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Suzuki Institute of Dallas

EIN 23-7326315 · Dallas, TX

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood81 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Providing music education primarily to children, but also to some adults and participating in outreach in the North Texas community.

Income
$946,101
Spending
$938,309
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
9.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 95%
Employees
14
Volunteers
10
Highest pay
$93,919, executive director

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

Financial health

Good: 81 out of 100. Higher than 58% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 9.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 24% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 1% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    83% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 91 out of 100. Higher than 79% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 9 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

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 July 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 (1)
  1. $778,960 spent. The Suzuki Music Institute of Dallas SMID provides private lessons (violin, viola, cello, harp, piano) and group & musicianship classes to students of all ages and levels (approximately 270 students). SMID also provides an early childhood music education course for 18 month olds to 4 year olds. SMID bases its teaching philosophy on Dr. Suzukis Talent Education Method which emphasizes that any child, musical or not, can achieve a level of excellence on their instrument by following his intricate Mother Tongue method of unveiling and nurturing the talent latent in all children. SMID provides internal scholarships as it is able, to ensure lessons are available to all children without regard to their race, color, national or ethnic origin or financial situation. In addition, we offer Parent Training courses, which enable parents to practice effectively with their children and learn thoroughly about the Suzuki Method. SMID teachers also give lessons via Skype to students throughout the United States and the world. SMID has dozens of annual prize winners in major music competitions held inside and outside the state of Texas. Our students have the opportunity to perform in formal concerts and competitions and community outreach concerts ranging from beginning to professional levels every month. Community outreach concert venues include hospitals, nursing homes, and local festivals. In addition, students have performed on From the Top with many orchestras across the world including Sioux Falls Symphony Orchestra and the Black Hills Orchestra, East Texas Symphony, and the New Conservatory of Dallas. We have also had students perform with the Meadows Symphony and the Plano Symphony in the past. Every year, our teachers prepare SMID high school students for college and university auditions. Teachers assist with audition tapes, letters of recommendation, and important acceptance decisions. SMID students are consistently awarded university and college scholarships for all areas of study.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 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 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 July 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 December 1973.

    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.