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Friends of Chamber Music

EIN 23-7124366 · Portland, OR

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong94 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PRESENT A BROAD RANGE OF THE HIGHEST QUALITY CHAMBER MUSIC ENSEMBLES AND ARTISTS, AND PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH TO FURTHER CHAMBER MUSIC IN OUR COMMUNITY. WE WELCOME EVERYONE AND HONOR OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION IN ALL ASPECTS OF THIS ENDEAVOR.

Income
$1.3 million
Spending
$921,616
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
90.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 58%
Employees
6
Volunteers
30
Highest pay
$149,040, 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 89% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 90.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 6% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 31% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 43% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    83% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 13 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: 94 out of 100. Higher than 59% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    17 of 17 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

    9 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. $764,186 spent. FRIENDS OF CHAMBER MUSIC TYPICALLY PRESENTS 22-28 CONCERTS AND EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES FROM OCTOBER THROUGH MAY, FEATURING THE VERY FINEST CHAMBER ENSEMBLES IN THE WORLD, BOTH WORLD-RENOWNED AND YOUNG, EMERGING ARTISTS. PROGRAMS INCLUDE: (1) A CLASSIC SERIES THAT OFFERS 5 ENSEMBLES IN 10 CONCERTS EACH SEASON (PREDOMINANTLY STRING QUARTETS AND PIANO TRIOS); (2) A BEYOND CLASSIC SERIES THAT OFFERS 3-4 NON-TRADITIONAL, CONTEMPORARY, OR ALTERNATIVE ENSEMBLES; (3) A VOCAL ARTS SERIES THAT OFFERS 3-4 ENSEMBLES OR RECITALISTS; (4) AN EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH PROGRAM THAT OFFERS EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH ACTIVITIES IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS, AS WELL AS VARIOUS COMMUNITY OUTREACH ACTIVITIES; AND (5) A SERIES OF 15-20 FUNDRAISING EVENTS CALLED DINNER WITH FRIENDS. CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O.FRIENDS OF CHAMBER MUSIC PRESENTED 23 CONCERTS IN THE 2024-25 SEASON AS PART OF THE CLASSIC SERIES, BEYOND CLASSIC (FORMERLY NOT SO CLASSIC) SERIES, AND VOCAL ARTS SERIES, AND A WEEK-LONG SHOSTAKOVICH FESTIVAL. CONCERTS TOOK PLACE IN LINCOLN PERFORMANCE HALL, KAUL AUDITORIUM, PATRICIA RESER CENTER FOR THE ARTS, ST. PHILIP NERI CHURCH, AND THE OLD CHURCH. TOTAL ATTENDANCE AT ALL CONCERTS WAS APPROXIMATELY 8,160. FOCM ALSO OFFERED 17 DINNER WITH FRIENDS FUNDRAISING EVENTS WITH TOTAL ATTENDANCE APPROXIMATELY 341.IN ADDITION, FRIENDS OF CHAMBER MUSIC PRESENTED 18 EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH ACTIVITIES FEATURING OUR PROFESSIONAL VISITING MUSICIANS WITH APPROXIMATELY 1,500 ATTENDEES. EDUCATIONAL EVENTS WERE OFFERED FOR STUDENTS OF VARIOUS AGES AT REYNOLDS HIGH SCHOOL, CAMAS HIGH SCHOOL, MT. HOOD COMMUNITY COLLEGE, AND THE ARTS AND COMMUNICATION MAGNET ACADEMY. ONE PUBLIC MASTER CLASS WAS OFFERED AT PORTLAND STATE UNIVERSITY, AND TWO AT LINFIELD UNIVERSITY. SEVERAL LECTURES, AND A FILM WERE OFFERED AS PART OF OUR SHOSTAKOVICH FESTIVAL. ONE ENSEMBLE, PUBLIQUARTET, PRESENTED A CONCERT AT MIRABELLA RETIREMENT COMMUNITY AND ANOTHER, META4 PERFORMED FOR WILLAMETTE VIEW RETIREMENT COMMUNITY. AN ALL-DAY YOUTH CHORAL FESTIVAL WAS OFFERED BY CHANTICLEER WHICH INVOLVED FOUR HIGH SCHOOL CHOIRS. AN 8-SESSION CHAMBER MUSIC APPRECIATION CLASS WAS ALSO OFFERED.

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 July 2003.

    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.