Berkeley Music Group
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE BERKELEY MUSIC GROUP WAS FOUNDED IN 2012 AS A 501(C)3 NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION TO RENOVATE AND RUN THE UC THEATRE TAUBE FAMILY MUSIC HALL IN BERKELEY. THE UC THEATRE IS AN INDEPENDENT COMMUNITY-MINDED 1,400 CAPACITY MULTI-TIERED LIVE MUSIC VENUE WITH YOUTH EDUCATION PROGRAMS. OUR MISSION IS TO PRESENT A VIBRANT AND DIVERSE RANGE OF LIVE PERFORMANCES TO ADVANCE THE UNDERSTANDING AND APPRECIATION OF MUSIC, CULTURE, AND EDUCATION IN THE BAY AREA. WE PROVIDE INCLUSIVE, DIVERSE, AND CULTURALLY RICH MUSIC PROGRAMMING AS WELL AS TRANSFORMATIVE HANDS ON MUSIC BUSINESS YOUTH EDUCATION PROGRAMS. THE BERKELEY MUSIC GROUP IS DEDICATED TO ENSURING THAT THE UC THEATRE STRENGTHENS THE BAY AREAS VIBRANT FABRIC OF NONPROFIT ARTS AND SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS.
- Income
- $5.8 million
- Spending
- $6.6 million
- Spent on programs
- 90%
- Reserves
- -1.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 72%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 180
- Highest pay
- $200,000, president
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 37 out of 100. Higher than 9% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 39% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 14% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 3% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1590% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 36 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 49% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 256 of 7 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 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 (2)
- $5.3 million spent. THE BERKELEY MUSIC GROUP (BMG) RAISED 6.8M FUNDS FOR THE RENOVATION AND RE-PURPOSING OF THE UC THEATRE INTO A MUSIC VENUE IN APRIL OF 2016 THANKS TO COMMUNITY MINDED PEOPLE AND FOUNDATIONS WITH GREAT PHILANTHROPIC HEART WHO INVESTED IN AND SUSTAINED OUR EFFORTS TO PROVIDE INCLUSIVE, DIVERSE, AND CULTURALLY RICH MUSIC PROGRAMMING, AS WELL AS TRANSFORMATIVE YOUTH EDUCATION PROGRAMS. THE UC THEATRE PRESENTS A DIVERSE RANGE OF LOCAL, NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL ARTISTS AND BANDS FEATURING THE BEST IN LIVE ENTERTAINMENT. BMG IS DEDICATED TO ENSURING THAT THE UC THEATRE STRENGTHENS THE BAY AREAS VIBRANT FABRIC OF NONPROFIT ARTS AND SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS, WHILE BUILDING A COLLABORATIVE NETWORK OF COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS WITH EXISTING EDUCATION, PERFORMING ARTS, AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT NONPROFITS AS WELL AS TO ASSIST THEM WITH THEIR FUNDRAISING AND OUTREACH THROUGH EVENTS AT THE UC THEATRE. THE BERKELEY MUSIC GROUP (BMG) RAISED 6.8M FUNDS FOR THE RENOVATION AND RE-PURPOSING OF THE UC THEATRE INTO A MUSIC VENUE IN APRIL OF 2016 THANKS TO COMMUNITY MINDED PEOPLE AND FOUNDATIONS WITH GREAT PHILANTHROPIC HEART WHO INVESTED IN AND SUSTAINED OUR EFFORTS TO PROVIDE INCLUSIVE, DIVERSE, AND CULTURALLY RICH MUSIC PROGRAMMING, AS WELL AS TRANSFORMATIVE YOUTH EDUCATION PROGRAMS. THE UC THEATRE PRESENTS A DIVERSE RANGE OF LOCAL, NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL ARTISTS AND BANDS FEATURING THE BEST IN LIVE ENTERTAINMENT. BMG IS DEDICATED TO ENSURING THAT THE UC THEATRE STRENGTHENS THE BAY AREAS VIBRANT FABRIC OF NONPROFIT ARTS AND SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS, WHILE BUILDING A COLLABORATIVE NETWORK OF COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS WITH EXISTING EDUCATION, PERFORMING ARTS, AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT NONPROFITS AS WELL AS TO ASSIST THEM WITH THEIR FUNDRAISING AND OUTREACH THROUGH EVENTS AT THE UC THEATRE.
