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American Orff-Schulwerk Association

EIN 31-1110361 · Mayfield Hts, OH

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF AMERICAN ORFF-SHULWERK ASSOCIATION IS TO DEMONSTRATE THE VALUE OF ORFF-SCHULWERK AND PROMOTE ITS WIDESPREAD USE; TO SUPPORT THE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF OUR MEMBERS; AND TO INSPIRE AND ADVOCATE FOR THE CREATIVE POTENTIAL OF ALL LEARNERS.

Income
$863,211
Spending
$722,001
Spent on programs
80%
Reserves
29.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 49%
Employees
4
Volunteers
125
Highest pay
$70,000, executive di

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 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 29.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 16% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 7% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    80% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 78% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    18 of 18 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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

    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 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 (5)
  1. $394,241 spent. THE AMERICAN ORFF-SCHULWERK ASSOCIATION ANNUAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE OFFERS CONTINUING EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES TO AOSA MEMBERSHIP TO EXPAND THE TEACHING OF THE CREATIVE MUSIC AND MOVEMENT APPROACH DEVELOPED BY CARL ORFF AND GUNILD KEETMAN. PRESENTED ANNUALLY IN NOVEMBER, THE CONFERENCE HISTORICALLY SERVES MORE THAN 1,000 REGISTRANTS ATTENDING 70+ WORKSHOPS,PRESENTATIONS, AND PERFORMANCES. CONFERENCE ATTENDEES MAY ALSO VISIT MUSIC EDUCATION VENDORS TO LEARN MORE ABOUT PRODUCTS AND SERVICES RELATING TO ORFF SCHULWERK. THE FYE 2025 AOSA PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE WAS HELD IN DES MOINES. AOSA PROVIDES DIGITAL/VIRTUAL TRAINING AND RESOURCES VIA THE AOSA WEBSITE. AOSA IS COMMITTED TO SUPPORTING A DIVERSE AND INCLUSIVE MEMBERSHIP, PROMOTING AN UNDERSTANDING OF ISSUES OF DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION, AND PROVIDING TEACHING AND LEARNING RESOURCES THAT RESPECT, AFFIRM, AND PROTECT THE DIGNITY AND WORTH OF ALL. THE AMERICAN ORFF-SCHULWERK ASSOCIATION ANNUAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE OFFERS CONTINUING EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES TO AOSA MEMBERSHIP TO EXPAND THE TEACHING OF THE CREATIVE MUSIC AND MOVEMENT APPROACH DEVELOPED BY CARL ORFF AND GUNILD KEETMAN. PRESENTED ANNUALLY IN NOVEMBER, THE CONFERENCE HISTORICALLY SERVES MORE THAN 1,000 REGISTRANTS ATTENDING 70+ WORKSHOPS,PRESENTATIONS, AND PERFORMANCES. CONFERENCE ATTENDEES MAY ALSO VISIT MUSIC EDUCATION VENDORS TO LEARN MORE ABOUT PRODUCTS AND SERVICES RELATING TO ORFF SCHULWERK. THE FYE 2025 AOSA PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE WAS HELD IN DES MOINES. AOSA PROVIDES DIGITAL/VIRTUAL TRAINING AND RESOURCES VIA THE AOSA WEBSITE. AOSA IS COMMITTED TO SUPPORTING A DIVERSE AND INCLUSIVE MEMBERSHIP, PROMOTING AN UNDERSTANDING OF ISSUES OF DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION, AND PROVIDING TEACHING AND LEARNING RESOURCES THAT RESPECT, AFFIRM, AND PROTECT THE DIGNITY AND WORTH OF ALL.
