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Gift of Music Foundation Inc

EIN 47-3268303 · Marietta, GA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak45 out of 100GovernanceWeak48 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Only 42% of its spending went to programs.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

CREATE ACCESS TO MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS AND EDUCATION THROUGH INNOVATIVE, NEEDS-BASED PROGRAMS.

Income
$1.3 million
Spending
$964,807
Spent on programs
42%
Reserves
1.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 55%
Employees
13
Volunteers
18
Highest pay
$40,000, vice pres/cs

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: 45 out of 100. Higher than 13% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 62% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 25% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 39% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    42% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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

Weak: 48 out of 100. Higher than 7% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    0 of 8 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

    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

    5 of 5

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

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 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, 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 (3)
  1. $269,004 spent. ACCESS TO INSTRUMENTS (ATI) PROGRAM: PROVIDES ACCESS TO THE INSTRUMENT THAT A BEGINNING STUDENT NEEDS TO PARTICIPATE IN BAND OR ORCHESTRA. OUR INNOVATIVE MODEL SERVES FAMILIES OF ALL FINANCIAL MEANS AND PRICING IS BASED ON NEED. THE "PARTNER PLAN" IS OPEN TO ALL FAMILIES WITH A NEAR MARKET MONTHLY RENTAL RATE THAT HELPS SUBSIDIZE OTHER PLANS. THE "REDUCED PLAN" IS A MONTHLY RENTAL AT A GREATLY REDUCED COST. IT IS OPEN TO FAMILIES RECEIVING ANY KIND OF NUTRITION ASSISTANCE SUCH AS FREE/REDUCED LUNCH, SNAP, ETC. THE "GIFT OF MUSIC PLAN" IS AN OPTION FOR FAMILIES MEETING FURTHER INCOME AND HOUSEHOLD SIZE QUALIFICATIONS. IT HAS A SMALL APPLICATION FEE, BUT NO MONTHLY RENTAL PAYMENTS. BOTH THE PARTNER AND REDUCED PLANS ARE MONTH TO MONTH RENT TO OWN CONTRACTS THAT CAN BE CANCELLED AND RETURNED ANY TIME. THE GIFT OF MUSIC PLAN CAN BE RENEWED EACH SCHOOL YEAR. ALL PLANS INCLUDE OUR REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE (RAMP) AT NO ADDITIONAL COST. ACCESS TO INSTRUMENTS (ATI) PROGRAM: PROVIDES ACCESS TO THE INSTRUMENT THAT A BEGINNING STUDENT NEEDS TO PARTICIPATE IN BAND OR ORCHESTRA. OUR INNOVATIVE MODEL SERVES FAMILIES OF ALL FINANCIAL MEANS AND PRICING IS BASED ON NEED. THE "PARTNER PLAN" IS OPEN TO ALL FAMILIES WITH A NEAR MARKET MONTHLY RENTAL RATE THAT HELPS SUBSIDIZE OTHER PLANS. THE "REDUCED PLAN" IS A MONTHLY RENTAL AT A GREATLY REDUCED COST. IT IS OPEN TO FAMILIES RECEIVING ANY KIND OF NUTRITION ASSISTANCE SUCH AS FREE/REDUCED LUNCH, SNAP, ETC. THE "GIFT OF MUSIC PLAN" IS AN OPTION FOR FAMILIES MEETING FURTHER INCOME AND HOUSEHOLD SIZE QUALIFICATIONS. IT HAS A SMALL APPLICATION FEE, BUT NO MONTHLY RENTAL PAYMENTS. BOTH THE PARTNER AND REDUCED PLANS ARE MONTH TO MONTH RENT TO OWN CONTRACTS THAT CAN BE CANCELLED AND RETURNED ANY TIME. THE GIFT OF MUSIC PLAN CAN BE RENEWED EACH SCHOOL YEAR. ALL PLANS INCLUDE OUR REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE (RAMP) AT NO ADDITIONAL COST.
  2. $21,888 spent. ACCESS TO MUSIC EDUCATION PROGRAM (ATMEP): CREATES ACCESS TO BEGINNING AND/OR INTERMEDIATE INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC CLASSES WHERE THEY HAVE BEEN ELIMINATED OR ARE NOT OFFERED. TYPICALLY, AN ATMEP PARTNER WILL PROVIDE USE OF THEIR FACILITY WHILE THE GIFT OF MUSIC FOUNDATION PROVIDES THE TURN-KEY MUSIC CLASS OFFERINGS, INCLUDING THE TEACHER AND CURRICULUM. CLASSES ARE TAILORED AND PRICED FOR EACH SCHOOL BASED ON OVERALL NEED. PARENTS WILL PAY EITHER A MONTHLY TUITION, OR ONE TIME REGISTRATION FEE. THIS IS DETERMINED BY THE OVERALL SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS OF THE SCHOOL OR FACILITY. IF INSTRUMENTS ARE NEEDED, THE ATI PROGRAM IS OFFERED TO STUDENTS AND PARENTS. INDIVIDUAL CLASSES MAY ALSO CREATE FUNDRAISING TEAMS FOR SPECIFIC INSTRUMENTS OR TECHNOLOGY.
  3. $111,860 spent. INSTRUMENT REPAIR PROGRAM: PROVIDES BOTH INTERNAL INSTRUMENT REPAIR IN SUPPORT OF THE ATI AND OTHER PROGRAMS, AS WELL AS EXTERNAL SUPPORT BY REPAIRING INSTRUMENTS FOR SCHOOLS AND INDIVIDUALS. GENERATES REVENUE THROUGH EXTERNAL CUSTOMERS AND SCHOLASTIC PARTNERSHIPS THAT PAY FOR THESE INSTRUMENT REPAIRS. THIS REVENUE COVERS THE COST OF INSTRUMENT TECHNICIANS, TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT. EXCESS REVENUE GENERATED IS USED THROUGHOUT THE GIFT OF MUSIC FOUNDATION IN THE GENERAL FUND TO SUPPORT OTHER PROGRAMS.

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

  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 2024.

    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.