Passes our checks

Garfield Jazz Foundation

EIN 43-1978389 · Seattle, WA

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

What it says it does

THE GARFIELD JAZZ FOUNDATION IS COMMITTED TO MAINTAING THE VIBRANT, UNIQUE AMERICAN ART FORM THAT IS JAZZ.

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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 88% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

Reserves
35 of 35
Spendable reserves would cover 14.7 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 25% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15
Income rose 39% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 15
97% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

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

Weak: 48 out of 100. Higher than 14% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

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.
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

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (3)

$102,357 spent. SUPPORTED TRAVEL EXPENSES FOR STUDENTS TO FESTIVALS AROUND THE UNITED STATES. THESE TRIPS ALLOW GARFIELD JAZZ FOUNDATION TO PROMOTE JAZZ AWARENESS NATIONALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY AND GIVE STUDENTS SIGNIFCANT PERFORMANCE EXPERIENCES AS WELL AS PROFESSIONALLY ADJUDICATED FEEDBACK ON THEIR PERFORMANCES.
$19,245 spent. PROVIDE SALARY FOR AFTER SCHOOL INSTRUCTION FOR BAND 1, BAND 2, AND BAND 3.
$70,324 spent. THROUGH THE PURCHASE OF INSTRUMENTS FOR STUDENTS, CLASSROOM MATERIALS, RECORDING SERVICES, AND CONCERT AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES, ALLOWS THE PROGRAM TO PROVIDE THE NEEDED SUPPLIES TO RUN A VIBRANT, SUCCESSFUL, AND ACTIVE JAZZ PROGRAM. AN ESTIMATED 6,500 AUDIENCE MEMBERS ARE REACHED THROUGH OUR GIGS AND CONCERTS.

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

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 July 2025.
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 January 2003.
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.

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.