYBOARDS AS WELL AS WITH STATE OF-THE ART RECORDING HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE TO ATTRACT TODAY'S TEENS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN WRITING AND PRODUCING THEIR OWN MUSIC.

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 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 October 13, 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 December 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 March 2006.

    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 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.