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Cleveland Classical Guitar Society

EIN 27-2319077 · Euclid, OH

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair59 out of 100GovernanceStrong97 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

CLEVELAND CLASSICAL GUITAR SOCIETY'S MISSION: TEACH, INSPIRE, CONNECT.TEACH- CCGS CREATES LIFE-CHANGING EXPERIENCES FOR CLEVELAND'S KIDS. INSPIRE-CCGS PRESENTS THE WORLD'S GREATEST PERFORMERS. CONNECT-CCGS PROVIDES MEANINFUL CONNECTIONS BETWEEN PEOPLE.

Income
$506,030
Spending
$593,215
Spent on programs
69%
Reserves
10 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 66%
Employees
8
Volunteers
15
Highest pay
$91,688, executive 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

Fair: 59 out of 100. Higher than 27% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 10.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 29% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 17% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 38% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    69% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 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: 97 out of 100. Higher than 91% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 7 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

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • 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. $358,213 spent. CLEVELAND CLASSICAL GUITAR SOCIETY OFFERS A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUTH IN THE CITY OF CLEVELAND TO LEARN HOW TO PLAY GUITAR FROM EXCEPTIONAL TEACHERS. THE EDUCATION PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO FIGHT INEQUITIES AND REDUCE BARRIERS TO INSTRUCTION FOR KIDS, PROVIDING THEM WITH CURRICULA, GUITARS AND MORE AT NO COST TO THE STUDENTS OR THEIR FAMILIES. IN FISCAL YEAR 2025, 100 STUDENTS RECEIVED IN-DEPTH, ONGOING INSTRUCTION IN CLASSES AND LESSONS. STUDENTS PERFORMED AS OPENERS FOR ALL SIX INTERNATIONAL SERIES CONCERTS AS WELL AS MAJOR AREA EVENTS. ALLTOGETHER, STUDENTS AND ALUMNI GAVE 36 PERFORMANCES FOR NEARLY 3,000 AUDIENCE MEMBERS.
  2. $48,593 spent. THE INTERNATIONAL SERIES PRESENTS THE WORLD'S GREATEST CLASSICAL GUITARISTS, WITH PERFORMERS NOW REPRESENTING 26 COUNTRIES AND 36 CLEVELAND DEBUTS. THE PERFORMERS ALSO WORK WITH CCGS STUDENTS, SHARING MUSICAL INSIGHTS AND EXPERIENCES. IN FISCAL YEAR 2025, THE INTERNATIONAL SERIES PLUS A SPECIAL COLLABORATIVE CONCERT AND CCGS'S NEW JAZZ CONCERTS SERVED 1,744 PEOPLE THROUGH PERFORMANCES, MASTER CLASSES, AND OUTREACH FOR STUDENTS IN CCGS'S EDUCATION PROGRAM.

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 January 2011.

    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.