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Passes our checks

The Key to Change

EIN 47-4809104 · Tukwila, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood82 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO INSPIRE UNDERSERVED YOUTH THROUGH WORLD CLASS MUSIC INSTRUCTION AND TO SUPPORT THEIR DEVELOPMENT AS SELF-AWARE LEADERS.

Income
$1.0 million
Spending
$832,848
Spent on programs
61%
Reserves
7.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 73%
Employees
11
Volunteers
5
Highest pay
$92,455, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 82 out of 100. Higher than 64% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 7.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 20% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 19% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 31% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    61% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 20 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 5 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

    5 of 5

    Keeps 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

    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 June 30, 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. $505,470 spent. THE CORNERSTONE OF OUR PROGRAM ARE WEEKLY VIOLIN AND VIOLA LESSONS TO OVER 2,000 MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS. OUR LESSONS TAKE PLACE AFTER SCHOOL, PROVIDING A SAFE AND STRUCTURED ENVIRONMENT FOR STUDENTS WITH WORKING PARENTS. WE OFFER OUR LESSONS AT BELOW MARKET RATE, MAKING THEM AVAILABLE TO A MORE DIVERSE RANGE OF STUDENTS. ADDITIONALLY, WE HOST AN ANNUAL SOLO STRING FESTIVAL, NUMEROUS GUEST ARTIST MASTER CLASSES, AN ACADEMIC LECTURE SERIES WITH GUEST PROFESSORS AND PROFESSIONALS AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH PERFORMANCES. ALL OF THESE EVENTS ARE NOT ONLY FOR OUR RESIDENT STUDENTS, BUT THEY ARE AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE FOR OTHER STUDENTS IN THE COMMUNITY TO ATTEND. WE ALSO PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR OUR ALUMNI, WHO REMAIN ACTIVE IN OUR PROGRAM.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 November 6, 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 June 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 February 2016.

    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 November 4, 2026.

  7. Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.

    A much larger organization has a similar name: Key Change Inc (Wichita, KS), EIN 83-3116152. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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.