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Reading Musical Foundation

EIN 23-1472487 · Reading, PA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong95 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO ADVANCE AND ADVOCATE FOR MUSIC EDUCATION AND APPRECIATION IN BERKS COUNTY.

Income
$1.5 million
Spending
$1.1 million
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 52%
Employees
4
Volunteers
25
Highest pay
$117,818, president

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

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 87% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 25% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 0% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    83% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    18 of 18 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

    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 (3)
  1. $262,849 spent. STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS - THE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM PROVIDES FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO COMMITTED BERKS COUNTY MUSIC STUDENTS WHO AUDITION ON MERIT OR DEMONSTRATE FINANCIAL NEED. SCHOLARSHIPS ARE AVAILABLE FOR PIANO, ORGAN, WOODWIND, BRASS, PERCUSSION, STRING, HARP, GUITAR AND VOCAL STUDENTS, AS WELL AS AWARDS FOR COLLEGE TUITION. FINANCIAL NEED-BASED SCHOLARSHIPS SUPPORT SUMMER CAMP PARTICIPATION, PRIVATE MUSIC STUDY, AND INSTRUMENT UPGRADE REQUESTS.
  2. $582,692 spent. RMF PROVIDES GRANTS TO MUSIC-PRESENTING ORGANIZATIONS AND SPECIAL PROJECTS THAT STRENGTHEN BERKS COUNTY'S CULTURAL LIFE. FUNDING IS AWARDED BASED ON EACH ORGANIZATION'S ABILITY TO ADVANCE RMF'S MISSION OF INSPIRING, NURTURING, AND SUSTAINING A VIBRANT MUSICAL COMMUNITY. IN 2024, RMF SUPPORTED 24 LOCAL ENSEMBLES AND EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVES THROUGH PROGRAM GRANTS, UNDERWRITING PERFORMANCES, RESIDENCIES, AND MUSIC EDUCATION EXPERIENCES THROUGHOUT THE REGION.
  3. $99,206 spent. RMF SHARES THE MUSICAL EXPERIENCE WITH MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY WHO MAY NOT OTHERWISE HAVE ACCESS TO MUSIC EDUCATION OR PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES. PROGRAMS INCLUDE OPERATION REPLAY (INSTRUMENT RECYCLING AND LOAN PROGRAM), MUSIC IN THE SCHOOLS ASSEMBLIES, AFTER-SCHOOL MUSIC INSTRUCTION IN READING AND OLIVET BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS, THE LATIN MUSIC AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM, AND THE DIGITAL MUSIC LAB INITIATIVE. COLLECTIVELY, RMF PROVIDES MORE THAN 15 HOURS PER WEEK OF FREE AFTER-SCHOOL MUSIC EDUCATION AND WORKSHOPS FOR K-12 STUDENTS FROM SEPTEMBER THROUGH MAY.

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 May 1943.

    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.