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Music in the Mountains Inc

EIN 74-2550850 · Durango, CO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong95 out of 100GovernanceStrong94 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

To produce an exceptional summer music festival with musicians of the highest caliber, entertain, educate and delight audiences with the richness of classical music, and complement the concerts with a year round education program for youth.

Income
$1.1 million
Spending
$1.1 million
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
22.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 62%
Employees
3
Volunteers
82
Highest pay
$124,506, executive dir.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 95 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 22.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 5% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 94 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 15 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a 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

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    9 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 September 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 (1)
  1. $935,597 spent. Music in the Mountains entered the 2025 Festival season with strong confidence following the success of 2024. We continued to present our popular free community concert series alongside our traditional three-week orchestral season, extending the festival to a full four weeks of music-making. The 2025 season marked a milestone year-the first under the artistic leadership of Vadim Gluzman, internationally renowned violinist. It was also the debut of our new festival model, featuring a rotating world-class conductor each season and a progressive performance structure that builds from chamber music to chamber orchestra, culminating in two weekends of full festival orchestra concerts. The new format generated enthusiasm from audiences, musicians, and donors alike. -Fiscal Management & Donor Relations: Management maintained a disciplined focus on expense control while continuing to cultivate strong donor, sponsor, and grant relationships. -Inflationary Pressures: Rising costs across nearly all operational areas-artist fees, production, and administration-had a noticeable impact on the organization's financial position. -Staff & Contractor Retention: We achieved 100% retention in all key positions, including executive director, technical director, orchestra manager and librarian, operations manager, graphic designer, digital marketer, and office volunteers. Maintaining full-time staff year-round increased expenses but significantly improved efficiency and consistency. -Musician Housing Success: The home-host program had a robust year and resulted in significant savings in housing costs while strengthening relationships between visiting musicians and the community. -Financial Position: The current year-end bottom line may appear more favorable than it truly is. As with many performing arts nonprofits, our financial health depends on continued philanthropic support from individuals, corporations, and foundations to sustain artistic excellence and community access. Looking ahead, Festival 2026 will be both a celebration and a milestonethe 40th Anniversary Season of Music in the Mountains. The festival will return to a full three-week orchestral schedule at the Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College, complemented by a dedicated week of free community outreach concerts throughout the region. In addition, 2026 will mark the launch of the Music in the Mountains Violin Academy with Vadim Gluzman, a one-week immersive program bringing together exceptional young violinists from around the world. This exciting new educational initiative honors the festival's legacy while investing in the next generation of artists and audiences.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 November 6, 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 September 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 June 1990.

    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 November 4, 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.