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Magnum Chorum

EIN 41-1729332 · Minneapolis, MN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceGood71 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

High quality performances of sacred choral music in beautiful venues that transform listeners in concert and worship and nurture a deeper connection with God and one another.

Income
$457,982
Spending
$190,778
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 91%
Employees
0
Volunteers
91
Highest pay
$31,800, artistic director and ex officio board 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

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 58% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 145% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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: 71 out of 100. Higher than 47% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 10 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

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 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. $45,179 spent. In November 2024, we mounted two collaborative performances of the monumental work The Sacred Veil by composer Eric Whitacre and lyricist Tony Sylvestri with cello and piano, which deals with the untimely death of a young wife and mother of two, the terrifying diagnosis of cancer and overwhelm of medical treatment, and grief and healing following a devastating death, with the goal of helping singers and audience alike process their own grief and losses through the healing power of sacred choral music. For Tony Silvestri, the work was biographical as it was his wife who died in her 30s, and their daughter Emma Silvestri who sings in our Alto section, which brought even more richness and complexity to our presentation. During its preparation, Tony offered guidance at rehearsals on how to deliver the work in the most impactful way. Opening the performance, he offered a talk on the power of the work, and gave the audience members permission to reflect, grieve, cry, leave the concert or navigate as needed, to experience this powerfully cathartic and life-changing work. Concerts were presented at First Lutheran Church in Columbia Heights and Wayzata Community Church for a combined 450 guests.
  2. $54,215 spent. In December 2024, we mounted yet another significant commission for our Light Divine Christmas Concerts: Gifts of the Magi by celebrated local composer Ralph Johnson and his wife, writer Laurie Richardson Johnson, surrounded by other works by Ola Gjielo, Healy Willan, and Rene Clausen. The complex, chromatic and rhythmic 3-part work is among the most complex works we have ever prepared, and we worked with composer and writer to properly prepare the piece. We also produced a 7 minute video about the creation of the work and its powerful meaning, and explored the choir's process of learning and polishing this challenging piece. The concerts were performed at Nativity Catholic Church in St. Paul and Westwood Lutheran Church to a combined 700 guests.
  3. $51,204 spent. After major undertakings in the fall, we presented 2 new programs in midwinter and spring along with 5 worship services. Our Midwinter Sacred Choral Treasures featured movements of Rachmaninoff's All Night Vigil sung in Church Slavonic, music by Durufle, Busto, and black composers Nathaniel Dett and Undine Smith Moore, performed at Holy Cross Catholic Church. Our Spring concert, The Hope of Loving," featured multiple works by prolific local composer Jake Runestad, the challenging Fire Songs by Morten Lauridsen, a sonic Helium Life Jacket, and Esenvalds' instant classic work commissioned by our choir, I Thought Of You. Concerts were attended by 555 listeners. We also offered high quality sacred music to enhance 5 worship services for 2 congregations: Hope Presbyterian Church in Richfield, and Westwood Lutheran Church where we have served as Choir in Residence for 18 years, attended by 1,400 congregants plus an unknown number of those attending worship online from home.

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 July 1993.

    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.