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Grammy Museum Foundation Inc

EIN 26-1447714 · Los Angeles, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak22 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 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

THE GRAMMY MUSEUM IS A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO CELEBRATING AND EXPLORING MUSIC FROM YESTERDAY AND TODAY TO INSPIRE THE MUSIC OF TOMORROW THROUGH EXHIBITS, EDUCATION, GRANTS, PRESERVATION INITIATIVES, AND PUBLIC PROGRAMMING. PAYING TRIBUTE TO OUR COLLECTIVE MUSICAL HERITAGE, THE MUSEUM VALUES AND CELEBRATES THE DYNAMIC CONNECTION IN PEOPLE'S DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS, TELLING THE STORIES THAT INSPIRE US, AND CREATIVE EXPRESSION THAT LEADS CHANGE IN OUR INDUSTRY.

Income
$15.0 million
Spending
$17.9 million
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
-2.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 63%
Employees
64
Volunteers
21
Highest pay
$610,028, president & ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 22 out of 100. Higher than 1% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 82% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 19% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 10% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 16 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 12% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    20 of 20 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

    0 of 10

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

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 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 (3)
  1. $9.4 million spent. GENERAL ADMISSIONS: MAINTAINING AND OPERATING THE GRAMMY MUSEUM TO PROVIDE A ONE-OF-A-KIND EXPERIENCE FOR THE PUBLIC THAT PROMOTES THE CREATIVE PROCESS, THE HISTORY OF MUSIC AND THE GRAMMY AWARDS, AS WELL AS CULTURAL UNDERSTANDING.
  2. $4.5 million spent. PUBLIC PROGRAMS AND EDUCATION: THE GRAMMY MUSEUM HOSTS A WIDE RANGE OF PUBLIC PROGRAMS IN THE MUSEUM'S SOUND STAGE THEATRE AND THROUGHOUT THE LA LIVE CAMPUS, WHERE THE GRAMMY MUSEUM IS LOCATED AS WELL AS VIRTUAL PROGRAMS. PROGRAMS INCLUDE ARTISTS INTERVIEWS, LIVE PERFORMANCES, FILM SERIES, LECTURES, ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE PROGRAMS, CONTINUING EDUCATION CLASSES, TOWN HALL MEETINGS, SPECIAL CONCERT SERIES, RECORD LABEL SHOWCASES, AND CURATORIAL-RELATED PROGRAMS. ALL PROGRAMS ARE RECORDED FOR ARCHIVAL PURPOSES TO SHARE WITH THE PUBLIC. THE GOAL OF THE GRAMMY MUSEUM'S EDUCATION PROGRAM IS TO EDUCATE AND INSPIRE, THROUGH EXPOSURE TO ALL MUSIC AND THE CREATIVE PROCESS, ALL VISITORS BUT MOST SPECIFICALLY SCHOOL GROUPS AND FAMILIES. THE PROGRAMS INCLUDE TEACHER WORKSHOPS, MUSEUM TOURS, SEMINARS, SYMPOSIA, MASTER MUSIC CLASSES, MENTORING PROGRAMS, MUSIC FORUMS, SCHOOL OUTREACH AND MUSICAL DEMONSTRATIONS, CAMPS, AND SATURDAY FAMILY PROGRAMS.
  3. $211,391 spent. CURATORIAL SERVICES: SERVICES PROVIDED ON SETTING UP AND MAINTAINING TRAVELING EXHIBITS, WHICH WERE CONSTRUCTED FOR THE GRAMMY MUSEUM DURING THE YEAR OR A PRIOR PERIOD, AND THEN TRANSPORTED TO AND SET-UP TEMPORARILY IN ANOTHER MUSEUM-TYPE LOCATION. SERVICES ALSO PROVIDED IN ASSISTING THIRD PARTIES IN PROMOTING MUSIC EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT OUTSIDE THE GRAMMY MUSEUM'S LOCATION IN LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 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 July 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 February 2015.

    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.