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Cantores in Ecclesia

EIN 41-2042868 · Sherwood, OR

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair68 out of 100GovernanceWeak47 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The mission of Cantores in Ecclesia is to preserve and promote liturgical music, especially Gregorian Chant and sacred polyphony. It is implemented through the education of children and adults in choral practice, through public concert performances and lectures, and by regular performances at liturgical services. For 26 years the group has hosted an Annual William Byrd Festival; a 2 week series of public events (lectures, concerts, and services) with invited guest artists and scholars. Special projects may include tours and sponsored artists in some years.

Income
$154,184
Spending
$194,434
Spent on programs
94%
Reserves
10.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 69%
Employees
0
Volunteers
30
Highest pay
$24,000, chairman, choir & artistic director

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

Financial health

Fair: 68 out of 100. Higher than 39% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 10.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 26% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 23% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    94% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

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

Governance

Weak: 47 out of 100. Higher than 22% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 6 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

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

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 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 (3)
  1. $72,822 spent. Regular choral operations involved a varying number of adults and children: approximately 30 adults and 20 Children (ages 8-17), both together and seperately on a nearly weekly basis for liturgical services and public concerts in various locations in Oregon. An estimated 6000 (combined) hours of rehearsal are undertaken each year. The adult choir is a mix of paid professional singers (~2/3) and skilled volunteer singers (~1/3). Additional professional instrumentalists and professional singers are added to the roster for some events. Additional volunteers include parents, members of event organizing committees and those who usher or manage ticketing at concets and events. Most of the reported revenue comes from donations, but some performances earn service fees and some include ticket sales.
  2. $39,467 spent. Our 2026 William Byrd Festival spanned over 2 weeks in August. This 26th annual festival's theme, 'The Golden Age' of English Sacred Music', was held in tribute to composer Orlando Gibbons (1583-1625) with major works by his contemporaries, Thomas Tomkins (1572-1656) and William Byrd (1540-1623). This year's festival included 7 liturgical services, 3 concerts, and 2 lectures. Our guest artistic director and organist from Magdalene College Cambridge in England donated his time and services with our non-profit only funding his travel and accommodations. Reported festival revenue includes ticket sales, advertising, donations at the free events, and contributions from our patrons.
  3. $69,977 spent. A Choir Tour of Eastern Europe was completed in 2025. The director, one travel agent, 29 singers (adult), and 10 supporters traveled with the tour. The director's and agent's costs were covered through generous donations to the Special Project Fund. The fund also covered a portion of the singers' costs. Supporters fully paid their own expenses. Funds were collected and paid in installments in 2024 with a final installment in 2025. Upon completion of the tour, a professional promotional video of the tour's choral performances was created featuring a montage of video and photographs of venues and audio recordings of concerts.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 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 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 December 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 August 2003.

    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.