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Pocono Mountains Music Festival

EIN 27-1440062 · Cresco, PA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood70 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF THE POCONO MOUNTAINS MUSIC FESTIVAL (THE "FESTIVAL") TOGETHER WITH ITS PERFORMING ARTS CAMP IS TO ENGAGE WORLD CLASS TALENT FROM ALL MUSICAL GENRES TO ENTERTAIN, ENRICH, AND EDUCATE. THE FESTIVAL WAS FOUNDED IN 2009 AS THE BUCK HILL SKYTOP MUSIC FESTIVAL TO OFFER MUSICAL AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING AS A UNIQUE CULTURAL RESOURCE FOR THE NORTHEAST PENNSYLVANIA REGION. IT SHOWCASES SEASONED PROFESSIONAL AND UP-AND-COMING PERFORMERS IN VARIOUS DISCIPLINES INCLUDING CABARET, JAZZ, DANCE, CHAMBER MUSIC, POP, COUNTRY, AND MUSICAL THEATRE. THE INTIMATE PERFORMANCE VENUES ALLOW AUDIENCES UNPARALLELED ACCESS TO WORLD RENOWNED MUSICIANS. THE FESTIVAL'S TUITION-FREE PERFORMING ARTS CAMP EXPERIENCE (THE "CAMP") AND OTHER EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS OFFER LOCAL STUDENTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO STUDY AND PERFORM WITH MUSIC AND THEATER PROFESSIONALS.

Income
$238,029
Spending
$232,807
Spent on programs
88%
Reserves
5.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 75%
Employees
0
Volunteers
24

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

Financial health

Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 43% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 39% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    88% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 92% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • 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.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 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 (2)
  1. $166,214 spent. FESTIVAL PERFORMANCES: OVER THE SUMMER, THE FESTIVAL PRESENTS NUMEROUS MUSICAL EVENTS FOR WHICH TICKETS ARE SOLD. THIS YEAR, OUR FOUR EVENTS INCLUDED THE SOUNDS OF THE 80S, A CABARET, A CLASSICAL SYMPHONY, AND OUR 16TH ANNIVERSARY TROP ROCK FUNDRAISER.
  2. $39,486 spent. PERFORMING ARTS CAMP: THE FESTIVAL INCLUDES A TWO WEEK TUITION -FREE PERFORMING ARTS CAMP FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AND IS HELD IN LATE JULY AS PART OF THE FESTIVAL. THE HIGHLIGHT OF EVERY SEASON IS OUR "CAMP SHOWCASE" ON THE FRIDAY EVENING AT THE CLOSE OF CAMP. OUR NEW CAMP DIRECTOR, KELLI RABKE, AN ACCLAIMED BROADWAY PERFORMER, ALONG WITH HER TEAM OF FIVE INSTRUCTORS TEACH THE STUDENTS TO SING, DANCE, AND PERFORM MUSICAL THEATER.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 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 August 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 August 2010.

    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.