Jazz House Kids Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
JAZZ HOUSE KiDS transforms lives using the power and legacy of jazz through world-class education and performances that create avenues of access, learning, career development and community building.
- Income
- $7.9 million
- Spending
- $6.5 million
- Spent on programs
- 82%
- Reserves
- 2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 40%
- Employees
- 90
- Volunteers
- 171
- Highest pay
- $173,694, president
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: 71 out of 100. Higher than 49% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 2.0 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 29% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 18% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 42% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1582% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 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
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2517 of 17 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (3)
- $3.7 million spent. JAZZ HOUSE PROGRAMS: : At JAZZ HOUSE Montclair and the JAZZ HOUSE NYC satellite campus, students ages 8 to 19 from across New Jersey and New York City participate in year-round jazz ensemble and pre-college programs with JAZZ HOUSE KiDS professional teaching artists. Qualifying students receive greatly reduced, need-based tuition assistance. Begun in 2011, CHiCA Power has increased young womens representation in instrumental music ensembles to upwards of 30% to 40%, depending on the program. A free, multi-part JAZZ HOUSE Goes to College series provides guidance with the college preparation, selection and application process and includes a college fair with admissions representatives. Each year, more than 99% of high school seniors at JAZZ HOUSE Montclair go on to attend college or vocational school, with many receiving major scholarships. JAZZ HOUSE KiDS also provides extensive summer programming, including the nationally recognized JAZZ HOUSE Summer Workshop.
- $983,348 spent. MONTCLAIR JAZZ FESTIVAL: Presented annually since 2010, the MONTCLAIR JAZZ FESTIVAL has grown to become New Jerseys largest, free jazz festival with more than 27,000 attendees. This no-tickets-required festival is presented at venues across Montclair and culminates with a multi-stage grand finale featuring world-renowned artists and JAZZ HOUSE KiDS talented students and alumni. The festival generates tremendous revenue for hundreds of local businesses and festival vendors.
- $639,177 spent. IN-SCHOOL PROGRAMS: JAZZ HOUSE MUSIC SCHOLARS PROGRAMS PROVIDE FREE, WEEKLY IN-SCHOOL INSTRUCTION FOR HUNDREDS OF MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS, INCLUDING STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS, IN NEWARK AND OTHER UNDERRESOURCED NEW JERSEY SCHOOL DISTRICTS. STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN SMALL GROUP LESSONS, ENSEMBLE REHEARSALS, SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY CONCERTS AND MASTERCLASSES.
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
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 June 2025.
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 May 2003.
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.