Phantom Regiment Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- Raising each dollar of donations cost 55 cents.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
PHANTOM REGIMENT'S VISION IS A WORLD FULL OF EMPOWERED AND PASSIONATE LEADERS. WE ACCOMPLPISH THIS THROUGH OUR MISSION: PROVIDING LIFE-CHANGING EXPERIENCES THROUGH PERFORMING ARTS EDUCATION.
- Income
- $3.3 million
- Spending
- $3.3 million
- Spent on programs
- 81%
- Reserves
- 1.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 65%
- Employees
- 5
- Volunteers
- 246
- Highest pay
- $82,624, ceo
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 43 out of 100. Higher than 13% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 1.3 months of spending.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 32% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 12% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 1581% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 55 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 2521 of 21 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 (4)
- ESTABLISHED IN 1956 AS A PART OF THE ROCKFORD VFW POST 342, PHANTOM REGIMENT, INC. IS A YOUTH ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF SELF-ESTEEM AND SELF-RELIANCE. IT ENCOURAGES TEAMWORK, SPORTSMANSHIP, CIVIC PRIDE AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF ONE'S PERSONAL BEST TO A GROUP EFFORT. THESE LESSONS ARE LEARNED THROUGH A MUSICAL AND MARCHING ACTIVITY IN WHICH THERE IS A BLENDING OF THE ARTS AND ATHLETICS. PHANTOM REGIMENT PRIDES ITSELF ON PROVIDING A LIFE-CHANGING EXPERIENCE FOR THE YOUTH THAT PARTICIPATE IN ANY OF OUR PROGRAMS. WE WANT TO OFFER A CONDUIT THROUGH WHICH THEY SUCCEED NOT ONLY WITHIN THE MUSIC EDUCATION WORLD, WHICH IS ONE OF OUR PRIMARY FOCUSES, BUT ALSO PROVIDING LESSONS THEY CAN APPLY TO OTHER AREAS OF THEIR LIFE. WE PROVIDE YOUTH ACTIVITIES THAT ENHANCE THE PERSONAL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF ITS PARTICIPANTS THROUGH EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION, ENTERTAINMENT AND THE PERFORMING ARTS. IT'S ACTIVITIES MAKE A LASTING IMPACT ON OUR STUDENTS, MANY OF WHOM CONTINUE THEIR EDUCATION AND BECOME MUSIC EDUCATORS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY WHILE OTHERS BECOME PROFESSIONAL MUSICIANS AND DANCERS. WE FIND THAT MANY OF OUR ACTIVITIES HAVE A LIFE-LONG IMPACT ON THE STUDENTS DUE TO THE SKILLS AND FRIENDSHIPS THEY DEVELOP WHILE PARTICIPATING IN OUR PROGRAMS. OUR PROGRAMS INCLUDE: PHANTOM REGIMENT DRUM AND BUGLE CORPS - THIS IS A PERFORMING GROUP OF 165 STUDENTS THAT RANGE IN AGE FROM 16 TO 21. WE HAVE BETWEEN 600 AND 750 STUDENTS AUDITION TO BE PART OF THE CORPS THAT REQUIRES THAT THEY ATTEND PRACTICES ONE WEEKEND A MONTH FROM DECEMBER THROUGH APRIL AND MOVE TO ROCKFORD IN MAY TO LEARN THAT YEAR'S PROGRAM FOR THREE WEEKS BEFORE EMBARKING ON A TWO MONTH TOUR OF THE UNITED STATES TO PARTICIPATE IN COMPETITIONS AND PRACTICE. THE COMPETITIVE SEASON ENDS IN MID-AUGUST IN INDIANAPOLIS WHERE THE DRUM CORPS INTERNATIONAL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS ARE HELD. THE DRUM CORPS HAS THE 2ND LONGEST ACTIVE STREAK OF APPEARING IN DCI'S TOP 12 AND HAS WON THE CHAMPIONSHIP IN 1996 AND 2008. PUBLIC SCHOOL OUTREACH - THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES ASSISTANCE IN THE FORM OF LENDING INSTRUMENTS AND INTRODUCING STUDENTS TO MUSIC. BUDGET CUTS IN MANY OF OUR LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS HAVE RESULTED IN THE REDUCTION OR ELIMINATION OF MUSIC PROGRAMS. PHANTOM