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Wisconsin Conservatory of Music Inc

EIN 39-0915050 · Milwaukee, WI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood73 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Raising each dollar of donations cost 98 cents.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

INSPIRING INDIVIDUALS AND COMMUNITIES THROUGH EXCEPTIONAL MUSIC EDUCATION, ACCESSIBLE TO ALL.

Income
$4.7 million
Spending
$4.8 million
Spent on programs
71%
Reserves
18 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 65%
Employees
138
Volunteers
50
Highest pay
$230,183, ceo/president

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

Good: 73 out of 100. Higher than 51% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 18.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 7% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 0% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    71% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 98 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

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 49% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    18 of 18 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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 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 (1)
  1. $3.4 million spent. THE WISCONSIN CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC STRIVES TO PROVIDE THE FINEST MUSIC EDUCATION EXPERIENCE FOR BOTH PROFESSIONALS AND BEGINNERS ALIKE. WITH 125 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE, THREE BRANCH LOCATIONS AND A HIGHLY KNOWLEDGEABLE FACULTY, WE HAVE THE SKILLS TO HELP OUR STUDENTS EXCEL AND REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL. THE CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC SEEKS TO PROVIDE A CONTINUUM OF LEARNING FOR OUR STUDENTS. THE PATHWAY BEGINS WITH EARLY CHILDHOOD MUSIC EXPLORATIONS, AND CONTINUES THROUGH DISCOVERIES CLASSES, CLASSES FOR KIDS AND THEN ON TO INDIVIDUAL INSTRUCTION, CHAMBER GROUPS, ENSEMBLES, AND CAMPS. CONSERVATORY CONNECTIONS DELIVERS MUSIC PROGRAMS, CURRICULUM ANDCLASSROOM SUPPORT TO MANY PUBLIC, PRIVATE, CHARTER AND CHOICE SCHOOLS IN THE METRO-MILWAUKEE AREA, AS WELL AS COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS THROUGHOUT GREATER MILWAUKEE. OUR FACULTY TRAVEL TO CLASSROOMS WITH WORKSHOPS, CLINICS AND FULL ACADEMIC YEAR MUSIC PROGRAMMING.

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 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 August 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 September 1953.

    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.