Mandarins of Sacramento Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.
- It owes more than it owns.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
Our Mission Statement "Transforming Lives Through Performing Arts" is the goal in everything we do. We strive to promote good citizenship while learning personal and team-building skills through our many programs.
- Income
- $2.9 million
- Spending
- $3.0 million
- Spent on programs
- 93%
- Reserves
- -7.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 82%
- Employees
- 162
- Volunteers
- 70
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 38 out of 100.
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
0 of 20It owes 110% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 2% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 6% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1593% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Fair: 68 out of 100.
Independent board
5 of 255 of 10 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.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
0 of 10Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 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 (1)
- $2.8 million spent. Mandarins Music AcademyThe Mandarins Music Academy started with the idea of giving the gift of music to children in the Sacramento Region. It is a complete business system for providing music education for a large student population. The program conducts instrumental band classes that include woodwinds, brass and percussion. The music directors are Mandarins employees and are music education majors in college, recent graduates or local professional musicians. There are currently 40 staff members including the program directors, administrators, music directors and music advisors. The program has strategic relationships with the Elk Grove Unified School District, Gateway Community Charter Schools, and Alfred Music. Mandarins EntertainmentMandarins Entertainment is an all-inclusive professional performance ensemble that offers musical entertainment throughout the Greater Sacramento and Bay Area. Utilizing drum lines, brass ensembles, and dance troupes, Mandarins Entertainment performs annually for thousands of fans at events including Sacramento Kings games, NASCAR races, Sac Republic FC soccer matches, and former Oakland Raiders games. Additionally, Mandarins Entertainment provides drum lines for grand openings, building dedications, parades, and private gatherings.PathwaysMandarins Pathways collaborates with the Juvenile Department of Justice to offer beginning and advanced music, percussion, and literacy courses to juveniles housed within the Sacramento County Youth Detention Facility.Mandarins Event CenterThe Mandarins Event Center became the Home of the Mandarins in 2019. The 12,000 sq.ft. building is utilized as a rehearsal hall, lesson studios and office space. The Event Center is also available for rent for banquets, socials, meetings and other large-scale events. Sacramento Mandarins Drum & Bugle CorpsSacramento Mandarins Drum & Bugle Corps perform in competitive circuits, such as Drum Corps International (DCI), where they are judged on music, visual performance, general effect, and overall execution. Performances are typically complex and highly choreographed, requiring significant skill and coordination from all participants. The Mandarins have earned the title of Drum Corps International World Champions eight times and are currently a six-time World Class top-10 finalist.The Organization elected to suspend Drum Corps operations during the 2026 season and intends to resume participation in 2027.Immortal WindsImmortal Winds is an indoor performance group of brass and woodwind instrumentalists presented by the Mandarins. The group performs in arenas across Northern California and also provides educational experience for local musicians through instruction from Mandarins Drum and Bugle Corps staff.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.
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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since February 1974.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.