REGIMENT HAS ALSO PROVIDED CLINICIANS AND CONDUCTORS FOR THE CITY OF ROCKFORD'S ALL-STAR AND HONOR BAND CONCERTS. WE FEEL THAT MUSIC EDUCATION IS ESSENTIAL TO A WELL-ROUNDED STUDENT AND MANY STUDIES HAVE DOCUMENTED THE POSITIVE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BEING INVOLVED IN MUSIC AND MATH AND SCIENCE SCORES. HIGH & MIDDLE SCHOOL CONCERT BAND FESTIVAL - PRODUCED IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY MUSIC DEPARTMENT, THIS FESTIVAL ALLOWS SCHOOLS THE OPPORTUNITY TO PERFORM IN THE BEAUTIFUL BOUTELL MEMORIAL CONCERT HALL, ON THE CAMPUS OF NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY. THE FESTIVAL IS A NONCOMPETITIVE, EDUCATIONAL EVENT IN A WELCOMING ENVIRONMENT WHERE STUDENTS PERFORM ON STAGE AND RECEIVE FEEDBACK AND STATE OF THE ART AUDIO AND VIDEO RECORDINGS OF THEIR CONCERT, AS WELL AS TAKE PART IN A CLINIC WITH ONE OF THE FESTIVAL'S CLINICIANS FOLLOWING THEIR PERFORMANCE. ESTABLISHED IN 1956 AS A PART OF THE ROCKFORD VFW POST 342, PHANTOM REGIMENT, INC. IS A YOUTH ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF SELF-ESTEEM AND SELF-RELIANCE. IT ENCOURAGES TEAMWORK, SPORTSMANSHIP, CIVIC PRIDE AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF ONE'S PERSONAL BEST TO A GROUP EFFORT. THESE LESSONS ARE LEARNED THROUGH A MUSICAL AND MARCHING ACTIVITY IN WHICH THERE IS A BLENDING OF THE ARTS AND ATHLETICS. PHANTOM REGIMENT PRIDES ITSELF ON PROVIDING A LIFE-CHANGING EXPERIENCE FOR THE YOUTH THAT PARTICIPATE IN ANY OF OUR PROGRAMS. WE WANT TO OFFER A CONDUIT THROUGH WHICH THEY SUCCEED NOT ONLY WITHIN THE MUSIC EDUCATION WORLD, WHICH IS ONE OF OUR PRIMARY FOCUSES, BUT ALSO PROVIDING LESSONS THEY CAN APPLY TO OTHER AREAS OF THEIR LIFE. WE PROVIDE YOUTH ACTIVITIES THAT ENHANCE THE PERSONAL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF ITS PARTICIPANTS THROUGH EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION, ENTERTAINMENT AND THE PERFORMING ARTS. IT'S ACTIVITIES MAKE A LASTING IMPACT ON OUR STUDENTS, MANY OF WHOM CONTINUE THEIR EDUCATION AND BECOME MUSIC EDUCATORS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY WHILE OTHERS BECOME PROFESSIONAL MUSICIANS AND DANCERS. WE FIND THAT MANY OF OUR ACTIVITIES HAVE A LIFE-LONG IMPACT ON THE STUDENTS DUE TO THE SKILLS AND FRIENDSHIPS THEY DEVELOP WHILE PARTICIPATING IN OUR PROGRAMS. OUR PROGRAMS INCLUDE: PHANTOM REGIMENT DRUM AND BUGLE CORPS - THIS IS A PERFORMING GROUP OF 165 STUDENTS THAT RANGE IN AGE FROM 16 TO 21. WE HAVE BETWEEN 600 AND 750 STUDENTS AUDITION TO BE PART OF THE CORPS THAT REQUIRES THAT THEY ATTEND PRACTICES ONE WEEKEND A MONTH FROM DECEMBER THROUGH APRIL AND MOVE TO ROCKFORD IN MAY TO LEARN THAT YEAR'S PROGRAM FOR THREE WEEKS BEFORE EMBARKING ON A TWO MONTH TOUR OF THE UNITED STATES TO PARTICIPATE IN COMPETITIONS AND PRACTICE. THE COMPETITIVE SEASON ENDS IN MID-AUGUST IN INDIANAPOLIS WHERE THE DRUM CORPS INTERNATIONAL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS ARE HELD. THE DRUM CORPS HAS THE 2ND LONGEST ACTIVE STREAK OF APPEARING IN DCI'S TOP 12 AND HAS WON THE CHAMPIONSHIP IN 1996 AND 2008. PUBLIC SCHOOL OUTREACH - THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES ASSISTANCE IN THE FORM OF LENDING INSTRUMENTS AND INTRODUCING STUDENTS TO MUSIC. BUDGET CUTS IN MANY OF OUR LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS HAVE RESULTED IN THE REDUCTION OR ELIMINATION OF MUSIC PROGRAMS. PHANTOM REGIMENT HAS ALSO PROVIDED CLINICIANS AND CONDUCTORS FOR THE CITY OF ROCKFORD'S ALL-STAR AND HONOR BAND CONCERTS. WE FEEL THAT MUSIC EDUCATION