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Musical Arts Society of New Orleans

EIN 72-1333207 · New Orleans, LA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair63 out of 100GovernanceGood82 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

MASNO'S VISION IS TO BE A PRIMARY SOURCE IN ESTABLISHING NEW ORLEANS AS A VITAL AND VIBRANT CENTER FOR THE MUSICAL ARTS RECOGNIZED REGIONALLY, NATIONALLY, AND INTERNATIONALLY. MASNO'S MISSION IS 1) TO CREATE OPPORTUNITIES TO HEAR, PARTICIPATE IN, AND APPRECIATE PERFORMANCES OF THE MUSICAL ARTS BY ESTABLISHED AND EMERGING ARTISTS; 2) TO ENCOURAGE THE DEVELOPMENT OF SUPPORTIVE, KNOWLEDGEABLE, AND ENTHUSIASTIC AUDIENCES FOR CONCERTS PRESENTED BY THE MUSICAL ARTS SOCIETY AND OTHER MUSICAL ORGANIZATIONS; 3) TO NURTURE THE DEVELOPMENT OF TALENT; 4) TO CHAMPION MUSIC EDUCATION.

Income
$164,685
Spending
$274,231
Spent on programs
81%
Reserves
6.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 65%
Employees
2
Volunteers
100
Highest pay
$44,000, executive dir.

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: 63 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 6.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 67% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 40% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    81% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 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: 82 out of 100. Higher than 80% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    23 of 23 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

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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 (6)
  1. $151,651 spent. NEW ORLEANS INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION: The goals of the New Orleans International Piano Competition are to provide opportunities for the most gifted and communicative musicians to be heard on an international stage, to play a vital role in launching these young careers, to offer the community a chance to discover the worlds finest pianistic talents, and to bring the world together through music. Held biennially during even-numbered years in conjunction with the annual summer New Orleans Piano Institute and Keyboard Festival, both are presented by the Musical Arts Society of New Orleans. The New Orleans International Piano Competition uses all Steinway Pianos and is a proud member of the Alink-Argerich Foundation and the World Federation of International Music Competitions.
  2. $35,587 spent. NEW ORLEANS PIANO INSTITUTE: Established in 1999, the New Orleans Piano Institute is an annual piano academy taking place concurrently with the New Orleans Keyboard Festival. NOPI Directors invite talented college, high school and junior high pianists from across the United States and around the world to participate in an intensive solo performance program, including private lessons with distinguished faculty, masterclasses, special presentations in piano literature and performance practice, and an opportunity to perform in the Showcase Recital. Students also have the opportunities to compete in both Solo and Concerto Competitions. The winner of the Concerto Competition is invited to return to New Orleans to perform with the New Orleans Civic Symphony in its subsequent season.
  3. $11,658 spent. BACHTOBERFEST: BACHTOBERFEST IS AN OUTDOOR ANNUAL EVEN HELD IN OCTOBER THAT CELEBRATES THE MUSIC OF J.S. BACH AND OTHER GERMAN COMPOSERS.
  4. $10,156 spent. LE PETIT SALON SERIES
  5. $8,024 spent. CONCERTO SHOWCASE
  6. $4,035 spent. OTHER EVENTS AND SALON CONCERTS

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 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 December 2024.

    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 May 1997.

    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.