Southside Jazz Coalition
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The South Side Jazz Coalition cultivates safe spaces for free access to live music programs with a concentration on intergenerational events and collaboration with community grassroots organizations to promote arts and culture in southeast Chicago communities.
- Income
- $175,783
- Spending
- $175,178
- Reserves
- 0.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 87%
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ 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 (7)
- The 2nd Tuesday Jazz Jam is a free music event held every second Tuesday of the month. The open stage allows any community member to express themselves through music dance or spoken word. The event draws to 250 participants every month. We invite music students from surrounding schools to perform in order to benefit from playing with and receiving mentorship from elder musicians.
- Jazzn On The Steps is a partnership with St. Moses The Black presenting a live music concert on the steps of the church in Woodawn; a southeast neighborhood of Chicago with no access to free arts and culture. The series runs every fourth Sunday from May through October. Approximately 300 to 400 community residents attend each Sunday bringing the total audience throughout the summer to over 3,000 a year.
- Jazzn In The Parks is a partnership between the South Side Jazz Coalition and The Chicago Park District. Live local bands are presented in three south side parks throughout the summer with invitations to community members to come onto the open stage to expess themselves through song dance or spoken word.
- $2,000 spent. City of Chicago Halloween Parade allows the SSJC to hire teens to march in the parade play instruments and dress in costume.
- $5,000 spent. The South Side Jazz Coalition is a member of the South Side Mutual Aid Community of Care. We provide milk and diapers for infants gift card for single mothers and monetary sources for senior transportation as well as Christmas and Thanksgiving food baskets.
- $15,000 spent. The 10 Year Anniversary of the South Side Jazz Coalition in partnership with The Logan Center at The University of Chicago
- $7,500 spent. The South Side Jazz Coalition presents a Black History Concert and Dinner in partnership with St. Moses The Black Parish.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.
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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since December 2015.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.