Richmond Jazz Society Incorporated
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
To engage in education, preservation, and advancement of Jazz.
- Income
- $115,916
- Spending
- $110,485
- Reserves
- 4.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 53%
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending May 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 May 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 May 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 (2)
- $83,321 spent. Daily Operations: RJS maintained its professional office space and provided resource and informational assistance to area students, journalists, researchers, arts organizations, musicians, and the general public. RJS regained its status as a major clearinghouse for Jazz support and technical services for area arts and civic organizations. Services included media interviews: VA. Jazz historic biographies; artist referrals; event planning and promotional support. Jazz preservation is a major component of our mission to educate the public and advance Jazz as an American art form. RJS continued to receive Jazz archival content from the general public including photographs, recordings, books, instruments, and other memorabilia from residents and the estates of muscians. RJS Executive Director and volunteers processed these items; digitized where appropriate; documented them. RJS maintained the organization's two independent, temperature-controlled, secured archival storage where the materials are stored. Programs Education & Outreach Programs:Our education and outreach programs feature are unique, participartory ensembles, "Make Music With Me Band"for children audiences and "Bright Moments Jazz Band"for seniors. Children's audiences learn about Jazz music's rhythms and harmonies and are invited to play instruments and dance with the band. Senior audiences enjoy singing and dancing to the songs of their youth. Services RJS' Artist Referral Booking Service has made the organization the largest agency for booking Jazz artist in our region, matching presenters with musicians who are appropriate for their events. The Artist Referral Service assists the musicians with much-needed income and helps RJS improve the quality of life for members and our community. In FY 24-25 RJS Artist Referral Service provided 67 performance opportunities for 336 artists generating $43,280 for are Jazz musicians. CollaborationsRJS is the major clearinghouse for Jazz collaboration, support and techincal services for our area arts, culture and civic organizations, city and state tourism agencies and the community at large. Collaborations include VMFA, VCU, Senior Connections, Richmond Regional Tourism, Virginia Tourism, Henrico County Council of PTS's, etc. Our services include artist referrals and bookings; emcees and guest lecturers, event planning, media interviews; and promotional support; all available throughout the year. Program and Technical Support:RJS provided performances, program and technical support events sponsored by the Black History Museum of Virginia, CultureWorks of Richmond; the Branch Museum of Architecture, VA Museum of Fine Arts...RJS' ongoing partnership with the Va Museum of Fine Arts' Dominion Energy Jazz Cafe' continues to be successful. The 52-week series in the museum's Cochrane Atrium received overwhelming support from the public, with hundred's of attendess each week. The RJS curates the series: secures the musicians, contracts and provides traditional Jazz to contemporary styles and pay homage to multi-cultural influences including Klezmer, Africa, Caribbean and other styles. Publications/Media Projects:RJS maintained contact with its clientele via monthly Constant Contact emails and weekly social media updates. Its Facebook page has over 3,000 followers.RJS is currently co-producing a Jazz recording in collaboration with an area local collective group of musicians and producers, The RVA Jazz Collective. The recording, "Daddy, What is Jazz?" features instrumental music and spoken word to help educators, parents and grandparents teach their children about Jazz - American Classical Music. It features over 40 of Richmond's most talented and celebrated Jazz artist and producers including Lonnie Liston Smith, J. Plunky Branch, Desiree Roots, Bill McGee, Lance Dickerson, Dr. Weldon Hill, James Gates and Bill McGee. The recording will be available in CD and LP formats and for sale to the public by Fall 2025. The recording will also be submitted for consideration of a Grammy nomination in various categories.
- Donated program services were provided at the fair value of $7,076 in the areas of contractual and educational services, advertising, contract services, entertainment, printing, promotional materials, musician fees, occupancy, printing, professional fees, operating supplies, equipment and facility rental, and preservation project.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending May 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 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 May 2026.
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 September 1981.
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.