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New England Conservatory of Music

EIN 23-7225104 · Boston, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair65 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

NEW ENGLAND CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC (NEC) EDUCATES AND TRAINS MUSICIANS OF ALL AGES FROM AROUND THE WORLD.

Income
$90.2 million
Spending
$86.3 million
Spent on programs
81%
Reserves
-1.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 69%
Employees
1,393
Volunteers
136
Highest pay
$573,510, 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

Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 55% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 14% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 12% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    81% 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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 25% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    30 of 30 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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 (4)
  1. $43.5 million spent. HIGHER EDUCATION: COLLEGE - MUSIC SCHOOL WITH PROGRAMS LEADING TO BACHELOR'S DEGREES, MASTER'S DEGREES, DOCTORAL DEGREES, AND DIPLOMAS. NEC'S ENROLLMENT IS COMPRISED OF APPROXIMATELY HALF UNDERGRADUATES AND HALF GRADUATE STUDENTS. (952 STUDENTS)
  2. $14.7 million spent. STUDENT SERVICES PROGRAM, GENERAL/OTHER:RESIDENCE HALL/DINING - ALL FRESHMEN AND SOPHOMORES ARE HOUSED AND DINE IN THE NEC RESIDENCE HALL. THE CAFETERIA IS OPEN TO THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY. (230 STUDENTS)HEALTH SERVICES - ON-SITE STUDENT HEALTH CENTER PROVIDING ROUTINE AND URGENT CARE AND REFERRALS, STAFFED BY A PHYSICIAN AND NURSE PRACTITIONERS. SUPPORTED BY STUDENT MEDICAL FEES AND INSURANCE REIMBURSEMENTS.COUNSELING SERVICES - ON-SITE CENTER PROVIDING CONFIDENTIAL COUNSELING FOR STUDENTS, STAFFED BY A PSYCHIATRIST AND PROFESSIONAL COUNSELORS.
  3. $8.8 million spent. PREPARATORY AND ADULT EDUCATION - MUSIC INSTRUCTION FOR CHILDREN AGES 0-18 AND ADULTS OFFERED YEAR-ROUND. NOT LEADING TO A SPECIFIC DEGREE, OFFERINGS INCLUDE PRIVATE LESSONS, ENSEMBLES, AND CLASSES. 6% FINANCIAL AID IS PROVIDED BASED ON NEED. (1,687 STUDENTS)
  4. $2.8 million spent. CONCERTS AND HALL RENTALS: OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES INCLUDE EXPENSES RELATED TO OVER 1,000 FREE NEC CONCERTS PERFORMED BY STUDENTS, FACULTY AND GUEST ARTISTS PER YEAR AND EXPENSES FOR CONCERTS AT NEC PERFORMED BY OUTSIDE ORGANIZATIONS. THESE OUTSIDE ORGANIZATIONS PAY NEC HALL RENTAL FEES AND OTHER ASSOCIATED RENTAL COSTS, SUCH AS SECURITY AND LIGHTING/TECHNICAL SERVICES, RELATED TO THEIR PERFORMANCES.

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 November 1941.

    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.