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Passes our checks

Common Chord

EIN 43-2005678 · Davenport, IA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak45 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

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 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 10% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 62% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 63% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    71% 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 25

    9 of 9 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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. $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.
  2. $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.
  3. $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

  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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. 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.

  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 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.