Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Union City Music Project

EIN 45-3663891 · Weehawken, NJ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak46 out of 100GovernanceNot ratedThe short tax form does not cover thisImpact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

UCMP (alternately called "United Children's Music Project") creates a better life for underserved children and youth through affordable music education. We envision a world where kids reach their full potential by developing academic and life skills through increased access to low-cost, high-quality musical training and arts. UCMP's After School Orchestral Music Programs transform Hudson County, NJ's 3-to-18-year-olds through free instruments, affordable instruction, and performances.

Income
$192,523
Spending
$189,215
Reserves
1.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 71%

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 46 out of 100. Higher than 18% of charities in its peer group (youth development, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 31% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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. $189,215 spent. FOUNDED IN 2012, UCMP IS NJ'S FIRST EL SISTEMA-INSPIRED AFTER SCHOOL ORCHESTRAL MUSIC EDUCATION PROGRAM. NOW IN ITS 11TH YEAR, UCMP HAS SERVED OVER 800 UNDERSERVEDPRE-K-TO-12TH GRADERS FROM HUDSON COUNTY'S URBAN COMMUNITIES THROUGHLOW-COST MUSIC INSTRUCTION AND FREE INSTRUMENTS. BEGINNING WITH "PAPER ORCHESTRA" MUSIC IMMERSION, STUDENTS THEN ARE TRAINED IN STRINGS, WOODWINDS, BRASS AND PERCUSSION SIX HOURS/WEEK, TEN MONTHS/YEAR BY PROFESSIONAL MUSICIANS. UCMP'S AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM IS ENHANCED BY ARTS ELECTIVES, SUMMER DAY CAMP, FIELD TRIPS, PARENT WORKSHOPS, VISITING ARTISTS, STUDENT MENTORS, AND REGULAR AREA PERFORMANCES OF UCMPS CHILDREN'S AND YOUTH ORCHESTRAS AND CHORUS.

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 December 2024.

    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 August 2012.

    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.