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Barenboim-Said Foundation USA

EIN 56-2468453 · New York, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair61 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROMOTE COEXISTENCE AND INTERACTION AMONGST CULTURES THROUGH MUSIC, PROMOTE MUSIC EDUCATION ON THE PRINCIPLE THAT MUSIC CANNOT BE ISOLATED FROM SOCIETY, AND PROMOTE MUSIC EDUCATION PROJECTS IN ARAB COUNTRIES AND ISRAEL.

Income
$216,233
Spending
$253,803
Spent on programs
57%
Reserves
10.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
3
Volunteers
14
Highest pay
$91,667, executive director

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

Fair: 61 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 10.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 9% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 17% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 19% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    58% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 27 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 92% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 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.

  • 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 (1)
  1. $145,955 spent. THE BARENBOIM-SAID FOUNDATION (USA) SUPPORTS THE CHARITABLE, EDUCATIONAL, AND ARTISTIC ACTIVITIES OF THE WEST-EASTERN DIVAN ORCHESTRA. THE ORCHESTRA IS COMPOSED OF YOUNG MUSICIANS FROM ISRAEL AND VARIOUS ARAB COUNTRIES AND SEEKS TO COMBINE MUSICAL STUDY AND DEVELOPMENT WITH THE SHARING OF KNOWLEDGE AND AWARENESS BETWEEN PEOPLE FROM DIFFERENT CULTURES AND BACKGROUNDS.THE PATHWAY TO EXCELLENCE PROJECT IS FOCUSED ON DEVELOPING THE MUSICAL AND HUMANISTIC EDUCATION OF FUTURE GENERATIONS OF YOUNG PEOPLE FROM THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA. THE GOAL IS TO EXPAND OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE BY PROVIDING THE EDUCATIONAL TRAINING NECESSARY FOR THEM TO BECOME WORLD-CLASS MUSICIANS AND AMBASSADORS FOR THE VALUES OF HUMANISM.

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 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 December 2024.

    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 2005.

    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.