  2. $30,427 spent. IN PARTNERSHIP WITH APPROXIMATELY 100 CHAPTERS, THE AMERICAN ORFF-SCHULWERK ASSOCIATION SUPPORTS WORKSHOPS THAT PROVIDE CONTINUING EDUCATION IN ORFF SCHULWERK. THESE 250+ ANNUAL WORKSHOPS ARE PRESENTED BY APPROVED AOSA MEMBERS. ADDITIONALLY, AOSA PROVIDES ENDORSEMENT TO MORE THAN 50 CONTINUING EDUCATION/CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS PRESENTED BY COLLEGES, UNIVERSITIES, SCHOOL DISTRICTS, AND AOSA CHAPTERS. A STANDING AOSA-APPROVED CURRICULUM AND AOSA-SANCTIONED INSTRUCTORS ARE USED BY THESE PROGRAMS TO ENSURE MEMBERSHIP RECEIVES CONSISTENT AND EQUAL TRAINING IN THE APPROACH WHICH CAN ULTIMATELY LEAD TO AOSA CERTIFICATION UPON COMPLETION OF THE THREE LEVELS OF CURRICULUM. AOSA ALSO PROVIDES MEMBERS ACCESS TO A RESOURCE LIBRARY CONTAINING VARIOUS RECORDINGS, ARTICLES, LESSON PLANS,AND RESOURCES RELATING TO TEACHING ORFF SCHULWERK IN VARIOUS SETTINGS. THROUGH SEVERAL ENDOWMENTS AND ORGANIZATIONAL MONIES, GRANTS ARE OFFERED TO AOSA MEMBERS TO SUPPORT ATTENDANCE AT LEVELS COURSES OR INTERNATIONAL ORFF SCHULWERK TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES, INSTRUMENT PURCHASE FOR THE CLASSROOM USE, AND RESEARCH ACTIVITIES. FINALLY, AOSA CHAPTERS QUALIFY FOR GRANTS RELATING TO THEIR GROWTH AND NEEDS IN PRESENTING THE SCHULWERK IN THEIR COMMUNITY IN PARTNERSHIP WITH APPROXIMATELY 100 CHAPTERS, THE AMERICAN ORFF-SCHULWERK ASSOCIATION SUPPORTS WORKSHOPS THAT PROVIDE CONTINUING EDUCATION IN ORFF SCHULWERK. THESE 250+ ANNUAL WORKSHOPS ARE PRESENTED BY APPROVED AOSA MEMBERS. ADDITIONALLY, AOSA PROVIDES ENDORSEMENT TO MORE THAN 50 CONTINUING EDUCATION/CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS PRESENTED BY COLLEGES, UNIVERSITIES, SCHOOL DISTRICTS, AND AOSA CHAPTERS. A STANDING AOSA-APPROVED CURRICULUM AND AOSA-SANCTIONED INSTRUCTORS ARE USED BY THESE PROGRAMS TO ENSURE MEMBERSHIP RECEIVES CONSISTENT AND EQUAL TRAINING IN THE APPROACH WHICH CAN ULTIMATELY LEAD TO AOSA CERTIFICATION UPON COMPLETION OF THE THREE LEVELS OF CURRICULUM. AOSA ALSO PROVIDES MEMBERS ACCESS TO A RESOURCE LIBRARY CONTAINING VARIOUS RECORDINGS, ARTICLES, LESSON PLANS,AND RESOURCES RELATING TO TEACHING ORFF SCHULWERK IN VARIOUS SETTINGS. THROUGH SEVERAL ENDOWMENTS AND ORGANIZATIONAL MONIES, GRANTS ARE OFFERED TO AOSA MEMBERS TO SUPPORT ATTENDANCE AT LEVELS COURSES OR INTERNATIONAL ORFF SCHULWERK TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES, INSTRUMENT PURCHASE FOR THE CLASSROOM USE, AND RESEARCH ACTIVITIES. FINALLY, AOSA CHAPTERS QUALIFY FOR GRANTS RELATING TO THEIR GROWTH AND NEEDS IN PRESENTING THE SCHULWERK IN THEIR COMMUNITY
