James Dick Foundation for the Performing Arts
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
James Dick Foundation for the Performing Arts operates Round Top Festival Institute, a center for performance and learning, which assembles music mentors with students and experts in arts/humanities to present cultural programs for student and public benefit.
- Income
- $2.8 million
- Spending
- $3.1 million
- Spent on programs
- 86%
- Reserves
- 14.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 59%
- Employees
- 38
- Volunteers
- 71
- Highest pay
- $66,374, president
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 84 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 14.2 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 1% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 10% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 6% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1586% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2510 of 11 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 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 (1)
- $2.7 million spent. The James Dick Foundation for the Performing Arts was established as a school to (a) conduct education and training for young performers, (b) provide and develop an advanced level of curriculum, faculty and facilities for instruction and year-round public performances and (c) conduct festivals, workshops and other educational activities for artistic training, research, and education of the general public.See Schedule O for additional details. Round Top Music Festival: Annually, one hundred or so advanced young music students representing an average of eleven countries come to study under the organization's accomplished music faculty and six different conductors from around the world. The young artists work with the faculty to study and improve their instrumental and performance skills and learn and perform chamber music programs and a new orchestral concert each week. Their instruction is tuition-free. The students pay a nominal fee to cover part of their room and board. The James Dick Foundation provides housing and meals to the young artists, faculty, and guest conductors on our 110-acre campus. The August-to-April Concert Series includes a variety of performances including piano recitals, bell ringers, and brass concerts; instrumental ensembles from various universities; the Nutcracker Ballet danced by children for children of all ages; and various choral groups. These events bring over 5,000 visitors to Festival Hill each year. The events are designed to teach and entertain. Between artistic events, the campus is used for conferences. As part of community outreach, the campus is used for regional high school track meets. The hall is also used by high school bands and choral groups, and for local school graduations. Meeting facilities are also made available to other nonprofits in the area. August-to-April Forum Series: The three forums typically presented each year offer educational and exploratory experiences in the arts and humanities.- Theater Forum at Round Top - The annual three-day forum is designed to heighten the awareness of theater and the world of music through talks and performances by theatrical scholars and practitioners for students, teachers, and the general public. - Herbal Forum at Round Top - The annual two-day forum attracts between two and three hundred plant lovers, gardeners, and herbalists to the campus each year. On the first day, registrants can participate in interactive workshops on various botanical arts and culinary practices, among others. The following day offers a schedule of educational lectures and presentations in the concert hall by professionals on the culinary and medicinal benefits and uses of various herbs, plants, and spices. - Poetry at Round Top - The three-day forum is an annual festival presenting the nation's most exciting and prominent poets. Forum participants experience poetry through readings, workshops, and conversations. Manuscript consultations and workshops are offered to assist students in creative writing programs and aspiring poets from all walks of life in the craft of poetry. The forum also offers an afternoon designed for selected secondary school students and teachers, featuring training through readings and workshops.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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.
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.
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.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending August 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since October 1972.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.