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Songfest

EIN 26-0014803 · Pacific Plsds, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair63 out of 100GovernanceWeak45 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

SongFest strives to ensure the future of art song with an emphasis on American song, by providing young classical singers and pianists with training and performance opportunities with the most distinguided artists in the field in a supportive and challenging, musical environment. With a long history of faculty from leading music

Income
$238,320
Spending
$345,883
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
66.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 84%
Employees
1
Volunteers
2
Highest pay
$71,250, president

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

Financial health

Fair: 63 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 66.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 45% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 78% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    89% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 38 cents.

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

Governance

Weak: 45 out of 100. Higher than 22% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    4 of 4 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

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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.

  • No reported misuse

    0 of 10

    Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 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. $307,926 spent. Songfest is a training program and festival for classical singers and pianists. It is considered to be the finest festival or art song in the Unites States. Songfest 2023 was held at Vanderbilt University and 2024 at Pomona College. There were 65 participants ranging in age from 20-30. They were from all the major music schools nationwide, and from Canada, South America, Germany and Asia. The rental costs at both venues were significantly higher after Covid. Songfest no longer receives grants from The Getty Foundation, The Marc and Eva Stern Foundation and the Los Angeles County Arts Commission. This was a loss of approx $44,000 as these grants were specific to Southern California organizations. Private donations were down also. Administrative personnel were furloughed. Rosemary Ritter, director, is the only administrator on payroll. Musically, the program continues to flourish. Guest artist and Opera Singer Frederica von Stade donated her time and presented a master class and recital.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 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 August 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 October 2002.

    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.