Heritage Military Music Foundation Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
We are dedicated to "Making History Live" for audiences across America by performing music of America's Civil War era on antique brass band instruments, and to preserve the musical heritage of that period by collecting and restoring those instruments.
- Income
- $227,045
- Spending
- $67,932
- Spent on programs
- 45%
- Reserves
- 100.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 82%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 70
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: 85 out of 100. Higher than 66% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 100.1 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 7% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 70% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 107% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 1545% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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
Good: 81 out of 100. Higher than 73% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).
Independent board
25 of 257 of 7 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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)
- $30,563 spent. Heritage Military Music Foundation sponsors the 1st Brigade Band. The original 1st Brigade Band was formed in 1864 and served with General Sherman during the American Civil War. The current 1st Brigade Band was formed in 1964, committing to two primary goals - to re-create to the fullest extent possible all aspects of the military and community brass bands of the 1860s and to do so in a manner that is entertaining and accessible to the modern audience. Attired in period uniforms and gowns, the Band's musicians, color guard and vivandieres take their audiences back to the 1860's and breathes life into history by performing authentic music on actual antique instruments. Musical selections are combined with narrated accounts, anecdotes, and tales of the times. The Foundation has acquired and maintains an extensive, exceptional collection of rare antique brass, woodwind and percussion instruments, one of the finest, most extensive playing collections in the Nation. It has also developed a fine library of music selected from the books of Union and Confederate bands and from manuscripts and original sheet music of the period. The band has recorded fifteen volumes of historic music. Performances include historical programs, parades, circle concerts, joint concerts with school bands and period dances. CDC guidelines, there were a limited number of performances.
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
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.
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.
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.
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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since October 1966.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
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.
Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.
A much larger organization has a similar name: Heritage Foundation (Washington, DC), EIN 23-7327730. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 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.