Skipp Pearson Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The Skipp Pearson Foundation/Skipp Pearson Jazz Foundation was created to preserve America's rich jazz music heritage and to foster a greater appreciation of live jazz music performances for generations to discover and enjoy. Seventy-five per cent of our annual income is spent on educational program content. The "global" pandemic of 2020-2023 made it impossible to present in-person programming of any kind. The Foundation was fortunate to be able to create a series of virtual programs that produced unique content and launched the organization into the "digital age".
- Income
- $51,000
- Spending
- $52,000
- Reserves
- 0.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 59%
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 46 out of 100. Higher than 17% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).
Reserves
4 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 0.2 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 2% of income.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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, 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 (5)
- Suspended until 2026. Educational programming in celebration of National Jazz Appreciation Month. Multi-layered public education project that provides a forum for arts organizations from various disciplines to work in partnership. Educational programming done under the project known as International Jazz Day in South Carolina. Note, as the Foundation was unable to fund raise due to a greatly diminished operating budget all efforts were placed on this education program. Even with great hardship and in the face of the current "global" pandemic the Foundation managed to provide a full day of virtual FREE admission programming to all ages. There was a particular focus on elementary school students.
- Closed Le Cafe Jazz the public arts-in-education project created by the Skipp Pearson Jazz Foundation to expand its stated mission iw temporarily without a performance space. Le Cafe Jazz will return Fall 2027.Annually Le Cafe Jazz offers a weekly music program designed to provide public education programs to further the Foundation's mission to foster a greater appreciation of Jazz Music. Le Cafe Jazz is designed to be a listening venue.
- Suspended until 2027. Jazz on the Road was created to act as the Skipp Pearson Jazz Foundation's mobile educational division used to promote and support the Foundation's primary mission; to foster a greater appreciation of live jazz music performances. The Foundation seeks to offer a minimum of twenty-five FREE admission performances per year. Note, COVID-19 and the Federal and State mandated closer throughout 2020 through 2022 made it unsafe to facilitate this program.
- South Carolina's Great Flood of October 2015 left the Skipp Pearson Jazz Foundation's listening venue damaged. Through the offering of the Small Business Administration the Foundation was able to secure a loan to aid in restoration of personal property. Throughout 2016 through 2021 the Foundation continued to repair its damaged facility and return to its regular music education programming on a limited basis. Note, the effect of Tropical Hurricane Florence, Matthew and Maria and four others have prevented the Foundation from accomplishing the recovery goals previously established. COVID-19 has made it necessary to extend the time-line to re-open all projects and program. Projected date is Spring 2027.
- SVOG award allowed the Foundation use the down time to revamp all areas of its technology, retrain staff, retool equipment supplies and take on the digital age of Ai education. More time is needed. Expected date 9/2026.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. 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)(3) charitable organization.
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? 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.
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 September 2008.
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.