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Artichoke Community Music

EIN 36-4591261 · Portland, OR

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceFair64 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Artichoke Music's goal is to create an environment for learning and enjoying folk music by making it accessible to everyone. ACM teaches and celebrates music and cultural expressions rooted in the traditions of diverse American and global communities. Our goals include expanding our music and education programs for school-aged children, seniors and other under-served communities. In order to preserve and celebrate the folk music tradition, we also must support new aspiring musicians and introduce the community to professional musicians who make their living through music. In this way, we also support musicians who struggle to keep this art alive.

Income
$425,672
Spending
$403,913
Spent on programs
81%
Reserves
1.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 66%
Employees
5
Volunteers
29

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

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 48% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 8% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 18% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    81% 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

Fair: 64 out of 100. Higher than 37% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 8 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (4)
  1. $102,392 spent. Live Music Series: Artichoke Music provides Artichoke afternoons, geared to the older population and limited income. Open mics, jams and song circles encourage those just starting out to gain confidence and grow which included queer open mic for the queer community and allies plus HipHop open mic for all ages. Also Artichoke began a new collaboration with a Gen Z council curating showcases featuring up and coming singer-songwriters plus collaborations with other music related not for profits. We also added a monthly Song Circle welcoming back legendary songwriters from the Artichoke community. Finally, included in 2024 was Taborgrass, a day long education opportunity and live music event.
  2. $22,835 spent. Community Outreach and School: One of the strengths of the organization is the opportunity to learn by volunteering. We welcome all ages, races and abilities with many positions that help train for jobs, or build confidence including programs in sound and video productions, customer service as he door greeter, in bar service or in public speaking as a show host. The curriculum was reenergized, with added teachers and marketing efforts. There were workshops with noted national and international performers.
  3. $54,873 spent. Instrument Store: ACH specializes in stringed acoustic instruments and often have unique and hard to find merchandise. Much of our inventory is either donated or brought to us on consignment and represents cultures from around the world as well as from different areas of the country. During 2024 there were increased market efforts including an effort to increase sales on the website.
  4. $147,852 spent. Artichoke Community Music had shared program expenses throughout 2024.

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 2024.

    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 August 2007.

    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.