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Austin Classical Guitar Society

EIN 74-2595883 · Austin, TX

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood89 out of 100GovernanceStrong94 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO INSPIRE INDIVIDUALS IN THE COMMUNITY THROUGH EXPERIENCES OF DEEP PERSONAL SIGNIFICANCE.

Income
$2.7 million
Spending
$1.9 million
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
6.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 82%
Employees
23
Volunteers
100
Highest pay
$78,160, executive director

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: 89 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 26% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 29% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 55% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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: 94 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    18 of 18 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 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 (4)
  1. $490,960 spent. ARTISTIC PROGRAMMING ARTISTIC PROGRAMMING CONSISTS OF CONCERTS, ORIGINAL PRODUCTIONS, COMMISSIONED WORKS, ARTIST RESIDENCIES, AND RELATED PUBLIC EVENTS FEATURING LOCAL, NATIONAL, AND INTERNATIONAL ARTISTS. THESE PROGRAMS SUPPORT ACGS MISSION BY CREATING MEANINGFUL ARTISTIC EXPERIENCES THAT CONNECT AUDIENCES, ARTISTS, AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS THROUGH MUSIC.
  2. $124,890 spent. COMMUNITY OUTREACH COMMUNITY OUTREACH CONSISTS OF PERFORMANCES, WORKSHOPS, AND ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES PRESENTED IN COLLABORATION WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS. THESE PROGRAMS ARE INTENDED TO EXPAND ACCESS TO MUSIC BY REDUCING BARRIERS TO PARTICIPATION AND SERVING AUDIENCES BEYOND ACGS REGULAR CONCERT SETTINGS.
  3. $768,752 spent. EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH CONSISTS OF CLASSROOM-BASED MUSIC EDUCATION, CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT AND PUBLISHING, TEACHER TRAINING, STUDENT PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES, AND RELATED EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT. THESE PROGRAMS SERVE STUDENTS, EDUCATORS, AND PARTNER SCHOOLS IN AUSTIN AND BEYOND, JUVENILE JUSTICE SETTINGS AND BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED LEARNERS.
  4. $267,345 spent. PUBLIC SERVICE PUBLIC SERVICE CONSISTS OF YOUTH AND ADULT ENSEMBLES, SUMMER CAMPS, CLASSES, WORKSHOPS, AND RELATED PARTICIPATORY PROGRAMS FOR AMATEUR GUITARISTS. THESE PROGRAMS ARE DESIGNED TO PROVIDE ACCESSIBLE MUSIC- LEARNING AND PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDIVIDUALS OF VARYING AGES AND EXPERIENCE LEVELS.

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

  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 August 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 September 1996.

    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.