Zado
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Mastering as a performing group and educating the public about Balkan/Eastern European and other related international vocal folk music and singing techniques: Collaborate with other musicians and/or choral groups. Perform this music for a wide variety of audiences and venues. Provide instruction in choral styles, languages, and arrangements of this music. Provide high quality audio and video recordings of this music that are culturally accurate and make available in physical and digital media.
- Income
- $5,071
- Spending
- $650
- Spent on programs
- 100%
- Reserves
- Over 10 years of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 80%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 4
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. 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 December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Fair: 54 out of 100. Higher than 39% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).
Independent board
18 of 254 of 4 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no 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.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 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 (3)
- $301 spent. Research, record, preserve, and distribute Balkan/Eastern European and other international vocal folk music: Researched over 70 Balkan, Slavic, Middle Eastern, and English folk and contemporary songs for performances in 2025. Provided live performances and physical media of music files. Provided digital files via the internet and social media/music streaming services. Includes mailing expenses and fees charged by online/streaming services to distribute electronic files. Includes expenses of maintaining a web presence. Physical media is deducted from inventory and revenue is counted when it is received.
- $300 spent. Educate and inspire others through performances; recruit new singers and teach them folk songs and techniques; and present programs and develop new musical art forms for greater Sacramento area communities: Worked on final submission artwork requirements and rebranding towards distributing CA Arts Council grant to restore and remaster 57 prior audio recordings, now pushed back to 2026 publishing. Provided a workshop for Zado members on vocal techniques, voice placement, and Bulgarian singing with master Bulgarian vocalist and teacher Tzvetanka Varimezova. Collaborated with local artist Mary Sand to present Balkan folk songs at local Kicksville Viny & Vintage. Returned to again perform at a World Music Unitarian Universalist Society of Sacramento benefit for Afghan refugees. Added 3 more possible singers.
- $49 spent. Maintain internal support, management, administration, and volunteers to allow Zado to thrive and continue to serve the community in a cost-effective way: Completed all annual administrative steps necessary to maintain 501(c)(3) status. All Zado Board members and singers continued as unpaid volunteers who provide these services. Zado music director continued as unpaid volunteer. Overall administrative/implementation expenses that affect all program services for 2025 are listed in this 4c section (government, fundraising, and bank service fees). Administrative expenses relating to each separate program service are included in the totals shown in 4a and 4b sections.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 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 November 6, 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 December 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 2016.
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 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.