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Music Changing Lives

EIN 58-2672644 · Moreno Valley, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair56 out of 100GovernanceWeak16 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

At Music Changing Lives, our mission is to oofer the highest quality music and art enrichment programs paired with academic support to underpriviled and at-risk youth ages 5 and older. We work to improve their chances of achieving a positive and successful future and trnsform them into active and knowledge civic participants

Income
$1.4 million
Spending
$1.3 million
Spent on programs
81%
Reserves
-18.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 98%
Employees
13
Volunteers
7

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: 56 out of 100. Higher than 29% 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.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 19% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    81% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Weak: 16 out of 100. Higher than 0% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    2 of 5 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

    0 of 5

    Reports that it does not keep minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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 (3)
  1. $356,646 spent. Our Changing Lives Showcase has been altered from only being offered in one school district to us now hosting outdoor concerts and developing a virtual model that has given us a global reach as well due to the pandemic, which has benefited not only us but also the young adults we can serve. Thanks to our gracious donors weve grown from only hosting one show a year to now hosting a pop show every 3rd Saturday of the month and had some of the world most renowned artists performing for us now.
  2. $356,646 spent. Through our Random Act of Kindness Toy drive were blessed to bring the holiday spirit and joy of Christmas to thousands of children in need with the help of several sponsors this year our team collected over 100,000 toys and we reached over 25 cities across Southern and Northern California and even had representatives distribute toys in Las Vegas, Seattle Washington, Mexico and Haiti.
  3. $356,645 spent. Music Changing Lives Hunger Relief Program IE is a food distribution program that strengthens the nutrition safety net through the distribution of fresh organic produce every Wednesday and other nutrition assistance to children, low-income families, emergency feeding programs, and the elderly. This year wei?ve distributed

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 October 13, 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 May 2004.

    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 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.