- $659,317 spent. BMGS CONCERT CAREER PATHWAYS YOUTH EDUCATION PROGRAM TEACHES YOUNG PEOPLE AGES 17 TO 25 THE TECHNICAL, CREATIVE, AND BUSINESS ASPECTS OF CONCERT AND EVENT PROMOTION. OUR CONCERT CAREER PATHWAYS EDUCATION PROGRAM (CCP) SEEKS TO REMOVE THE BARRIERS OF ENTRY INTO THE MUSIC BUSINESS FOR UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES. THIS NINE MONTH EXPERIMENTAL WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM DEVELOPS CRITICAL AND CREATIVE THINKING SKILLS NECESSARY TO BECOME SUCCESSFUL IN THE 21ST-CENTURY WORKPLACE. BMGS HANDS-ON WORK-BASED LEARNING MODEL IS A COMBINATION OF FREE WORKSHOPS AND PAID INTERNSHIPS WHERE YOUNG PEOPLE LEARN THE BEST PRACTICES IN ESSENTIAL JOBS SUCH AS: PRODUCTION MANAGER, EVENT COORDINATOR, STAGE MANAGER, FLOOR MANAGER, BOX OFFICE OPERATIONS, BAR OPERATIONS, TALENT BUYING, EVENT BUDGETING, TRADITIONAL MARKETING, SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING, PROMOTIONS, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, AND MORE. BMG OFFERS THESE PROGRAMS TO YOUTH ATTENDING LOCAL SCHOOLS AND UNDERSERVED YOUTH THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS WITH ESTABLISHED NONPROFIT COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC. BMGS CCP GRADS COME FROM A DIVERSE RANGE OF BACKGROUNDS; 50% ARE YOUNG WOMEN, 70% ARE PEOPLE OF COLOR, OVER HALF ARE FROM LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS. 80% OF PROGRAM GRADUATES HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFULLY PLACED IN JOBS, AND MOST OF THEM LIVE UP AND DOWN THE HWY 80 CORRIDOR FROM SAN PABLO TO SAN LEANDRO. IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT THE PROGRAM IS ACCESSIBLE TO YOUNG PEOPLE FOR UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES, BMG FORMED AN EDUCATIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE, WHICH IS COMPRISED OF NUMEROUS NONPROFIT YOUTH DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATIONS WHO WORK IN THESE COMMUNITIES. DESPITE THE WEALTH IN THE BAY AREA, TEENAGERS AND YOUNG ADULTS, PARTICULARLY LOW-INCOME YOUTH OF COLOR, STRUGGLE TO FIND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES THAT LEAD TO LIVING WAGE JOBS. CCP PROVIDES HANDS-ON JOB EXPERIENCES, FOSTERING THE UNDERSTANDING OF WORK AS AN INTEGRAL AND SATISFYING ASPECT OF LIFE, AND CONNECTING YOUTH PASSIONATE ABOUT MUSIC BUSINESS TO A FIELD IN WHICH THERE ARE CURRENT JOB OPPORTUNITIES AND CAREER LADDERS. NOW MORE THAN EVER, REMOVING THE BARRIERS TO ENTRY IN THE WORKFORCE FOR PEOPLE OF COLOR AND THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY IS CRITICAL TO EMBRACE AND SUPPORT. IN GENERAL, MUSIC INDUSTRY MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS, LIKE MANY INDUSTRIES IN THE UNITED STATES, LACK EQUITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION. THE UC THEATRE BELIEVES THAT BRINGING TOGETHER YOUNG LEADERS FROM A VARIETY OF BACKGROUNDS WITH DIVERSE PERSPECTIVES WILL HELP CREATE A MORE EQUITABLE AND DIVERSE INDUSTRY AND PROVIDE A SPACE FOR UNDERSERVED YOUTH TO HAVE THEIR VOICES HEARD BY THEIR PEERS, SOME OF WHOM COME FROM MORE PRIVILEGED BACKGROUNDS, PROVIDING EXPOSURE TO AND IMMERSION IN DIVERSE VOICES AND IDEAS. THIS UNIQUE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM SUPPORTS UP AND COMING LEADERS OF THE BAY AREA THAT HOLD PROMISE FOR REIMAGINING THE MUSIC INDUSTRY IN WAYS THAT ADVANCE INTERGENERATIONAL AND MULTICULTURAL LEADERSHIP, INCLUSION AND EQUITY. BMGS CONCERT CAREER PATHWAYS YOUTH EDUCATION PROGRAM TEACHES YOUNG PEOPLE AGES 17 TO 25 THE TECHNICAL, CREATIVE, AND BUSINESS ASPECTS OF CONCERT AND EVENT PROMOTION. OUR CONCERT CAREER PATHWAYS EDUCATION PROGRAM (CCP) SEEKS