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Northwest Choirs

EIN 23-7409990 · Seattle, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair53 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF NORTHWEST CHOIRS IS TO PROVIDE THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF MUSIC EDUCATION AND VOCAL PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITY TO THE BOYS, AND YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN OF THE SEATTLE REGION, AND TO PROVIDE THE LOCAL COMMUNITY WITH A UNIQUE CHORAL RESOURCE.

Income
$1.1 million
Spending
$1.2 million
Spent on programs
56%
Reserves
1.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 66%
Employees
18
Volunteers
474
Highest pay
$90,916, executive director (until 06/2024)

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 53 out of 100. Higher than 24% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 18% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 13% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 7% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    56% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 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

    0 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 December 31, 2024, 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. $676,601 spent. NORTHWEST CHOIRS - NORTHWEST BOYCHOIR & VOCALPOINT! SEATTLE IS AN INCLUSIVE AND EQUITABLE ORGANIZATION ANNUALLY SERVING 150+ YOUTH AGES 6-18 YEARS OF AGE. NORTHWEST CHOIRS IS COMMITTED TO ASSISTING FAMILIES WITH FINANCIAL AID SO ALL ELIGIBLE YOUTH MAY PARTICIPATE FULLY. TUITION FEES ONLY COVER 50% OF THE BUDGET AND THE REMAINING INCOME IS MADE UP FROM PERFORMANCES, FUNDRAISING, DONATIONS, AND GRANTS. ALL REHEARSALS AND PROGRAM ACTIVITIES ARE HELD AFTER-SCHOOL AT NORTHWEST CHOIRS' FACILITY IN THE UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS CENTER IN SEATTLE.IN 2024, NORTHWEST BOYCHOIR & VOCALPOINT! SEATTLE PRESENTED 43 LIVE PERFORMANCES TO AN AUDIENCE OF OVER 26,000. WE WERE ALSO FEATURED ON YOUTUBE AND CLASSICAL KING FM. IN ADDITION, SOME OF OUR RECORDINGS ARE BEING DISTRIBUTED THROUGH DISTROKID, WHICH HAS BROADENED THE AUDIENCE TO THE WORLD-WIDE WEB AND ONLINE MUSIC STREAMING PLATFORMS. FOR GREATER COMMUNITY ACCESS, NORTHWEST CHOIRS KEEPS TICKET PRICES AFFORDABLE AND GIVES DISCOUNTS TO SENIORS AND STUDENTS. FREE TICKETS ARE OFFERED TO TEACHERS, VETERANS, AND LOW-INCOME COMMUNITY MEMBERS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 December 2024.

    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 November 1974.

    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.