The College Music Society
Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.
What it says it does
THE SOCIETY IS DEDICATED TO THE ADVANCEMENT OF MUSIC TEACHING, LEARNING, SCHOLARSHIP, PERFORMANCE, AND CREATIVE ACTIVITY. ROOTED IN HIGHER EDUCATION, CMS SERVES AS AN INCLUSIVE FORUM FOR DIALOGUE AND COLLABORATION AMONG MUSIC PROFESSIONALS ACROSS ALL DISCIPLINES AND CAREER PATHS. WE SUPPORT FACULTY, STUDENTS, INDEPENDENT SCHOLARS, AND INDUSTRY PARTNERS BY FOSTERING INNOVATION, PROMOTING DIVERSITY, AND ENCOURAGING THE EXCHANGE OF IDEAS TO SHAPE THE FUTURE OF MUSIC IN SOCIETY. THROUGH ADVOCACY, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, CMS EMPOWERS I
- Income
- $1.0 million
- Spending
- $1.0 million
- Employees
- 8
- Volunteers
- 100
- Highest pay
- $57,750, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Governance
This return does not answer enough of the governance questions to score.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. 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 (3)
- PUBLICATIONS/INFORMATION: THE COLLEGE MUSIC SOCIETY PUBLISHES AND CURATES PROFESSIONAL RESOURCES, INCLUDING COLLEGE MUSIC SYMPOSIUM, REPORTS, AND BOOKS/MONOGRAPHS, TO SUPPORT MUSIC TEACHING, LEARNING, SCHOLARSHIP, PERFORMANCE, AND HIGHER EDUCATION.
- CONFERENCES: REGIONAL, NATIONAL, AND INTERNATIONAL CMS CONFERENCES PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PRESENTATIONS, PERFORMANCES, RESEARCH SHARING, AND DISCUSSION OF CURRICULAR, PROFESSIONAL, AND CULTURAL ISSUES IN MUSIC AND HIGHER EDUCATION.
- OUTREACH & ENGAGEMENT: CMS ADVANCES ADVOCACY, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, CONNECTING THE HIGHER EDUCATION MUSIC COMMUNITY WITH BROADER PUBLICS AND PARTNER COMMUNITIES.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. 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)(6) business league.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 September 30, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Caution.
The IRS master file records contributions to this 501(c)(6) business league as not deductible.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since August 1996.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.