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Academy of Vocal Arts

EIN 23-1352001 · Philadelphia, PA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF THE ACADEMY OF VOCAL ARTS (AVA) IS TO BE THE WORLD'S PREMIER INSTITUTION FOR TRAINING YOUNG ARTISTS AS INTERNATIONAL OPERA SINGERS. THROUGH RIGOROUS INSTRUCTION AND COACHING, AND BY PRESENTATIONS OF RESIDENT ARTISTS FROM AROUND THE WORLD IN FULLY

Income
$4.7 million
Spending
$4.5 million
Spent on programs
73%
Reserves
43.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 63%
Employees
112
Volunteers
32
Highest pay
$190,161, president/artistic 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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 43.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 27% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    73% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 15 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: 95 out of 100. Higher than 62% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    29 of 29 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • 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. $3.3 million spent. ADMISSION INTO AVA'S FOUR-YEAR PROGRAM IS DETERMINED BY HIGHLY COMPETITIVE ANNUAL AUDITIONS. THOSE WHO ARE ACCEPTED RECEIVE TUITION-FREE INTENSIVE TRAINING.(CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O.)THE ACADEMY OF VOCAL ARTS PRESENTED FULL OPERA PRODUCTIONS, RECITALS, AND EVENTS IN THE 2024-25 AVA OPERA THEATRE SEASON. OCTOBER'S NEW ARTISTS RECITAL, WHERE FIRST-YEAR RESIDENT ARTISTS WERE INTRODUCED, STARTED THE SEASON FOLLOWED AGAIN BY THE ANNUAL GIARGIARI BEL CANTO COMPETITION. THE SEASON OFFICIALLY OPENED WITH GOUNOD'SFAUST. JANUARY SAW TWO PERFORMANCES OF JUBILATE!, OUR POPULAR ANNUAL CONCERT OF SACRED MUSIC. THE WINTER OPERA WAS MOZART'S COSI FAN TUTTE. THIS YEAR'S HIGHLIGHT WAS OUR 90TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION AND GALA, BRAVA PHILADELPHIA! HELD AT THE KIMMEL CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS IN MARCH. THE SEASON CONCLUDED WITH MASCAGNI'S L'AMICO FRITZ AND THE ANNUAL FAREWELL RECITAL AND GRADUATION.

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 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? 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since May 1938.

    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.