For the Song Charitable Fund
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
To promote and provide support for touring musicians to play multiple private and public shows in Northern Nevada and, in future, other Mountain West communities. The music business model for lesser-known but nationally-touring and critically acclaimed artists has been severely impacted by streaming, making live performance the only realistic revenue anchor. Radius clauses and tight margins at financially-challenged public venues force superb artists to skip these markets OR to generate disappointing revenues that barely cover their costs. For the Song promotes FREE shows at private residential communities that then subsidize public venue offers -- delivering profitable multi-show visits in the community. Every dollar we generate for Artists before or doing every show goes to the artist, as we take on promotion, lodging, hospitality, production and artist curation via the fund, delivering great artistry that might not otherwise stop in communities of 200-500K population bases.
- Income
- $146,155
- Spending
- $112,707
- Reserves
- 10.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 62%
- Highest pay
- $16,011, president, treasurer
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 73% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 10.5 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 8% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 23% of income.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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, 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)
- $5,386 spent. In 2025, we hosted 9 different outstanding Artist Visits and promoted 23 shows -- 14 in public venues subsidized by 9 private shows. Artists left with no costs for housing, production, hospitality or promotion AND received an average of $7444 in fees from private donations and public venue contracts, dwarfing previous stops in Reno. Additionally, we signed two private clubs in addition to The Club at ArrowCreek for 2026 -- Montreux and Rancharrah clubs. We have been on radio and television, been invited on multiple podcasts and will be "keynote" speaking at the regions' Club Manager's Association of America in mid-may. Our club partners see increased membership satisfaction and NO increase in costs due to For the Song's model. This year we plan for 13 artist visits and over 30 shows promoted. Please note that in prior years we ran operations through the Community Foundation of Northern Nevada -- their 990 would have reported on all 2024 and a few tests in 2023 -- all Revenues and Expenses went directly through the Community Foundation. For "Grants and Allocations," I added Hospitality and Housing ($11,729) to the number previously described by Artist. Production was handled in the "Contractors" number. Additional Direct Program Service Expenses: Show/Artist Promotion: $5386
- We have established superb relationships with a number of public venues, including Nashville Social Club, Piper's Opera House, Red Dog Saloon, Valhalla Tahoe, The Alpine, Reno Public Market, Loud as Folk/Nevada Museum of Art.
- We have established a relationship with the University of Nevada Reno and work with 6 students as Reynolds School of Journalism interns. We get great work and creativity, educate future leaders and develop content for Artists free to them.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 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? 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 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 February 2025.
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.