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Newport Festivals Foundation Inc

EIN 27-4099544 · Manchester, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceGood80 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

NEWPORT FESTIVAL FOUNDATION'S MISSION IS TO CREATE MOMENTS OF HOPE THROUGH THE POWER OF MUSIC AND COMMUNITY.

Income
$13.0 million
Spending
$13.0 million
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
23.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 67%
Employees
401
Volunteers
250
Highest pay
$353,392, board member/executive dir

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 23.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 7% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 80 out of 100. Higher than 7% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    21 of 21 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a 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.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 September 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. $5.3 million spent. IN 2025, THE NEWPORT FOLK FESTIVAL THE FESTIVAL WAS HELD AT FORT ADAMS STATE PARK FROM JULY 25-27. THE FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTED OVER 60 PERFORMANCES FROM BOTH NEW, UP AND COMING ARTISTS AND ESTABLISHED LEGENDS.
  2. $4.9 million spent. IN 2025, THE NEWPORT JAZZ FESTIVAL THE FESTIVAL WAS HELD AT FORT ADAMS STATE PARK FROM AUGUST 1-3. THE FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTED OVER 60 PERFORMANCES FROM BOTH NEW, UP AND COMING ARTISTS AND ESTABLISHED LEGENDS.
  3. $683,676 spent. IN 2025, NEWPORT FESTIVALS FOUNDATION CONTINUED TO GROW ITS YEAR-ROUND MUSIC EDUCATION PROGRAMMING. 2025 PROGRAMS INCLUDED FREE MUSIC LESSONS, SUMMER CAMPS, INSTRUMENT DONATIONS, FREE AFTER SCHOOL MUSIC PROGRAMS, MUSICIAN RELIEF FUNDS, AND PARTNERING WITH NEWPORT FESTIVALS ARTISTS TO CREATE CONTENT TO BE SHARED FREE OF CHARGE TO MUSIC EDUCATION PROGRAMS ACROSS THE COUNTRY. FREE FESTIVAL ACCESS WAS PROVIDED FOR SELECT LOCAL NONPROFITS, HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AND ALL CHILDREN UNDER 10.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 September 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 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 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.