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Balmoral School of Highland Piping

EIN 25-1652056 · Pittsburgh, PA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceFair69 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO RAISE THE STANDARD AND PROMOTE THE APPRECIATION OF BAGPIPE MUSIC IN THE USA BY PROVIDING WORLD CLASS INSTRUCTION, CULTIVATING EXCELLENCE IN YOUTH, PRESENTING INNOVATIVE MUSICAL EVENTS, AND FOSTERING TRADITION.

Income
$250,031
Spending
$240,486
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
7.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 77%
Employees
3
Volunteers
59
Highest pay
$35,000, exec directo

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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 78% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 7.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% 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 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% 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

Fair: 69 out of 100. Higher than 45% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 8 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • 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 (5)
  1. $127,711 spent. BALMORAL SCHOOL OF HIGHLAND PIPING USUALLY PROVIDES PIPING AND DRUMMING INSTRUCTION AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS.
  2. $50,401 spent. BALMORAL CLASSIC (CONCERT) - PRESENTATION OF BAGPIPE MUSIC BY NATIONAL OR INTERNATIONALLY KNOWN ARTISTS IN CONCERT FOR THE PUBLIC. FUNDRAISING ACTIVITIES ALSO SURROUND THIS EVENT TO RAISE AWARENESS FOR THE BALMORAL SCHOOL SUMMER SESSIONS, AND OVERALL MISSION. BALMORAL CLASSIC (COMPETITION) - A MAJOR SOLO BAGPIPING AND DRUMMING COMPETITION IN PITTSBURGH, PA FOR PIPERS AND SNARE DRUMMERS AGE 21 AND UNDER.
  3. $12,574 spent. THE BALMORAL PIPES AND DRUMS BAND WAS FORMED IN 2013 AND IS COMPRISED OF 20 MEMBERS WHO HAVE STUDIED THE PIPES AND DRUMS WITH BALMORAL SCHOOL INSTRUCTORS FOR SEVERAL YEARS. THE MEMBERS ARE DEDICATED TO PRODUCING MUSIC OF A HIGH PERFORMANCE STANDARD, AND MOST OF THE MEMBERS COMPETE AS SOLOISTS IN VARIOUS EASTERN US PIPE BAND ASSOCIATION'S SANCTIONED COMPETITIONS. THE BAND HAS PERFORMED AT NUMEROUS CELEBRATIONS AND PARADES IN PITTSBURGH, INCLUDING THE PITTSBURGH GRAND PRIX, THE SEWICKLEY AND CORAOPOLIS MEMORIAL DAY PARADES, THE FORT ARMSTRONG FESTIVAL, THE DEER LAKES PARADE, PITTSBURGH'S LABOR DAY PARADE, PITTSBURGH'S FIRST NIGHT, AND THE FT. LIGONIER DAYS PARADE. IN 2024, THE GROUP PERFORMED IN PERSON AT SEVERAL EVENTS.
  4. BALMORAL SCHOOL COMPILED, AND PRODUCED TWO BOOKS. BALMORAL COLLECTION OF HYMNS ARRANGED FOR THE HIGHLAND BAGPIPE BOOK, AND RELATED COMMERCIAL CD FOR USE IN SOLO AND COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS BY PIPERS AND ORGANISTS. THE BALMORAL GUIDE TO PLAYING THE BAGPIPES FOR COMMUNITY DANCES BOOK, WITH DVD, TO PROMOTE COMMUNITY BUILDING ACTIVITY THROUGH THE USE OF BAGPIPES WITH OTHER INSTRUMENTS FOR DANCING.
  5. BALMORAL SCHOOL COMPILED, AND PRODUCED TWO BOOKS. BALMORAL COLLECTION OF HYMNS ARRANGED FOR THE HIGHLAND BAGPIPE BOOK, AND RELATED COMMERCIAL CD FOR USE IN SOLO AND COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS BY PIPERS AND ORGANISTS. THE BALMORAL GUIDE TO PLAYING THE BAGPIPES FOR COMMUNITY DANCES BOOK, WITH DVD, TO PROMOTE COMMUNITY BUILDING ACTIVITY THROUGH THE USE OF BAGPIPES WITH OTHER INSTRUMENTS FOR DANCING.

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 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 November 6, 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 December 2024.

    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 1992.

    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 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.