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Midwest Clinic

EIN 36-2374225 · Woodridge, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair62 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MIDWEST CLINIC EXISTS TO RAISE THE STANDARDS OF MUSIC EDUCATION. WE SERVE THIS MISSION BY: (1) IMPROVING THE METHODS EMPLOYED IN MUSIC EDUCATION; (2) DEVELOPING NEW TEACHING TECHNIQUES; (3) ANALYZING AND APPRAISING LITERATURE CONCERNING MUSIC EDUCATION; (4) HOLDING CLINICS, LECTURES AND DEMONSTRATIONS FOR THE BETTERMENT OF MUSIC EDUCATION; AND (5) GENERALLY ASSISTING MUSIC TEACHERS IN THE PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE IN THEIR PROFESSION.

Income
$2.3 million
Spending
$2.3 million
Spent on programs
88%
Reserves
4.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 93%
Employees
0
Volunteers
19
Highest pay
$148,464, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 62 out of 100. Higher than 36% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 50% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    88% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 62% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    19 of 19 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

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 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 (1)
  1. $2.0 million spent. THE PRIMARY VEHICLE FOR ACCOMPLISHING THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION IS THE PREMIER SCHOLASTIC MUSIC EVENT IN NORTH AMERICA, THE MIDWEST CLINIC ("THE CLINIC"). THE FOUR-DAY ANNUAL EVENT INCLUDES DOZENS OF LIVE PERFORMANCES BY SCHOLASTIC GROUPS, MILITARY BANDS AND OTHER PROFESSIONAL ENSEMBLES AND LECTURES BY PROMINENT MUSIC EDUCATORS. THE CLINIC ATTRACTS OVER 17,000 MUSIC EDUCATORS AND MUSIC EDUCATION STUDENTS REPRESENTING ALL 50 STATES AND OVER 30 COUNTRIES. THE COMPETITION TO BE CHOSEN TO BE A CLINICIAN OR PERFORMING GROUP IS INTENSE. MAKING THE CUT AT THE CLINIC IS DEEMED TO BE A CAREER MILESTONE BY MOST EVERYONE IN OUR INDUSTRY. THE ORGANIZATION HAS DIRECTORS WHO EACH DEVOTE NOT LESS 20 HOURS EACH YEAR IN COMMITTEES LISTENING TO RECORDINGS OF ENSEMBLES, DISCUSSING THE PERFORMANCES AND CHOOSING GROUPS TO BE INVITED TO THE CLINIC. THE COMPETITION TO PERFORM AT THE CLINIC IS INTENSE. THE ORGANIZATION RECEIVES 10-15 SUBMISSIONS FOR EACH GROUP INVITED. THE ADJUDICATION SESSIONS ARE CONDUCTED IN CHICAGO IN MARCH OF EACH YEAR. DIRECTORS WHOSE GROUPS MAKE THE CUT ARE INVITED TO CHICAGO IN JUNE TO MEET THE BOARD, TOUR THE VENUE AND RECEIVE GUIDANCE ABOUT THE EVENT. PART OF THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION IS TO INTRODUCE MUSIC EDUCATORS TO AN EXCELLENT AND DIVERSE SELECTION OF PUBLISHED MUSIC. SELECTION IS BASED ON A VARIETY OF CRITERIA WITH AN EMPHASIS ON NEWLY PUBLISHED MUSIC FOR CONCERT BAND, JAZZ BAND, AND ORCHESTRA. EACH PERFORMING GROUP IS REQUIRED TO PERFORM PIECES FROM BEGINNING LEVEL TO THE HIGHEST DEGREE OF PERFORMANCE LEVEL FOR THEIR AGE GROUP.THE ORGANIZATION PRIDES ITSELF IN OFFERING HIGH QUALITY CONTINUING EDUCATION FOR MUSIC EDUCATORS. EACH YEAR, IT PRESENTS MORE THAN 90 SESSIONS AT THE CLINIC AT WHICH PROMINENT SCHOOL DIRECTORS, COLLEGE PROFESSORS, COMPOSERS AND PROFESSIONAL MUSICIANS SHARE THEIR WISDOM ON TOPICS RELEVANT TO MUSIC EDUCATORS. THE TOPICS REPRESENT A WIDE ARRAY OF SOLUTIONS FACED BY MUSIC EDUCATORS FROM THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL LEVEL TO THE UNIVERSITY LEVEL. EACH YEAR THE CLINIC COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD REVIEWS AND SELECTS THE APPROPRIATE SESSION TOPICS AND PRESENTERS.ATTENDEES AND BOARD MEMBERS ARE ASKED TO SUBMIT CANDIDATES FOR RECOGNITION AT THE CLINIC IN THESE CATEGORIES: MUSIC INDUSTRY AWARD, INTERNATIONAL AWARD, AND MEDAL OF HONOR. THESE AWARDS ARE PRESENTED DURING THE THE CLINIC TO RECOGNIZE INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE MADE MAJOR CONTRIBUTIONS TO INSTRUMENT MUSIC EDUCATION.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 December 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 April 1955.

    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.