  3. $131,547 spent. PUBLICATIONS BY THE AMERICAN ORFF-SCHULWERK ASSOCIATION PROVIDE ON-GOING MATERIALS, RESEARCH, AND INFORMATION TO PROMOTE THE ORFF SCHULWERK APPROACH TO MUSIC AND MOVEMENT EDUCATION. THE PRINT PUBLICATION, THE ORFF ECHO IS A QUARTERLY JOURNAL DEDICATED TO PROVIDING RESEARCH AND PRACTICAL KNOWLEDGE RELATING TO MUSIC EDUCATION THROUGH THE SCHULWERK. REVERBERATIONS IS A BI-MONTHLY ELECTRONIC NEWSLETTER CONTAINING LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR CLASSROOM AND COMMUNITY USE. A MONTHLY NEWSLETTER, THE AOSA ESSENTIALS, KEEPS MEMBERS INFORMED OF ORGANIZATIONAL ACTIVITIES WHILE THE AOSA WEBSITE/APP/SOCIAL MEDIA OFFERS TIMELY AND RELEVANT INFORMATION TO MEMBERSHIP AND THE GREATER COMMUNITY REGARDING ORFF SCHULWERK AND MUSIC EDUCATION. ADDITIONAL STAND-ALONE PUBLICATIONS ARE ALSO PRODUCED TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF PROMOTING ORFF SCHULWERK TO THE GREATER COMMUNITY. PUBLICATIONS BY THE AMERICAN ORFF-SCHULWERK ASSOCIATION PROVIDE ON-GOING MATERIALS, RESEARCH, AND INFORMATION TO PROMOTE THE ORFF SCHULWERK APPROACH TO MUSIC AND MOVEMENT EDUCATION. THE PRINT PUBLICATION, THE ORFF ECHO IS A QUARTERLY JOURNAL DEDICATED TO PROVIDING RESEARCH AND PRACTICAL KNOWLEDGE RELATING TO MUSIC EDUCATION THROUGH THE SCHULWERK. REVERBERATIONS IS A BI-MONTHLY ELECTRONIC NEWSLETTER CONTAINING LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR CLASSROOM AND COMMUNITY USE. A MONTHLY NEWSLETTER, THE AOSA ESSENTIALS, KEEPS MEMBERS INFORMED OF ORGANIZATIONAL ACTIVITIES WHILE THE AOSA WEBSITE/APP/SOCIAL MEDIA OFFERS TIMELY AND RELEVANT INFORMATION TO MEMBERSHIP AND THE GREATER COMMUNITY REGARDING ORFF SCHULWERK AND MUSIC EDUCATION. ADDITIONAL STAND-ALONE PUBLICATIONS ARE ALSO PRODUCED TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF PROMOTING ORFF SCHULWERK TO THE GREATER COMMUNITY.
  4. $19,203 spent. RESEARCH GRANT THE RESEARCH GRANT ENCOURAGES RESEARCH IN VARIED APPLICATIONS OF ORFF SCHULWERK, PROMOTING THE ORFF SCHULWERK PHILOSOPHY AND PROCESS. AWARDS UP TO 8,000 MAY BE GRANTED FOR SELECTED RESEARCH PROPOSALS. RESEARCH PARTNERSHIP GRANT THE RESEARCH PARTNERSHIP GRANT ENCOURAGES COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH PROJECTS BETWEEN A SCHOOL MUSIC TEACHER AS THE PRIMARY INVESTIGATOR/TEAM LEADER AND A UNIVERSITY-BASED RESEARCHING TEACHER. AOSA'S BLACK,BROWN, INDIGENOUS, AND ASIAN OUTREACH SCHOLARSHIP PROVIDES UP TO 1,400 FUNDING FOR A PERSON OF A THESE BACKGROUNDS TO ATTEND THE AOSA PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE TO RECEIVE TRAINING IN ORFF-SCHULWERK.
  5. RESEARCH GRANT THE RESEARCH GRANT ENCOURAGES RESEARCH IN VARIED APPLICATIONS OF ORFF SCHULWERK, PROMOTING THE ORFF SCHULWERK PHILOSOPHY AND PROCESS. AWARDS UP TO 8,000 MAY BE GRANTED FOR SELECTED RESEARCH PROPOSALS. RESEARCH PARTNERSHIP GRANT THE RESEARCH PARTNERSHIP GRANT ENCOURAGES COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH PROJECTS BETWEEN A SCHOOL MUSIC TEACHER AS THE PRIMARY INVESTIGATOR/TEAM LEADER AND A UNIVERSITY-BASED RESEARCHING TEACHER. AOSA'S BLACK,BROWN, INDIGENOUS, AND ASIAN OUTREACH SCHOLARSHIP PROVIDES UP TO 1,400 FUNDING FOR A PERSON OF A THESE BACKGROUNDS TO ATTEND THE AOSA PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE TO RECEIVE TRAINING IN ORFF-SCHULWERK.

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 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 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 July 1991.

    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.