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Kidznotes

EIN 27-0446845 · Durham, NC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak42 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

KIDZNOTES EMPOWERS YOUTH THROUGH MUSIC EDUCATION, FOSTERING PERSONAL GROWTH, DEEPENING COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, AND DRIVING SOCIAL CHANGE.

Income
$625,090
Spending
$820,819
Spent on programs
60%
Reserves
0.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 88%
Employees
28
Volunteers
25
Highest pay
$111,830, executive di

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

Weak: 42 out of 100. Higher than 12% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 9% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 31% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 5% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    60% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 36 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 95% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 14 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 (1)
  1. $493,081 spent. KIDZNOTES IS A MUSIC FOR SOCIAL CHANGE PROGRAM BASED ON THE EL SISTEMA INTERNATIONAL MODEL OF YOUTH ORCHESTRAS. OUR PROGRAM ENROLLS STUDENTS OF TITLE I SCHOOLS IN FIRST THROUGH TWELFTH GRADE IN AN OUT-OF-SCHOOL MUSIC PROGRAM THAT INCLUDES INSTRUMENTAL PROVISION AND INSTRUCTIONS, ORCHESTRA, BAND, CHAMBER ENSEMBLE COACHING AND GENERAL MUSIC CLASSES OF BEGINNING, INTERMEDIATE AND ADVANCED PROFICIENCY LEVELS, TUITION-FREE FOR FAMILIES. KIDZNOTES USES MUSIC EDUCATION TO PROVIDE STUDENTS WITH THE STRUCTURE, RESPONSIBILITY, AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR SUCCESS THAT HELP TO BUILD TRANSFERABLE SKILLS. OUR TOOL IS MUSIC; OUR GOAL IS TO BUILD THE NEXT GENERATION OF COMMUNITY LEADERS. STUDENTS ATTENDING DURHAM PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND SEVERAL PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS IN THE NORTH CAROLINA TRIANGLE AREA WHOSE FAMILIES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THE NCDPI FREE & REDUCED PRICE SCHOOL MEALS PROGRAM RECEIVE PRIORITY ACCEPTANCE INTO THE KIDZNOTES PROGRAM. OUR PROGRAM PROVIDES SERVICES TO STUDENTS FROM UNDER RESOURCED COMMUNITIES IN THE DURHAM AND SURROUNDING TRIANGLE AREA OF NORTH CAROLINA. KIDZNOTES IS A MUSIC FOR SOCIAL CHANGE PROGRAM BASED ON THE EL SISTEMA INTERNATIONAL MODEL OF YOUTH ORCHESTRAS. OUR PROGRAM ENROLLS STUDENTS OF TITLE I SCHOOLS IN FIRST THROUGH TWELFTH GRADE IN AN OUT-OF-SCHOOL MUSIC PROGRAM THAT INCLUDES INSTRUMENTAL PROVISION AND INSTRUCTIONS, ORCHESTRA, BAND, CHAMBER ENSEMBLE COACHING AND GENERAL MUSIC CLASSES OF BEGINNING, INTERMEDIATE AND ADVANCED PROFICIENCY LEVELS, TUITION-FREE FOR FAMILIES. KIDZNOTES USES MUSIC EDUCATION TO PROVIDE STUDENTS WITH THE STRUCTURE, RESPONSIBILITY, AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR SUCCESS THAT HELP TO BUILD TRANSFERABLE SKILLS. OUR TOOL IS MUSIC; OUR GOAL IS TO BUILD THE NEXT GENERATION OF COMMUNITY LEADERS. STUDENTS ATTENDING DURHAM PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND SEVERAL PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS IN THE NORTH CAROLINA TRIANGLE AREA WHOSE FAMILIES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THE NCDPI FREE & REDUCED PRICE SCHOOL MEALS PROGRAM RECEIVE PRIORITY ACCEPTANCE INTO THE KIDZNOTES PROGRAM. OUR PROGRAM PROVIDES SERVICES TO STUDENTS FROM UNDER RESOURCED COMMUNITIES IN THE DURHAM AND SURROUNDING TRIANGLE AREA OF NORTH CAROLINA.

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 October 13, 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 October 2009.

    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 October 21, 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.