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Music-Arts Institute

EIN 43-1245831 · Independence, MO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood86 out of 100GovernanceWeak46 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

MUSIC/ARTS INSTITUTE, GREATER KANSAS CITY'S COMMUNITY SCHOOL OF PERFORMING ARTS, TEACHES STUDENTS, YOUNG AND OLD ALIKE, TO EMBRACE BEAUTY AND PROFESSIONALISM IN THE ARTS. SHAPING TOMORROW'S PERFORMERS IS THE TASK TO WHICH THE DISTINGUISHED FACULTY ADDRESSES ITSELF. CARING FOR AND NURTURING THE STUDENT IN EVERY ASPECT OF MUSICIANSHIP, ARTISTRY, AND LIFE PREPARATION IS THE GOAL OF MUSIC/ARTS INSTITUTE.

Income
$611,951
Spending
$454,470
Spent on programs
62%
Reserves
6.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 67%
Employees
4
Highest pay
$500, executive di

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

Financial health

Good: 86 out of 100. Higher than 71% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 5% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 26% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 63% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    62% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 cents.

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

Governance

Weak: 46 out of 100. Higher than 11% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    17 of 18 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.

  • 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 July 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. $280,173 spent. ARTS EDUCATION FOR STUDENTS RANGING IN AGE FROM PRE-SCHOOL TO ADULT. CLASSES INCLUDE DANCE, INSTRUMENT & VOCAL ENSEMBLES, AND PRIVATE INSTRUCTION FOR DANCE, INSTRUMENTS & VOICE. STUDENTS PERFORM IN RECITALS AND VARIOUS CONCERT EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE GREATER KANSAS CITY AREA. THE HARP & JAZZ ENSEMBLES ARE INVITED TO PERFORM AT VARIOUS BENEFITS, GALAS & FESTIVALS (IE. JACKSON COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY GALA, TRUMAN HEARTLAND COMMUNITY FOUNDATION GALA, BINGHAM-WAGGONER ANTIQUE & CRAFT FAIR, ETC.). THE YOUNG MAISTER SINGERS PERFORM AT VARIOUS VENUES & CONCERTS, AS WELL (IE. KC CHORALE FAMILY CHRISTMAS CONCERT, CABLE-DAHMER ARENA FOR A MAVERICKS GAME, KC SPEEDWAY, AND OTHER JOINT CONCERTS WITH THE UMKC CONSERVATORY AND THE KC BOYS & GIRLS CHOIRS, ETC.)

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 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 November 6, 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 July 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 1986.

    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 November 4, 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.