Greater Cincinnati Blues Society Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
To preserve and promote blues music, an indigenous American art form.
- Income
- $25,885
- Spending
- $22,930
- Reserves
- 5.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 44%
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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)
- $15,025 spent. Summer Blues Fest was a 1 day outdoor festival featuring local, regional, and national blues acts. The 2024 festival was a 5-hour event featuring 3 national acts, 3 regional act, 3 local acts, and a performance by our Blues In The Schools youth band (a product of youth programming provided by the Blues Society)
- $1,500 spent. The Cincy Blues Challenge is a juried band competition with 2 categories: Solo/Duo and Band. The winners of each category win the right to represent the Greater Cincinnati area at the International Blues Challenge held in Memphis, TN. Additionally, the winners of each category receive a stipend to help offset the cost of travel.
- $2,479 spent. Website and Social Media. The Cincy Blues Society hosts a website with original content for members and guests. The society also maintains a calendar of local, regional, and national blues acts touring through the region that can be updated by members and bands. Additionally, the society sends out weekly email blues blasts to subscribers with listings of upcoming blues events and regional festivals. lastly, the Society maintains a presence on Facebook for direct contact with the general public.
- Blues In The Schools - A program where the Cincy Blues Society pays local blues artists to present a history of the blues through oratory and musical demonstrations. Presentations take place in schools, libraries, civic centers, and other public places.
- Music on the Square - A partnership with the Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Council (3CDC) to present 22 free concerts in Downtown Cincinnati during the 2024 summer. Concerts were presented each Wednesday at either Washington Park or Fountain Square. The Blues Society acted as sponsor, promoter, producer, and booking agent.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 December 2024.
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 July 1992.
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 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.