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Armstrong Community Music School

EIN 45-4295757 · Austin, TX

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak31 out of 100GovernanceStrong93 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

ARMSTRONG COMMUNITY MUSIC SCHOOL OFFERS EXCITING OPPORTUNITIES TO LEARN THE JOYS OF MUSIC FOR STUDENTS OF ALL AGES AND SKILL LEVELS, FROM EARLY CHILDHOOD TO ADULT.

Income
$757,865
Spending
$1.0 million
Spent on programs
86%
Reserves
-6.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 53%
Employees
51
Volunteers
56
Highest pay
$74,773, executive director

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

Financial health

Weak: 31 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 25% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 33% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 51% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    86% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 93 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    3 of 3 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.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • 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 January 31, 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 (1)
  1. $867,183 spent. THE SCHOOL OFFERS INSTRUCTION IN VIRTUALLY EVERY MUSIC STYLE: CLASSICAL, JAZZ, AS WELL AS BLUES, FOLK AND A VARIETY OF MUSICAL STYLES FROM WORLD CULTURES. ACMS IS PRIVILEDGED TO PROVIDE EXTENSIVE TUITION ASSISTANCE, YEAR ROUND PROGRAMS AT SAFEPLACE, CLASSES FOR THE STUDENTS AT THE TODOS JUNTOS LEARNING CENTER, AND SUPPORT FOR WE ARE THE CHORUS, A CHOIR FOR ADULTS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES. ACMS HOSTS THE AUSTIN CHAMBER MUSIC CENTER SATURDAY ACADEMY, THE TEXAS EARLY MUSIC PROJECT, TOSCA STRING QUARTER, AND THE AUSTIN JAZZ WORKSHOP. ONGOING PROGRAMS INCLUDE EARLY CHILDHOOD CLASSES SUCH AS MUSIC TOGETHER FOR INFANTS, TODDLERS AND PRESCHOOLERS, BIG VOICES FOR KIDS AGES 3-5, GROUP PIANO CLASSES CALLED MUSIC FOR LITTLE MOZARTS, AND INDIVIDUAL MUSIC INSTRUCTION IS AVAILABLE FOR ALL AGES IN PIANO, VOICE, AND NUMEROUS OTHER INSTRUMENTS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending January 31, 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 January 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 November 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.