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Passes our checks

High Desert Chamber Music

EIN 26-1777589 · Bend, OR

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceFair59 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

HIGH DESERT CHAMBER MUSIC'S MISSION IS TO BRING WORLD CLASS CHAMBER MUSIC AND MUSICIANS TO CENTRAL OREGON. THROUGH OUR CONCERT SERIES AND EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH PROGRAMS, WE ASPIRE TO HEIGHTEN THE LEVEL OF APPRECIATION, AWARENESS, AND UNDERSTANDING OF THIS GREAT GENRE OF CLASSICAL MUSIC.

Income
$280,422
Spending
$254,328
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 63%
Employees
1
Volunteers
25

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

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 7.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Fair: 59 out of 100. Higher than 28% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 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

    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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 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 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 (3)
  1. $216,719 spent. TICKET SALES FOR CONCERT SERIES
  2. -RECEIVED GRANTS FROM MAYBELLE CLARK MACDONALD FUND, OREGON ARTS COMMISSION, CREATIVE WEST (FORMERLY WESTAF), ROUNDHOUSE FOUNDATION, AND THE DESCHUTES CULTURAL COALITION -OFFERED AND ACHIEVED A MATCHING GRANT CHALLENGE FROM THE STARSEED FOUNDATION FOR THE EIGHTH YEAR IN A ROW -SECURED CONTINUED SUPPORT FROM TITLE SPONSORS: RADIO-COMBINED COMMUNICATIONS, TV/ MEDIA-CENTRAL OREGON DAILY NEWS, PRINT-CASCADE A&E MAGAZINE, THE BULLETIN -SECURED NEW 3-YEAR COMMITMENT OF EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH SPONSOR SUPPORT FROM BROOKS RESOURCES CORPORATION -CONTINUED INVITATION TO PARTICIPATE IN KWAX PRESENTS, RADIO BROADCASTS OF OUR CONCERT SERIES LIVE PERFORMANCES -RECIPIENT OF NON-PROFIT PARTNERSHIP WITH TDS (BENDBROADBAND) FOR THE TWELFTH YEAR -SECURED BUSINESS SPONSORSHIPS FOR CONCERTS IN THE 2024-25 SEASON - GERMAN MASTER TECH, PINE TAVERN RESTAURANT, MISSION BUILDING, MILLER LUMBER, DREW FAMILY DENTISTRY -PRESENTED A RECORD-BREAKING HDCM CONCERT SERIES SEASON, INCLUDING RECORD- SETTING VALENTINE'S DAY CONCERT -ANNUAL GALA HAD 50% INCREASE IN ATTENDANCE AND SURPASSED LAST YEAR'S FUNDS RAISED -REACHED NEARLY 900 STUDENTS IN CENTRAL OREGON THROUGH EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH PROGRAMS -COLLABORATION WITH THE CASCADE SCHOOL OF MUSIC IN THE PRESENTATION OF EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH PROGRAMS, WHICH INCLUDED OUR HIGHEST ATTENDED MASTER CLASS OFFERING
  3. -RECEIVED GRANTS FROM MAYBELLE CLARK MACDONALD FUND, OREGON ARTS COMMISSION, CREATIVE WEST (FORMERLY WESTAF), ROUNDHOUSE FOUNDATION, AND THE DESCHUTES CULTURAL COALITION -OFFERED AND ACHIEVED A MATCHING GRANT CHALLENGE FROM THE STARSEED FOUNDATION FOR THE EIGHTH YEAR IN A ROW -SECURED CONTINUED SUPPORT FROM TITLE SPONSORS: RADIO-COMBINED COMMUNICATIONS, TV/ MEDIA-CENTRAL OREGON DAILY NEWS, PRINT-CASCADE A&E MAGAZINE, THE BULLETIN -SECURED NEW 3-YEAR COMMITMENT OF EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH SPONSOR SUPPORT FROM BROOKS RESOURCES CORPORATION -CONTINUED INVITATION TO PARTICIPATE IN KWAX PRESENTS, RADIO BROADCASTS OF OUR CONCERT SERIES LIVE PERFORMANCES -RECIPIENT OF NON-PROFIT PARTNERSHIP WITH TDS (BENDBROADBAND) FOR THE TWELFTH YEAR -SECURED BUSINESS SPONSORSHIPS FOR CONCERTS IN THE 2024-25 SEASON - GERMAN MASTER TECH, PINE TAVERN RESTAURANT, MISSION BUILDING, MILLER LUMBER, DREW FAMILY DENTISTRY -PRESENTED A RECORD-BREAKING HDCM CONCERT SERIES SEASON, INCLUDING RECORD- SETTING VALENTINE'S DAY CONCERT -ANNUAL GALA HAD 50% INCREASE IN ATTENDANCE AND SURPASSED LAST YEAR'S FUNDS RAISED -REACHED NEARLY 900 STUDENTS IN CENTRAL OREGON THROUGH EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH PROGRAMS -COLLABORATION WITH THE CASCADE SCHOOL OF MUSIC IN THE PRESENTATION OF EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH PROGRAMS, WHICH INCLUDED OUR HIGHEST ATTENDED MASTER CLASS OFFERING

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 March 2008.

    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.