Chamber Music Society of St Louis Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
World-class chamber music performed in an intimate setting to inspire, enchant audiences and nurture future generations of classical musicians.
- Income
- $547,398
- Spending
- $407,431
- Spent on programs
- 78%
- Reserves
- 15.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 50%
- Employees
- 3
- Volunteers
- 12
- Highest pay
- $72,333, executive & artistic 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
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 88% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 15.6 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 26% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 31% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1578% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 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
Good: 73 out of 100. Higher than 51% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2524 of 25 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (4)
- $237,933 spent. Our classical chamber music concerts serve audiences, without regard for any specific demographic profile. It is our purpose to make concerts suitable for a broad base of the population through engaging programming, superior performances, an accessible location and a casual setting. The organization performed 15 concerts during the year. More than 3,500 concert goers enjoyed our programs.
- $26,437 spent. CMSSL conducted 7 master classes this fiscal year. Instructors are CMSSL musicians, most of whom are also members of the St. Louis Symphony. Classes are free to St. Louis area students with participants from more than 30 St. Louis Metro area schools. The classes are free and open to the public. Each class can accommodate up to 7 participants as well as students to audit. All classes were at full capacity and served 175 total participants.
- $26,437 spent. CMSSL supported three chamber ensembles as part of the Young Chamber Artist program. Coaches and mentors are CMSSL musicians, most of whom are also members of the St. Louis Symphony. Students were also given the opportunity to perform in national chamber music competitions. The Rader Young Artists program served 125 students this year.
- $26,437 spent. During this fiscal year, the St. Louis Chamber Music Society entered into a partnership with Gateway Music Outreach. The Chamber Music Society's partnership with Gateway Music Outreach is providing ongoing musical education opportunities for lower income families, most of whom attend Title I schools. Instruction is divided between small ensemble coaching of 2-5 students and private lessons. There are also periodic performances for the local community featuring both Chamber Music Society Artists and the students that they have taught.
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
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.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Worth knowing.
Status was revoked on November 15, 2019 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on November 15, 2019.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 2026.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since October 2020.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.