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Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz

EIN 52-1544030 · Washington, DC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak48 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO OFFER THE WORLD'S MOST PROMISING YOUNG MUSICIANS COLLEGE LEVEL TRAINING BY INTERNATIONALLY RENOWNED JAZZ MASTERS AND TO PRESENT PUBLIC SCHOOL JAZZ EDUCATION PROGRAMS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD.

Income
$3.9 million
Spending
$4.0 million
Spent on programs
92%
Reserves
-0.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 63%
Employees
7
Volunteers
20
Highest pay
$180,000, president

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: 48 out of 100. Higher than 18% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 49% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 8% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    92% 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

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 62% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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 (5)
  1. $1.8 million spent. INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS - THE INSTITUTE OFFERS EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL PROGRAMS INCLUDING SPECIAL PERFORMANCES, TOURS AND INTERNATIONAL JAZZ DAY PROGRAMS THAT REACH PEOPLE WORLDWIDE. THE UNITED NATIONS EDUCATIONAL, SCIENTIFIC AND CULTURAL ORGANIZATION (UNESCO) DESIGNATED APRIL 30 AS INTERNATIONAL JAZZ DAY IN ORDER TO HIGHLIGHT JAZZ AND ITS DIPLOMATIC ROLE OF UNITING PEOPLE IN ALL CORNERS OF THE GLOBE. THE FIRST INTERNATIONAL JAZZ DAY TOOK PLACE ON APRIL 30, 2012. AS THE LEAD NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION CHARGED WITH PLANNING AND PROMOTING THIS ANNUAL CELEBRATION, THE INSTITUTE PRESENTS HIGH-PROFILE CONCERTS AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS FEATURING DOZENS OF WORLD-RENOWNED MUSICIANS. SINCE 1995, THE INSTITUTE HAS PRESENTED CULTURAL, EDUCATIONAL AND DIPLOMATIC TOURS, MANY IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, IN MORE THAN 30 COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD.
  2. $882,763 spent. JAZZ IN THE CLASSROOM - The Institute presents Jazz in the Classroom programs in public schools around the world, exposing young people to the cultural richness of jazz. Master classes, workshops and concerts are presented by leading jazz musicians and educators to help students with their musical instrument training, foster a sense of creativity and self-esteem, and provide role models. Jazz in the classroom brings music educators and major jazz artists into public schools in Washington, DC, Los Angeles, CA and other cities to teach and mentor students.
  3. $628,347 spent. HERBIE HANCOCK INSTITUTE OF JAZZ PERFORMANCE - In September 1995, the Institute established a two-year, accredited, college level program for gifted young musicians to study on a full-time basis. The program offers a Master's degree in jazz performance. The students selected for the program study tuition-free with full room and board stipends provided.
  4. $200,987 spent. HANCOCK JAZZ COMPETITION - THE HERBIE HANCOCK INSTITUTE OF JAZZ INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION IS RECOGNIZED AS THE WORLD'S MOST PRESTIGIOUS JAZZ COMPETITION AND HAS LAUNCHED A NUMBER OF MAJOR PROFESSIONAL JAZZ CAREERS. THE COMPETITION OFFERS YOUNG ASPIRING MUSICIANS FROM AROUND THE WORLD THE OPPORTUNITY TO RECEIVE SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS, AS WELL AS PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES AND INTERNATIONAL EXPOSURE.
  5. $174,081 spent. CURRICULUM - TO PROVIDE AN ONGOING EDUCATION ABOUT JAZZ FOR STUDENTS, THE HERBIE HANCOCK INSTITUTE OF JAZZ HAS DEVELOPED JAZZ IN AMERICA: THE NATIONAL JAZZ CURRICULUM (WWW.JAZZINAMERICA.ORG) AN INTERNET-BASED CURRICULUM FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS. THE CURRICULUM PRESENTS A HISTORICAL OVERVIEW, EXAMINES CHARACTERISTICS OF VARIOUS JAZZ STYLES, HIGHLIGHTS CONTRIBUTIONS OF IMPORTANT PERFORMERS AND COMPOSERS, AND, EXPLORES THE SOCIAL, ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL CONTEXTS WITHIN WHICH JAZZ EVOLVED.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since August 1988.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.