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Great American Songbook Foundation Inc

EIN 26-0620716 · Carmel, IN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood82 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO INSPIRE AND EDUCATE BY CELEBRATING THE GREAT AMERICAN SONGBOOK.

Income
$1.8 million
Spending
$1.9 million
Spent on programs
61%
Reserves
49.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 74%
Employees
9
Volunteers
39
Highest pay
$201,192, gasf director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 82 out of 100. Higher than 64% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 49.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 6% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 66% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    61% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 26 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    22 of 22 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

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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 June 30, 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 (2)
  1. $673,634 spent. MUSEUM AND ARCHIVE ACTIVITIES:THE GREAT AMERICAN SONGBOOK FOUNDATION MAINTAINS THE SONGBOOK LIBRARY & ARCHIVES, A VAST AND GROWING RESOURCE CONTAINING RECORDINGS, ARRANGEMENTS, IMAGES, MEMORABILIA, PERSONAL PAPERS AND OTHER ITEMS FROM THE 20TH CENTURY FOUNDATIONAL ERA OF AMERICAN POPULAR MUSIC. THE LIBRARY & ARCHIVES WAS ESTABLISHED TO PRESERVE THE PHYSICAL ARTIFACTS OF THE GREAT AMERICAN SONGBOOK'S CREATORS AND PERFORMERS FOR THE EDUCATION AND BENEFIT OF CURRENT AND FUTURE GENERATIONS. THE FACILITY ALSO INCLUDES A REFERENCE LIBRARY AND STUDY SPACE FOR RESEARCHERS STUDYING THE MUSIC AND THE CULTURE IT HAS INSPIRED.IN ADDITION, THE GREAT AMERICAN SONGBOOK EXHIBIT GALLERY OPEN TO THE PUBLIC IS A MULTIMEDIA EDUCATIONAL CENTER WITH ROTATING EXHIBITS DISPLAYING PIECES FROM THE ARCHIVES. AS A CULTURAL AFFILIATE OF THE LOS ANGELES-BASED GRAMMY MUSEUM, THE SONGBOOK FOUNDATION IS AMONG A HANDFUL OF INSTITUTIONS WORLDWIDE THAT COLLABORATE ON EXHIBITIONS, EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVES, RESEARCH PROGRAMS, INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES, TECHNICAL SUPPORT AND MORE.THE FOUNDATION'S EVENTUAL GOAL IS TO ESTABLISH A FREESTANDING SONGBOOK HALL OF FAME MUSEUM TO HOUSE ITS COLLECTIONS AND PRESENT INTERACTIVE EXHIBITIONS THAT CELEBRATE THE ONGOING IMPORTANCE OF POPULAR MUSIC.
  2. $495,269 spent. COMMUNITY EDUCATION AND OUTREACH:THE FOUNDATION HAS DEVELOPED EFFECTIVE EDUCATION AND OUTREACH PROGRAMS TO INTRODUCE PEOPLE OF ALL AGES TO THE MUSIC AND COMPOSERS OF THE GREAT AMERICAN SONGBOOK IN THE CONTEXT OF AMERICAN HISTORY AND CULTURE. THE ANNUAL SONGBOOK ACADEMY IS A LEADING MUSIC AND PERFORMANCE INTENSIVE FOR HIGH SCHOOL VOCALISTS THAT IS DEDICATED TO THE MUSIC OF BROADWAY, HOLLYWOOD MUSICALS AND THE TIN PAN ALLEY ERA OF THE EARLY TO MID-20TH CENTURY. STUDENTS FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY APPLY FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN AND PERFORM UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF BROADWAY PERFORMERS, MUSIC INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS AND EDUCATORS FROM RESPECTED UNIVERSITY MUSIC AND THEATER PROGRAMS. TO ACCOMPANY ITS PHYSICAL COLLECTIONS AND ON-SITE PROGRAMMING, THE FOUNDATION HAS DEVELOPED TRAVELING EXHIBITS THAT ARE AVAILABLE FREE TO COMMUNITY GROUPS AND A ROBUST MENU OF VIRTUAL PROGRAMMING AND ONLINE RESOURCES INCLUDING DIGITAL EXHIBITIONS, COLLECTIONS HIGHLIGHTS, VIDEO TOURS, ACTIVITY KITS, EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS AND MORE.THE FOUNDATION'S PERFECT HARMONY PROGRAM IS A MUSIC RESOURCE THAT PROVIDES CARE PARTNERS WITH APPROPRIATE GENERATIONAL MUSIC AND ACTIVITIES TO ENGAGE OLDER ADULTS IN SHARED EXPERIENCES. PERFECT HARMONY OFFERS A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY FOR SOCIAL AND MUSICAL ENGAGEMENT AND PROMOTES HOLISTIC WELL-BEING THROUGH MUSIC BY OFFERING MONTHLY VIDEO RESOURCES AND THEMED MUSIC ACTIVITIES FOR INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP SETTINGS. PERFECT HARMONY CONSULTS WITH A BOARD-CERTIFIED MUSIC THERAPIST FOR EXPERT GUIDANCE AND FEEDBACK ON ALL MUSICAL RESOURCES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 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 June 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 September 2007.

    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.