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Flint Institute of Music

EIN 38-6159482 · Flint, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair59 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TRANSFORMING LIVES THROUGH A LIFELONG CONTINUUM OF WORLD-CLASS MUSIC, THEATRE, AND DANCE.

Income
$15.9 million
Spending
$16.8 million
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
1.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 34%
Employees
646
Volunteers
203
Highest pay
$243,240, president/ceo

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

Financial health

Fair: 59 out of 100. Higher than 26% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 6% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 1% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 15 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 34% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    21 of 21 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

    5 of 5

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

  • 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 May 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 (2)
  1. $3.7 million spent. The largest community school of the arts in Michigan, serving nearly 4,000 students annually, FIM Flint School of Performing Arts provides a welcoming, nurturing environment where students of all ages and stages can discover their own unique path in their study of the performing arts. Home to more than a dozen performance ensembles, including the Flint Youth Theatre, Flint Youth Symphony Orchestra, and Flint Youth Ballet, FSPA gives more than 200 recitals, concerts and performances throughout the year.
  2. $10.9 million spent. Flint Institute of Music (FIM) is a multi-disciplinary performing arts organization transforming the community through the power of the performing arts. Offering a wide range of performances, artistic programs include FIM Flint Symphony Orchestra, one of the longest continually performing orchestras in the country; FIM Flint Repertory Theatre, the lone professional theater for more than 70 miles; and a presenting series of national and international performing artists at FIM Capitol Theatre and FIM Whiting Auditorium. In addition, FIM provides an extensive array of community education and engagement opportunities such as Music Around Town, the Troubadours and an annual school day performance series for students. FIM operates five distinctive performance venues, four situated on the Flint Cultural Center Campus Whiting Auditorium, Elgood Theatre, Bower Theatre, MacArthur Recital Hall at FIM Dort Music Center, and the recently renovated, historic Capitol Theatre is in downtown Flint. FIM venues host its own artistic productions, hundreds of student recitals, community rentals and touring presentations from all over the world. Together FIM programs reach more than 300,000 people annually through lessons, classes, outreach programs, performances, and concerts. Dedicated to serving every (potential) patron with dignity and respect, FIM maintains partnerships with more than six dozen community organizations who help us provide the transformative power of the arts for all of Flint.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending May 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since March 1971.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.