IS ESSENTIAL TO A WELL-ROUNDED STUDENT AND MANY STUDIES HAVE DOCUMENTED THE POSITIVE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BEING INVOLVED IN MUSIC AND MATH AND SCIENCE SCORES. HIGH & MIDDLE SCHOOL CONCERT BAND FESTIVAL - PRODUCED IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY MUSIC DEPARTMENT, THIS FESTIVAL ALLOWS SCHOOLS THE OPPORTUNITY TO PERFORM IN THE BEAUTIFUL BOUTELL MEMORIAL CONCERT HALL, ON THE CAMPUS OF NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY. THE FESTIVAL IS A NONCOMPETITIVE, EDUCATIONAL EVENT IN A WELCOMING E
- EDUCATIONAL CAMPS - PHANTOM REGIMENT HAS BEEN PRODUCING SUMMER EDUCATIONAL CAMPS SINCE 2003. WE HOLD CAMPS FOR DRUM MAJOR, BRASS, PERCUSSION AND COLOR GUARD. THESE 3 OR 4-DAY CAMPS ARE HELD THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES AND ARE ATTENDED BY HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS THAT WANT TO IMPROVE THEIR SKILLS. THE EDUCATIONAL CAMP STAFF IS MADE UP OF SOME OF THE BEST HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE BAND DIRECTORS FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY, MOST OF WHOM ARE CURRENT OR FORMER MEMBERS OF THE PHANTOM REGIMENT INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF. OUR EDUCATIONAL CAMP STUDENTS GET AN INTENSE, HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE THAT GENERALLY INCLUDES INTERACTIVE SESSION WITH THE DRUM CORPS. SURVEYS OF THE CAMP STUDENTS HAVE SHOWN THAT THE EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE THEY'VE GAINED AT ONE OF OUR CAMPS HAVE HELPED THEM BECOME BETTER PERFORMERS AND LEADERS BACK AT THEIR HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAMS. EDUCATIONAL CAMPS - PHANTOM REGIMENT HAS BEEN PRODUCING SUMMER EDUCATIONAL CAMPS SINCE 2003. WE HOLD CAMPS FOR DRUM MAJOR, BRASS, PERCUSSION AND COLOR GUARD. THESE 3 OR 4-DAY CAMPS ARE HELD THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES AND ARE ATTENDED BY HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS THAT WANT TO IMPROVE THEIR SKILLS. THE EDUCATIONAL CAMP STAFF IS MADE UP OF SOME OF THE BEST HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE BAND DIRECTORS FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY, MOST OF WHOM ARE CURRENT OR FORMER MEMBERS OF THE PHANTOM REGIMENT INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF. OUR EDUCATIONAL CAMP STUDENTS GET AN INTENSE, HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE THAT GENERALLY INCLUDES INTERACTIVE SESSION WITH THE DRUM CORPS. SURVEYS OF THE CAMP STUDENTS HAVE SHOWN THAT THE EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE THEY'VE GAINED AT ONE OF OUR CAMPS HAVE HELPED THEM BECOME BETTER PERFORMERS AND LEADERS BACK AT THEIR HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAMS.
- $2.7 million spent. PHANTOM REGIMENT ACADEMY OFFERS BOTH IN-PERSON AND VIRTUAL TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES WITH SOME OF THE BEST MARCHING ARTS EDUCATORS IN THE WORLD.
- PHANTOM REGIMENT ACADEMY OFFERS BOTH IN-PERSON AND VIRTUAL TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES WITH SOME OF THE BEST MARCHING ARTS EDUCATORS IN THE WORLD.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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.
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.
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.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending September 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since November 1972.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.