Creative Ability Development Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.
- Raising each dollar of donations cost 59 cents.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
See Schedule OThe Kanack School of Musical Artistry is the not-for-profit epicenter of Creative Ability Development (CAD) within our community and internationally. We provide an enriching, nurturing, and inclusive environment where all can grow to reach their fullest potential: artistically, creatively, socially, and intellectually. CAD defined: a pedagogical system which uses disciplined musical improvisation to develop the creative part of the brain, to heighten each student's innate musicality, and to enhance creative ability across multiple intellectual pursuits.
- Income
- $342,202
- Spending
- $438,493
- Spent on programs
- 78%
- Reserves
- -8.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 98%
- Employees
- 28
- Volunteers
- 113
- Highest pay
- $86,189, vice chair/executive direc
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: 15 out of 100. Higher than 1% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
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
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 28% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 19% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 1578% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 59 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
Good: 77 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 259 of 10 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
12 of 15Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.
No reported misuse
0 of 10Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, 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 (1)
- $343,074 spent. The Kanack School of Musical Artistry has had a rich history in the Rochester community for over 20 years. We provide students of all ages a warm, disciplined, and non-competitive environment in which to develop their musical artistry. We offer private lessons in violin, viola, cello, piano, voice, flute, fiddle, guitar, mandolin, ukulele, and banjo. Because the school was founded on a combination of the philosophy of Creative Ability Development and the Suzuki Method, we strongly believe group classes are crucial to the growth of musical artistry. Any day of the week students have access to many classes. (Continued on Schedule O)CAD improvisation classes, Suzuki repertoire classes, orchestra, fiddle, bluegrass bands, music theory and composition, chorus, opera and musical theater scenes, and piano duets are all available to our students. These classes not only help to develop their musical talent, but also to develop social skills that will aid them in life. We offer our group classes at no additional charge to private lesson tuition so that every student has the same access to these important opportunities.The Kanack School of Musical Artistry also offers a wide range of summer camps including traditional orchestral and chamber music, musical theater, adult chamber music, and fiddle. The Kanack School of Musical Artistry also has an open-door policy for teachers from around the world seeking to learn more about Creative Ability Development. We also offer teacher training sessions locally and internationally.
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 October 2014.
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.
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.