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Chamber Music Oc

EIN 46-2748155 · Lake Forest, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceGood86 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The Performance Division is designed to provide residents of the greater Orange County area with world-class chamber music performances presented by rising stars and established veterans in the classical music world. The Education Division is anchored by the Pre-College Program. The program provides a unique and comprehensive musical education that features chamber music coaching and performance classes, musicianship, composition, ear training, career development and college preparation, participation in distinguished guest artist master classes, community outreach performances, and the Rising Stars Recital Series. Open to both pre-formed ensembles and individual instrumentalists, participants in Chamber Music | OCs Adult Chamber Music Program (ACMP) receive comprehensive guidance from renowned resident faculty members on masterpieces from the chamber music repertoire. The ACMP curriculum includes regular coaching, performance opportunities, educational workshops, access to state-of-th

Income
$271,164
Spending
$250,135
Spent on programs
73%
Reserves
11.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 77%
Employees
13
Highest pay
$23,960, executive dir.

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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 78% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 11.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 7% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    73% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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

Good: 86 out of 100. Higher than 73% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 7 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

    0 of 5

    Reports that it does not keep 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

    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 (1)
  1. $181,889 spent. Education Division:During the 2025/2026 season, the Chamber Music | OC Pre-College Program held 36 days of classes in the fall trimester, 43 days of classes in the winter trimester and 42 days of classes in the spring trimester. The program had a total of 31 students, and 74% of the participants received scholarships or financial assistance. All the students received weekly, in-person group coaching from resident faculty, participated in weekly group classes, and received one-on-one career guidance. Over the course of the program, students performed for visiting Guest Artists and throughout the OC community for various outreach events and presented a series of final in-person performances at Chamber Music OC facility to mark the end of the season.Performance Division:In 2025, Chamber Music OC presented 5 main-series live concert events, in January, February, April, and November - these included both traditional and non-traditional concert formats. These events ranged from guest artist performances to faculty showcases, to fundraisers, to live interviews. Chamber Music | OC plans for continued growth in its performance output and audience engagement.Community Engagement Division:In 2025, Chamber Music OC's Community Engagement Division presented numerous events at the Laguna Beach Museum and the Heritage Pointe in Mission Viejo. Also, Chamber Music OC's Community Outreach Division presented several performances for the residents of Torrance at the First Lutheran Church and School and for residents of Newport Beach at the historic St. John Vianney Chapel. These free, public performances featured members of the Pre-College Program as well as the Adult Chamber Music Program and attracted audiences of all ages. It is Chamber Music | OC's goal to make the benefits of music more widely accessible and approachable for our community.

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 March 2015.

    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.

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.