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Wausau Conservatory of Music Inc

EIN 39-1391008 · Wausau, WI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceGood87 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF THE WAUSAU CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC IS TO PROVIDE EXCEPTIONAL MUSIC EDUCATION AND PERFORMANCES THAT ENRICH THE LIVES OF STUDENTS, FAMILIES, FACULTY AND THE COMMUNITY.

Income
$782,236
Spending
$909,895
Spent on programs
69%
Reserves
15.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 73%
Employees
31
Volunteers
45
Highest pay
$43,005, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 63% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 15.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 16% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    69% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 30 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 87 out of 100. Higher than 76% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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)
  1. $611,511 spent. THE WAUSAU CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC IS A COMMUNITY MUSIC SCHOOL SERVING THE CENTRAL WISCONSIN COMMUNITY SINCE 1981. FOR FY ENDING 6/30/2025, THE SCHOOL'S 22 HIGHLY QUALIFIED MUSIC FACULTY TAUGHT 6836.42 HOURS OF PRIVATE LESSONS TO 373 INDIVIDUAL STUDENTS (COMPARED TO 338 STUDENTS ENROLLED IN PRIVATE/INDIVIDUAL LESSONS FOR THE SAME SEMESTER IN 2024). THIS IS OUR PRIMARY INTERACTION WITH THE COMMUNITY AND OF THESE STUDENTS, BETWEEN 15-18% RECEIVE TUITION ASSISTANCE IN ACCORDANCE WITH HUD STANDARDS FOR INCOME AND HOUSEHOLD SIZE. OUR POLICIES AND APPLICATIONS ARE AVAILABLE IN ENGLISH, SPANISH, KOREAN, AND HMONG TO PROMOTE EQUAL ACCESS TO TUITION ASSISTANCE.INCLUDED IN PROGRAM EXPENSES ARE FACULTY WAGES FOR ALL CLASSES, MATERIALS/MARKETING/HOSPITALITY/HOUSING/MILEAGE, INSURANCE/TAX WITHHOLDING/FICA/ PROFESSIONAL TRAINING, WHILE WE DO NOT CURRENTLY HAVE A GRANT TO FUND ASSISTANCE, WE HAVE ANNUAL FUNDRAISERS AND DONORS GIVE TO THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF NORTH CENTRAL WISCONSIN. ALL NAMED SCHOLARSHIPS ARE DISTRIBUTED ACCORDING TO THE CHARTERS. PROGRAM GRANT EXPENSES INCLUDE $90559 FROM THE BADGER BOUNCEBACK FEDERAL GRANT AND $3000 FROM THE GREEN BAY PACKER FOUNDATION.
  2. $17,012 spent. ROCK INFUSED ORCHESTRA IS A ONE-DAY PROGRAM THAT SERVES 240+ ORCHESTRA STUDENTS FROM GRADES 6-12 IN MARATHON & PORTAGE COUNTIES. ADDITIONALLY, THIS PROGRAM ENGAGES OVER 30 FACULTY AND STAFF AND OVER 850 AUDIENCE MEMBERS DURING THE 1-DAY EVENT FOR A TOTAL IMPACT OF 1,080. ALL STUDENTS IN THE PROGRAM ATTEND FOR FREE AND RECEIVE ADDITIONAL STUDY MATERIALS, LUNCH, SNACKS, AND SUPPLIES. OUR FEDERAL SUPPORT GRANT COVERED FOOD AND THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES OF AN OUTSIDE LLC TO OPERATE THE CONCERT AND BREAK-OUT SESSIONS AT WAUSAU WEST HS. INCREDIBLE BANK SUPPORTED THE EVENT BY BEING A TITLE SPONSOR.
  3. $2,535 spent. MUSICAL STORYTIME IS A FREE PROGRAM PROVIDED TO CHILDREN IN THE MARATHON COUNTY HEAD START PROGRAM. THESE CHILDREN ARE AT OR BELOW THE FEDERAL POVERTY LINE, HOMELESS, OR ORPHANS. ONCE A MONTH, WAUSAU CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC SUZUKI UPPER STRING TEACHER, ROCHELLE PEARSON, VISITS THE CLASSROOMS IN THE PROGRAM AND READS THE STUDENTS A MUSIC-RELATED BOOK. THESE STORIES ARE INTENDED TO REACH BEYOND JUST MUSICAL FICTION AND ALSO TEACH STUDENTS ABOUT RESILIENCE, INDEPENDENCE, AND CONFIDENCE. EVERY SINGLE STUDENT IN THE PROGRAM RECEIVED BOOKS TO TAKE HOME. IN 2024-2025 FY, WE WERE STILL SUPPORTING THIS PROGRAM THROUGH THE FEDERAL GRANT, BUT ANY EXPENSES NOT COVERED BY THAT GRANT WERE TAKEN FROM WCM'S OPERATING EXPENSES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 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 June 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 November 1981.

    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.