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Passes our checks

Music That Matters Inc

EIN 20-8883546 · Appleton, WI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair51 out of 100GovernanceFair67 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROVIDE A BROADCAST PLATFORM ON A RADIO STATION KNOWN AS "THE AVENUE" FOR CHARITABLE CAUSES ESPECIALLY THOSE DEVOTED TO HELPING BASIC HUMAN NEEDS AND OTHER NON-PROFIT COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS 501(C)(3) AS OUTLINED IN THE CORPORATE BYLAWS. THE AVENUE'S MISSION IS TO PROMOTE THE MESSAGE OF THESE NON-PROFITS AND CHARIABLE CAUSES TO THE PUBLIC SO THAT THE PUBLIC CAN IN TURN PROVIDE FINANCIAL AS WELL AS OTHER SUPPORT TO THEM. THE COMPANY WILL PROVIDE THESE MESSAGES TOGETHER WITH THE UNIQUE MIX OF MUSIC, TO ATTRACT A PASSIONATE LISTENER GROUP WHO WILL IN TURN HOPEFULLY SUPPORT THESE LOCAL NON-PROFITS AND BASIC NEEDS CAUSES.

Income
$745,875
Spending
$926,696
Spent on programs
66%
Reserves
9.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 54%
Employees
7
Highest pay
$118,203, executive di

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

Fair: 51 out of 100. Higher than 20% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 9.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 39% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 24% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 19% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    66% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 41 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

Fair: 67 out of 100. Higher than 43% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 6 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no 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

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • 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 (1)
  1. $609,332 spent. THE TAX EXEMPT PURPOSE OF MUSIC THAT MATTERS, INC. IS TO OWN AND OPERATE A RADIO STATION FOR THE EXPRESS PURPOSE OF PROVIDING ON-AIR RADIO BROADCASTS THAT BENEFIT QUALIFIED COMMUNITY NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS AND/OR OTHER LOCAL CHARITABLE CAUSES, ESPECIALLY THOSE THAT BENEFIT BASIC HUMAN NEEDS. IN SO DOING, THE COMPANY WILL PROVIDE A VOICE AND PRESENCE THROUGH BROADCAST MENTIONS OF THESE NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS AND CHARITABLE CAUSES SO THE BROADCASTS CAN BRING THEIR MESSAGE TO THE LISTENING AUDIENCE. MUSIC THAT MATTERS, INC. WILL PROVIDE THESE MESSAGES TOGETHER WITH THE UNIQUE MIX OF MUSIC TO ATTRACT A PASSIONATE LISTENER GROUP WHO IN TURN SUPPORT THESE LOCAL NONPROFITS.

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 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 2024.

    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 August 2008.

    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.