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Prizm Ensemble

EIN 45-3735871 · Memphis, TN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak29 out of 100GovernanceWeak47 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Only 44% of its spending went to programs.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

PRIZM BUILDS DIVERSE COMMUNITY THROUGH CHAMBER MUSIC EDUCATION, YOUTH DEVELOPMENT AND PERFORMANCE.

Income
$201,454
Spending
$220,551
Spent on programs
44%
Reserves
0.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 86%
Employees
0
Volunteers
34
Highest pay
$52,773, executive director

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: 29 out of 100. Higher than 8% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 24% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 21% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    44% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Weak: 47 out of 100. Higher than 22% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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.

  • 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 (5)
  1. $33,777 spent. PRIZM CHAMBER MUSIC CAMP AND INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL PROVIDES CHAMBER COACHINGS, MASTER CLASSES, MUSIC-RELATED CLASSES, AND SOCIAL EVENTS TO MUSIC STUDENTS 12 YEARS AND OLDER. NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL ARTISTS ARE INVITED. 13 CONCERTS WERE PRESENTED. 102 YOUTHS ATTENDED THE CAMP.
  2. $27,299 spent. MAHOGANY CHAMBER MUSIC SERIES IS A PROGRAM AIMED TO AMPLIFY UNDERREPRESENTED VOICES IN THE CHAMBER MUSIC INDUSTRY AND CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR COLLABORATION. BY SHOWCASING PROFESSIONAL BIPOC TALENT, PRIZM HOPES TO INSPIRE FUTURE GENERATIONS OF ARTISTS FROM DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS TO PURSUE AND SUPPORT CHAMBER MUSIC. PRIZM PRESENTED A TOTAL OF 3 CONCERTS TO OVER 300 AUDIENCE MEMBERS, AS WELL AS 1 WORKSHOP AT A LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL FOR HIGH SCHOOL-AGED YOUTH.
  3. $16,816 spent. PRIZM CONNECT PROVIDES CHAMBER COACHING AND COMMUNITY PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES TO MUSIC STUDENTS 12 YEARS AND OLDER. LOCAL AND REGIONAL ARTISTS ARE INVITED, AND ONE CONCERT IS PRESENTED. 15 YOUTH ATTENDED, AND 3 FACULTY MEMBERS PARTICIPATED.
  4. $10,302 spent. Summer Camp Tuition is an initiative aimed to raise funds for scholarships and to increase awareness about the importance of education and personal development for young people. By supporting these scholarships, individuals can provide youth with the transformative opportunities that PRIZM Summer Camp offers. SUMMER CAMP TUITION
  5. $8,690 spent. PRIZM IN THE SCHOOLS (PITS) PROVIDES MUSIC ENGAGEMENT SERVICES TO SCHOOL-AGED YOUTH K-12 IN URBAN SCHOOL SETTINGS. STUDENTS LEARN MUSIC SKILLS AND ARE MENTORED BY PROFESSIONAL AND SEMI-PROFESSIONAL MUSICIANS.

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 August 2013.

    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.