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Foundation for the Advancement of Music & Education Inc

EIN 59-3836026 · Upper Marlboro, MD

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood80 out of 100GovernanceGood84 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

FAME prepares middle and high school students for college and career through a four-pronged approach ...music instruction, academic support college preparation, and career readiness.

Income
$695,600
Spending
$653,042
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
3.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 66%
Employees
9
Volunteers
85
Highest pay
$125,000, 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

Good: 80 out of 100. Higher than 53% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 6% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 9% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    89% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Good: 84 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • 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

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • 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 (3)
  1. $349,715 spent. Fame Jazz Band Program(60% of program funding). Its more than just a band- is a high touch year round program that currently serves up to 31 middle and high school youth, up to four hours per week for 44 weeks each year. The progam has four components: Music instruction, Math Tutoring, College Preparation and Career Readiness. With access to strong educators,musical and academic support service and technology, participants demonstrated improved musical and academic knowledge and skills. This years graduates had an average SAT score oe 1260 which is higher than the County average. Participants who took the SAT more than once raised their score by 190 points; and received an aggregate $822,110 in grants and scholarships. They averaged3-9 GPA and all graduates matriculated to colleges and universities- 50% are majoring in music, 25% in science and 25% in business. Several students serve as interns during the summer and on school breaks. Eighty per cent of the students improved their overall musinc abilities and shared their learning and progress with their school music orchestras and bands. All members maintained their current grade level and 50% met the national standards for music and math.
  2. $58,286 spent. Summer Music Program ((10 % program funding). The program served 90 youth at the University of Maryland, College Park and Dr. Henry wise High School through four intensive workshops: Music Technology, Vocal Music, Songwriting and Instrumental Music Intensive.
  3. $174,857 spent. Music Is Central Program (30% of program funding). The program supported 990 students during schoolday and afterschool music programs in elementary, middle and high schools by providing donated instruments, music supplies, advisory services, and guest instructors for under-resourced schools. Eighty percent of the youth are eligible for the Free and Reduced cost Meals. The six supported schools are in Prince Georges, Montgomery and Alexandria counties. Also, this year we opened a state of the art Music Technology Centr at Andrew Jackson Schoo; where 100% of the students receive free and reduced cost lunch.

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 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 December 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 2007.

    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.