Common Chord
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
COMMON CHORD ACTIVATES THE POWER OF MUSIC TO IMPROVE OUR COMMUNITY. COMMON CHORD PROVIDES CONCERTS, EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, AND COMMUNITY MUSIC PROGRAMS.
- Income
- $846,151
- Spending
- $1.4 million
- Spent on programs
- 71%
- Reserves
- 1.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 45%
- Employees
- 28
- Volunteers
- 10
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
Weak: 45 out of 100. Higher than 14% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 1.6 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 10% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 62% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 63% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1571% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 29 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
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 95% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 259 of 9 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a 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.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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)
- $579,399 spent. CONCERT PROGRAMS: PROVIDE A VARIETY OF FINANCIALLY ACCESSIBLE, COMMUNITY- ORIENTED CONCERTS IN THE ORGANIZATION'S VENUE AND THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY. CONCERTS CONSIST OF A WIDE VARIETY OF GENRES.
- $281,602 spent. EDUCATION PROGRAMS: PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR MUSIC EDUCATION AND ENRICHMENT FOR YOUTH AND ADULTS OF ALL ABILITY LEVELS AND INTERESTS IN SCHOOLS, AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS, NONPROFIT PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS, AND COMMUNITY CENTERS.
- $108,472 spent. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMS: PRESENTING ACTIVITIES THAT INCREASE THE PUBLIC'S PERCEPTION OF THE VALUE OF LIVE MUSIC IN OUR COMMUNITY, INCLUDING ADVOCACY EFFORTS, ONLINE PUBLICATION, AND PAINTED PIANOS IN PUBLIC SPACES.
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
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 June 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 February 2004.
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.