TO REMOVE THE BARRIERS OF ENTRY INTO THE MUSIC BUSINESS FOR UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES. THIS NINE MONTH EXPERIMENTAL WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM DEVELOPS CRITICAL AND CREATIVE THINKING SKILLS NECESSARY TO BECOME SUCCESSFUL IN THE 21ST-CENTURY WORKPLACE. BMGS HANDS-ON WORK-BASED LEARNING MODEL IS A COMBINATION OF FREE WORKSHOPS AND PAID INTERNSHIPS WHERE YOUNG PEOPLE LEARN THE BEST PRACTICES IN ESSENTIAL JOBS SUCH AS: PRODUCTION MANAGER, EVENT COORDINATOR, STAGE MANAGER, FLOOR MANAGER, BOX OFFICE OPERATIONS, BAR OPERATIONS, TALENT BUYING, EVENT BUDGETING, TRADITIONAL MARKETING, SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING, PROMOTIONS, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, AND MORE. BMG OFFERS THESE PROGRAMS TO YOUTH ATTENDING LOCAL SCHOOLS AND UNDERSERVED YOUTH THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS WITH ESTABLISHED NONPROFIT COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC. BMGS CCP GRADS COME FROM A DIVERSE RANGE OF BACKGROUNDS; 50% ARE YOUNG WOMEN, 70% ARE PEOPLE OF COLOR, OVER HALF ARE FROM LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS. 80% OF PROGRAM GRADUATES HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFULLY PLACED IN JOBS, AND MOST OF THEM LIVE UP AND DOWN THE HWY 80 CORRIDOR FROM SAN PABLO TO SAN LEANDRO. IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT THE PROGRAM IS ACCESSIBLE TO YOUNG PEOPLE FOR UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES, BMG FORMED AN EDUCATIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE, WHICH IS COMPRISED OF NUMEROUS NONPROFIT YOUTH DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATIONS WHO WORK IN THESE COMMUNITIES. DESPITE THE WEALTH IN THE BAY AREA, TEENAGERS AND YOUNG ADULTS, PARTICULARLY LOW-INCOME YOUTH OF COLOR, STRUGGLE TO FIND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES THAT LEAD TO LIVING WAGE JOBS. CCP PROVIDES HANDS-ON JOB EXPERIENCES, FOSTERING THE UNDERSTANDING OF WORK AS AN INTEGRAL AND SATISFYING ASPECT OF LIFE, AND CONNECTING YOUTH PASSIONATE ABOUT MUSIC BUSINESS TO A FIELD IN WHICH THERE ARE CURRENT JOB OPPORTUNITIES AND CAREER LADDERS. NOW MORE THAN EVER, REMOVING THE BARRIERS TO ENTRY IN THE WORKFORCE FOR PEOPLE OF COLOR AND THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY IS CRITICAL TO EMBRACE AND SUPPORT. IN GENERAL, MUSIC INDUSTRY MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS, LIKE MANY INDUSTRIES IN THE UNITED STATES, LACK EQUITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION. THE UC THEATRE BELIEVES THAT BRINGING TOGETHER YOUNG LEADERS FROM A VARIETY OF BACKGROUNDS WITH DIVERSE PERSPECTIVES WILL HELP CREATE A MORE EQUITABLE AND DIVERSE INDUSTRY AND PROVIDE A SPACE FOR UNDERSERVED YOUTH TO HAVE THEIR VOICES HEARD BY THEIR PEERS, SOME OF WHOM COME FROM MORE PRIVILEGED BACKGROUNDS, PROVIDING EXPOSURE TO AND IMMERSION IN DIVERSE VOICES AND IDEAS. THIS UNIQUE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM SUPPORTS UP AND COMING LEADERS OF THE BAY AREA THAT HOLD PROMISE FOR REIMAGINING THE MUSIC INDUSTRY IN WAYS THAT ADVANCE INTERGENERATIONAL AND MULTICULTURAL LEADERSHIP, INCLUSION AND EQUITY.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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.
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.
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.
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 October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since September 2013.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.
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