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Association for Recorded Sound Collections Inc

EIN 23-7001161 · Annapolis, MD

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthNot ratedToo small or too little detailGovernanceNot ratedThe short tax form does not cover thisImpact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

FOUNDED IN 1966, THE ASSOCIATION FOR RECORDED SOUND COLLECTIONS, INC. IS A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO THE PRESERVATION AND STUDY OF SOUND RECORDINGS IN ALL GENRES OF MUSIC AND SPEECH, IN ALL FORMATS, AND FROM ALL PERIODS. ARSC IS UNIQUE IN BRINGING TOGETHER PRIVATE INDIVIDUALS AND INSTITUTIONAL PROFESSIONALS. ARCHIVISTS, LIBRARIES, AND CURARTORS REPRESENTING MANY OF THE WORLD'S LEADING AUSIOVISUAL REPOSITORIES PARTICIPATE IN ARSC ALONGSIDE RECORD COLLECTORS, RECORD DEALERS, RESEARCHERS, HISTORIANS, DISCOGRAPHERS, MUSICIANS, ENGINEERS, PRODUCERS, REVIEWERS, AND BROADCASTERS.

Income
$134,659
Spending
$145,460
Reserves
23.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
other income, 33%
Highest pay
$7,500, executive di

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

Financial health

We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.

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

Governance

This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.

Source: Form 990EZ 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. $27,219 spent. PUBLISHED TWO ISSUES OF THE ARSC JOURNAL, AND THREE ISSUES OF THE ARSC NEWSLETTER SERVING OVER 700 MEMBERS AND HUNDREDS OF READERS IN LIBRARIES.
  2. $1,904 spent. HELD WEBINARS THAT WERE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC WITH NO REGISTRATION FEE AND THAT WAS ATTENDED BY APPROXIMATELY 200 PEOPLE.
  3. $54,245 spent. HELD THE 59TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE IN TULSA, OK, IN MAY, 2025, WITH ATTENDANCE OF AROUND 176
  4. $20,064 spent. AWARDED GRANTS TOTALING 20,064. MAINTAINED ARSC WEBSITE FOR PUBLIC AND MEMBER USE. CONTINUED AS A MEMBER OF CCAAA. PRESENTED AWARDS FOR PUBLISHING SCHOLARLY TEXTS. PROVIDED GRANTS FOR TRAVEL AND ATTENDENCE TO THE 2025 ANNUAL CONFERENCE IN TULSA OK. MAINTAINED ARSC ARCHIVES FOR SCHOLARLY RESEARCH. PARTLY FUNDED THE COST OF THE CONFERENCE WORKSHOP HELD IN TULSA OK IN MAY, 2025.

Source: Form 990EZ 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 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 November 6, 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 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 April 1970.

    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 November 4, 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.