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Youth Orchestras of Palm Beach County Inc

EIN 65-0515153 · Boca Raton, FL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair60 out of 100GovernanceWeak41 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

MissionThe mission of the Youth Orchestra of Palm Beach County (YOPBC) is to provide exceptional music education and performing experiences through youth development and community engagement while cultivating an appreciation of classical music within the communityHistoryEstablished as a nonprofit organization in 1993, with support from the Junior League of Boca Raton, YOPBC debuted to the public in 1994, at the annual Spotlight on Young Musicians concert held at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts.Since its earliest days, YOPBC has provided high-quality music instruction and performing opportunities to young musicians from throughout Palm Beach County and northern Broward County. Gaining visibility every year, YOPBC is highly respected in the community as a longstanding cultural arts organization and for the excellent concert it offers to the community.In the years prior to the pandemic, YOPBC membership numbers hovered around 180. Like all cultural organizations, YOPBC closed it

Income
$212,691
Spending
$187,879
Spent on programs
100%
Reserves
2.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 67%
Employees
2
Volunteers
10
Highest pay
$26,426, executive dir.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 60 out of 100. Higher than 29% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 67% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 12% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 42% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    100% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Weak: 41 out of 100. Higher than 16% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 6 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.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

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

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 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 (2)
  1. $161,409 spent. An Unparalleled Music Program for Kids of All AgesNearly 150 musicians, ages seven to 22, are currently members of Youth Orchestra of Palm Beach County (YOPBC). For 30 years, YOPBC has funneled its young musicians into one of four orchestras: Training for beginning strings only String for intermediate-level strings musicians Symphony for advanced intermediate full orchestra (all instruments) Philharmonic for the most advanced full orchestra members who wish play professional-level repertoireAuditions are required for all potential musicians. Auditions determine which orchestra a child is placed in. YOPBC also offers musicians who wish to and who are qualified to play chamber music in addition to YOPBCs standard repertoire. YOPBC has five YOPBC chamber ensembles (string, woodwind, saxophone, brass, and percussion). These chamber ensembles perform at all YOPBC concerts. Rehearsals are held for all orchestras and chamber ensembles at staggered times on Sunday afternoons from August to May each season. Our rehearsal venue is at the Don Estridge High Tech Middle School in Boca Raton. We Proudly IntroduceThe 2024-25 season will be introducing an important restructuring of its orchestras. Thanks to a grant of $100K from Impact 100 Palm Beach County, YOPBC will be replacing its Training Orchestra with a 100% free beginners orchestra that is modeled after the highly regarded El Sistema free orchestra program. Children will no longer need to audition for this beginners orchestra. This restructuring has been designed to provide those children from low-to-moderate income households with access to free music instruction, rehearsals, and performing opportunities. The program has been named, Equity in the Arts Music for All. Those children who wish to join this new beginners orchestra but who do not come from low-to-moderate income households are invited to join at a modest fee. YOPBC is proud of its decision to make its program even more equitable than it already was. Esteemed FacultyA large part of what makes YOPBC programs so successful is the highly qualified staff of credentialed music educators who teach, conduct, and truly understand how to enliven young minds with hands-on learning through music.In addition, YOPBC, offers other wonderful opportunities for kids:Summer Camp - YOPBCs Summer Music Day Camp is completely unique because our camp gives kids MUSIC and MORE! We stand out because we teach ALL instruments AND because we accept beginning students on most instruments. Unlike most music camps, we provide a fun schedule of varied day camp activities in addition to musicactivities such as organized sports, arts and crafts, private lessons, guest artist performances, as well as field trips to local attractions, and as you would expect, lots of music! In addition, we offer late pickup and carpool assistance. At camp we also have elective classes that include Music Technology, All State Boot Camp, Music Theory the Fun Way, Conducting and much more! Within the camp structure, is our very popular Learn to Play program for beginners. Learn to Play is perfect for students who want to start a second instrument, or for students who want to try a different instrument without the pressure or commitment of learning during the regular school year. The Learn to Play program includes a FREE instrument loaner. We believe we have a program for every student at every level beginning, intermediate and advanced.Mentorship Program with The Symphonia - This exciting program partners advanced student musicians from YOPBCs Philharmonic Orchestra with professional musicians from The Symphonia, South Floridas premier professional chamber orchestra. This program is called The Symphonia/YOPBC Mentoring Initiative. Student musicians learn alongside Symphonia musicians and culminate the season by performing with their mentors as part of a free side-by-side concert for the community. Mini Mozart Program - for children ages five through eight who have never studied any musical instrument. Mini Mozart sessions are offered in venues through the county. The children who enroll in Mini Mozart are in line to become future members of YOPBC. Who We ServeSince its inception, YOPBC has welcomed children from all socio-economic groups, with approximately 15 percent of the children from low-to-moderate income households. Believing that music education should be available to all, YOPBC provides merit and need-based scholarships. No child has ever been turned away from YOPBC because of the inability to pay.LeadershipOur Board of Directors and artistic staff are committed to ensuring that YOPBC remains a relevant and vibrant organization that serves the entire community. We depend on donations, sponsorships, and grant funding to support our daily operation. Our board members and parents volunteer to make the organization run smoothly.
  2. $26,470 spent. Summer Camp - YOPBCs Summer Music Day Camp is completely unique because our camp gives kids MUSIC and MORE! We stand out because we teach ALL instruments AND because we accept beginning students on most instruments. Unlike most music camps, we provide a fun schedule of varied day camp activities in addition to musicactivities such as organized sports, arts and crafts, private lessons, guest artist performances, as well as field trips to local attractions, and as you would expect, lots of music! In addition, we offer late pickup and carpool assistance. At camp we also have elective classes that include Music Technology, All State Boot Camp, Music Theory the Fun Way, Conducting and much more! Within the camp structure, is our very popular Learn to Play program for beginners. Learn to Play is perfect for students who want to start a second instrument, or for students who want to try a different instrument without the pressure or commitment of learning during the regular school year. The Learn to Play program includes a FREE instrument loaner. We believe we have a program for every student at every level beginning, intermediate and advanced.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 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 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 July 2025.

    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 November 1994.

    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.