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Shelter Music Boston Inc

EIN 27-4269849 · Brookline, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood71 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Only 42% of its spending went to programs.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

SHELTER MUSIC BOSTON PRESENTS CLASSICAL CHAMBER MUSIC CONCERTS, OF THE HIGHEST ARTISTIC STANDARDS, IN HOMELESS SHELTERS AND OTHER SHELTERING ENVIRONMENTS. OUR GOAL IS TO PROMOTE COMMUNITY, CREATIVE INTERACTION, RESPECT, AND THERAPEUTIC BENEFIT. WE BELIEVE ALL PEOPLE DESERVE ACCESS TO THE DIGNITY, CREATIVITY, AND PASSION OF CLASSICAL MUSIC WHETHER OR NOT THEY HAVE A HOME.

Income
$321,665
Spending
$324,751
Spent on programs
42%
Reserves
8.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 91%
Employees
8
Volunteers
20
Highest pay
$54,601, managing director

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

Financial health

Good: 71 out of 100. Higher than 44% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 40% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    42% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 39 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 91 out of 100. Higher than 79% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 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

    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 December 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 (1)
  1. $137,792 spent. SHELTER MUSIC BOSTON (SMB) DELIVERED 111CONCERT PROGRAMSIN 2025ACROSS OUR PARTNER SITES. PROGRAM SITES INCLUDED CASPAR EMERGENCY SHELTER IN CAMBRIDGE,COMMUNITY TEAMWORK INC. IN LOWELL, HILDEBRAND FAMILY SELF-HELP CENTER IN CAMBRIDGE, HOMEOWNER'S REHAB INC. IN CAMBRIDGE, HOUSING FAMILIES IN MALDEN,NORTH COTTAGE IN NORTON, PINE STREET INN'S STABILIZATION PROGRAM IN JAMAICA PLAIN, SOUTHAMPTON STREET SHELTER IN BOSTON, AND WOODS MULLEN SHELTER IN BOSTON-ALL IN MASSACHUSETTS-FOR ADULTS AND CHILDREN IN NEED. THROUGH SURVEYS AFTER EVERY CONCERT, SMB HAS A TREASURE TROVE OF DOCUMENTATION OF THE POSITIVE IMPACT OF OUR PROGRAMS.AFTER A CONCERT AT HOMEOWNERS REHAB INC IN 2025, A LISTENER TOLD US,"EVERYTHING MADE ME FEEL I COULD FACE ANOTHER DAY, PAIN OR NOT. THANK YOU."

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 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 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 December 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 April 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.