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Give a Beat Foundation

EIN 46-1378116 · Laguna Beach, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood73 out of 100GovernanceFair61 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

GIVE A BEAT'S MISSION IS TO USE THE POWER OF MUSIC AS A PATHWAY TO HEALING AND OPPORTUNITY FOR THOSE IMPACTED BY THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.

Income
$721,326
Spending
$749,197
Spent on programs
73%
Reserves
4.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 72%
Employees
9
Volunteers
8
Highest pay
$21,000, president & ceo

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

Financial health

Good: 73 out of 100. Higher than 43% of charities in its peer group (international, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 10% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    73% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 28 cents.

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

Governance

Fair: 61 out of 100. Higher than 37% of charities in its peer group (international, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 7 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 December 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 (3)
  1. $305,143 spent. THE PRISON ELECTRONIC MUSIC PROGRAM PROVIDES HANDS-ON LEARNING WITH SOFTWARE, HARDWARE, AND TECHNIQUES THAT ARE USED BY PROFESSIONALS FOR MUSIC PRODUCTION AND DJING. THESE MUSIC CLASSES IN CALIF PRISONS PROMOTE HEALING, SELF-EXPRESSION, TEAMWORK, AND TRANSFERABLE JOB SKILLS FOR THOSE RETURNING TO THE WORKFORCE.
  2. $197,572 spent. THE YOUTH MUSIC PRODUCTION & DJ WORKSHOP PROGRAM FOR INCARCERATED & AT-RISK YOUTH. THESE WORKSHOPS PROVIDE TECHNOLOGY SKILLS AND PROMOTE SELF-EXPRESSION, SELF CONFIDENCE, EMPOWERMENT, COLLABORATION, & COMMUNICATION SKILLS.
  3. $43,672 spent. THE GIVE A BEAT ALUMNI PROGRAM IS A PARTICIPANT-LED INITIATIVE FOR GRADUATES OF THE PRISON ELECTRONIC MUSIC PROGRAM AND THE "ON A NEW TRACK" MENTORSHIP PROGRAM CONNECTING MUSIC INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS,PROVIDING SHARED RESOURCES,PEER SUPPORT,INCOME GENERATION,AND CREATIVE OPPORTUNITIES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since December 2013.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 21, 2026.

  7. Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.

    A much larger organization has a similar name: Give Back Foundation (Madison, WI), EIN 26-2449481. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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.