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Saratoga Music Boosters

EIN 51-0187615 · Saratoga, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair59 out of 100GovernanceFair53 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SARATOGA MUSIC BOOSTERS WORKS WITH SARATOGA SCHOOL UNION DISTRICT AND SARATOGA HIGH SCHOOL TO PROVIDE MUSIC PROGRAMS FOR STUDENTS IN GRADES 5 THROUGH 12. THE GOAL OF THESE PROGRAMS IS TO ENCOURAGE A LOVE OF MUSIC AND TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS TO DEVELOP AND IMPROVE MUSIC SKILLS.

Income
$1.6 million
Spending
$1.4 million
Spent on programs
95%
Reserves
0 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 79%
Employees
0
Volunteers
60

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

Fair: 59 out of 100. Higher than 40% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 33% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 22% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    95% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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

Fair: 53 out of 100. Higher than 11% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    30 of 30 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • 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. $1.3 million spent. SARATOGA MUSIC BOOSTERS SUPPORTS SARATOGA UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT (SUSD) AND SARATOGA HIGH SCHOOL (SHS) BY HELPING ITS MUSIC DIRECTORS, WHERE NEEDED, TO ACCOMPLISH THEIR VISIONS TO OFFER THE BEST MUSIC PROGRAMS, MUSIC CLINICS AS WELL AS MANY ENRICHING OPPORTUNITIES TO ITS STUDENTS. THIS INCLUDES ENSURING ALL MUSIC STUDENTS HAVE THE POSSIBILITY TO ATTEND IMPORTANT PERFORMANCES THAT REQUIRE TRAVEL REGARDLESS OF THEIR FAMILY'S FINANCIAL SITUATION.OVER THE 2024-25 FISCAL YEAR, SARATOGA MUSIC BOOSTERS SUPPORTED THE FOLLOWING SARATOGA HIGH SCHOOL MUSIC PROGRAMS AND MUSIC STUDENTS:BAND (175 STUDENTS INCLUDING MARCHING AND CONCERT BAND), JAZZ BAND (35 STUDENTS), COLOR GUARD (31 STUDENTS), WINTER GUARD (29 STUDENTS), WINTER PERCUSSION (77 STUDENTS), ORCHESTRA (167 STUDENTS), AND CHOIR (41 STUDENTS).

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 September 1999.

    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.

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.