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Friends of Music Hall

EIN 31-1353951 · Cincinnati, OH

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair69 out of 100GovernanceGood79 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PRESERVE, PROMOTE, IMPROVE & PROVIDE EDUCATION ABOUT CINCINNATI MUSIC HALL IN ORDER TO PERPETUATE IT AS THE PREMIER CULTURAL CENTER OF THE REGION, AND AS A NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK OF INTERNATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE.

Income
$1.8 million
Spending
$593,900
Spent on programs
77%
Reserves
0.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 88%
Employees
0
Volunteers
65
Highest pay
$50,028, executive director

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

Financial health

Fair: 69 out of 100. Higher than 45% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 66% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 121% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    77% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 cents.

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

Governance

Good: 79 out of 100. Higher than 30% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    28 of 28 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a 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.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    9 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 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 (3)
  1. $169,261 spent. THROUGH WEEKLY GUIDED TOURS, COMMUNITY TALKS, AND ENGAGING CHILDREN'S PROGRAMMING, FRIENDS OF MUSIC HALL EDUCATES APPROXIMATELY 5,000 GUESTS ANNUALLY ON THE HISTORY, ARCHITECTURE AND CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE OF MUSIC HALL. WE ACTIVELY PROMOTE THE VITAL PROGRAMS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE FRIENDS OF MUSIC HALL THROUGH OUR QUARTERLY E-NEWSLETTER, SOCIAL MEDIA, AND WEBSITE. WE HOLD AN ANNUAL MEETING TO EDUCATE MEMBERS ABOUT PROGRAMS AND CAPITAL PROJECTS.
  2. $131,204 spent. FRIENDS OF MUSIC HALL IS DEDICATED TO PRESERVING AND IMPROVING MUSIC HALL BY IDENTIFYING CRITICAL RESTORATION NEEDS, PROVIDING FUNDING AND MANAGING THEM TO COMPLETION. PROJECTS INCLUDED: BALCONY DOORS: RESTORED THE ORIGINAL 12-FOOT OAK DOUBLE DOORS. ARCHIVAL ROOM: RENOVATED THE SPACE AND INSTALLED PERMANENT ARCHIVAL SHELVING.FOYER FLOOR: PATCHED AND TOUCHED UP THE ORIGINAL RED SLATE AND WHITE MARBLE FLOORING.
  3. $156,484 spent. PRESERVE, PROMOTE, AND PROVIDE EDUCATION ABOUT THE MIGHTY WURLITZER ORGAN. THROUGH YEAR-ROUND LIVE CONCERTS, INTERACTIVE TOURS, AND SPECIALIZED PROGRAMS SUCH AS BLINK IN THE BALLROOM 2024 FEATURING BOTH LIVE AND RECORDED MUSIC, WE SHOWCASE THE ORGAN'S UNIQUE SOUND AND ITS ENDURING LEGACY.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 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 November 6, 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 August 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 March 1993.

    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 November 4, 2026.

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