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Society for Preservation & Encourmt of Barbershop Quartet Singing Amer

EIN 22-6079249 · Fairfax, VA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceGood81 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The 1700 artist/members of the Mid-Atlantic District of the Barbershop Harmony Society bring joy to the lives of those we touch. The District brings together people of all ages and experience, cultivates extraordinary singing and showmanship, promotes fellowship and camaraderie, and makes a difference in people's lives. Through public performance, vocal instruction, support of music education at all age levels in communities from New York to Virginia, we are making the music that's making a difference.

Income
$219,190
Spending
$197,796
Spent on programs
95%
Reserves
12.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 86%
Employees
0
Volunteers
160

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

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 85% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 12.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 10% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 20% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    95% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 cents.

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

Governance

Good: 81 out of 100. Higher than 73% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 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.

  • 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, 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 (4)
  1. $92,929 spent. Music Programs: The Mid-Atlantic District produces three to four conventions every year, where District chapter choruses and registered quartets compete to qualify for District honors and to compete at annual international conventions. In 2025 around 1100 friends, family and fans attended these conventions. The District qualified five choruses and 12 quartets for international competition. Contests are adjudicated by certified judges who donate their time and effort to evaluate the artists and help them improve their artistry. After the contest, the judges provide feedback and coaching to the competitors, which is a significant component of the contest experience.
  2. $89,913 spent. Music Education: Dozens of highly qualified volunteers conduct educational programs targeted at all age levels. The largest program, Harmony College East (HCE), offering more than 40 classes and seminars during a 3-day weekend event attended by more than 200 men and women of all ages. Students, including music educators, directors, arrangers and enthusiasts, learn singing, quarteting, composition, arranging, show production and directors sharpen their directing skills. This year, twelve HCE full scholarships were provided to music educators. Partial scholarships were provided to six high achieving quartets preparing for the BHS International Convention. Coaching support was provided through the year to quartets and chapter choruses through a grant program that offsets a portion of the coach's expenses. The District has a strong youth barbershop program that encourages youth quartets and ensembles through music educator engagement, coaching and Youth Adjudications. For 2025, the District provided support for 5 youth harmony events. The District also provided 3 activity grants to support Chapter activities.
  3. $4,100 spent. Competitor Support: The District supports its high-achieving quartets and choruses that compete at the international level. In 2025 the District provided $4,100 to 5 chorus and 14 quartets.
  4. $798 spent. Leadership Education: In addition to music education, the District provides management and leadership training to chapter and District leadership. The training sessions provide chapter leaders with the latest information and thinking on chapter management. Many sessions have now been recorded and are available on-line. The District also sends its leadership to the annual Society leadership forum that trains and cultivates future leaders in leadership skills, understanding of mission/vision, planning, program prioritization and best practices that will support chapters, choruses and quartets in our District.

Source: Form 990 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Worth knowing.

    Not individually listed by the IRS as eligible, which is usual for local chapters covered by a parent organization's exemption. The master file records contributions to it as deductible.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since May 1946.

    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.