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Solti Foundation

EIN 30-0004328 · Evanston, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood70 out of 100GovernanceFair62 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The Solti Foundation U.S. was established after the 1997 death of Sir Georg Solti. Its mission is to assist talented young American musicians at the start of their professional careers. It has made annual grants to awardees since 2003. Solti also provides Opera residencies and development projects to musicians

Income
$194,121
Spending
$234,109
Spent on programs
69%
Reserves
41.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 76%
Employees
1
Volunteers
30

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: 70 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 41.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 21% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 28% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    69% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Fair: 62 out of 100. Higher than 46% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    21 of 21 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no 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.

  • 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. $160,826 spent. Congratulations to all 18 recipients of the 2025 Career Assistance Awards! The Solti Foundation U.S. Board Chair Penny Van Horn and Artistic and Awards Committee Chair Elizabeth Buccheri today announced the young conductors who will receive a 2025 Career Assistance Award (CAA) in this, the Foundations 25th anniversary year. Among the 18 American conductors, all 36 years of age or younger, are a music director designate of an American orchestra, a founder and Music Director of an American chamber orchestra, a chief conductor of an Austrian orchestra, two Assistant Conductors at German opera companies, multiple Assistant Conductorships, and more. The conductors hold positions throughout the United States, in Austria, France, and Germany, as well as enjoying guest engagements around the globe. Of the 18 awardees, six of the young conductors are receiving recognition by the Foundation for the first time, while others are being acknowledged once again.Ms. Van Horn stated, The recipients of the 2025 Career Assistance Awards are a truly motivated group! From opera companies to orchestras, chamber orchestras and posts with universities and other educational organizations, to fellowships and serving as cover conductors for major American orchestras, this years applicants truly demonstrate the passion for classical music that our Foundations namesake embodied.On behalf of The Solti Foundation U.S., I am pleased to congratulate Harris Andersen, Austin Chanu, Michelle Di Russo, Stefano Flavoni, Kyrian Friedenberg, Alden Gatt, Yoona Jeong, Robert Kahn, Gerald Karni, Andrew J. Kim, Donald Lee, William Long, Ian Niederhoffer, Jacob Niemann, Luke Poeppel, Euan Shields, Matthew Straw, and William Garfield Walker. Congratulations!

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 July 2002.

    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.

  7. Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.

    A much larger organization has a similar name: Solaris Foundation Inc (Windermere, FL), EIN 45-5611172. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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.