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Community Music School Inc

EIN 22-2552861 · Centerbrook, CT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak43 out of 100GovernanceStrong97 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO FOSTER THE LOVE AND PURSUIT OF MUSIC THROUGH COMPREHENSIVE MUSIC EDUCATION FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS OF ALL AGES, ABILITIES, AND INCOME LEVELS.

Income
$707,308
Spending
$691,373
Spent on programs
75%
Reserves
-0.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 77%
Employees
35
Volunteers
30
Highest pay
$82,927, executive director

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

Weak: 43 out of 100. Higher than 12% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 61% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 7% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    75% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 40 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: 97 out of 100. Higher than 91% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 15 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

    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 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 (1)
  1. $517,527 spent. COMMUNITY MUSIC SCHOOL IS ONE OF THE LEADING PROVIDERS OF MUSIC EDUCATION AND ARTS PROGRAMMING IN THE CONNECTICUT VALLEY-SHORE REGION WITH AGE-APPROPRIATE PROGRAMS FOR STUDENTS AS YOUNG AS 6 MONTHS OLD TO SENIOR CITIZENS. WE SERVE OVER 700 STUDENTS ANNUALLY THROUGH PRIVATE INSTRUCTION, BEGINNER CLASSES, PERFORMING ENSEMBLES, EARLY CHILDHOOD MUSIC EDUCATION, MUSIC THERAPY, AND SUMMER PROGRAMS. IN ADDITION, WE PRESENT LIVE MUSICAL PERFORMANCES FOR THE ENJOYMENT OF THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE. COMMUNITY MUSIC SCHOOL IS A MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL GUILD FOR COMMUNITY ARTS EDUCATION AND SUBSCRIBES TO THE GUILD'S CODE OF BEST PRACTICES, WHICH DEMAND HIGH QUALITY, ACCESSIBILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY. TUITION ASSISTANCE IS PROVIDED THROUGH A SCHOLARSHIP FUND THAT RECEIVES ANNUAL CONTRIBUTIONS FROM INDIVIDUAL DONORS, FOUNDATIONS, AND LOCAL BUSINESSES.

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 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 June 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 December 1984.

    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.

  7. Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.

    A much larger organization has a similar name: Milken Community School (Los Angeles, CA), EIN 95-4381008. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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.