Refugee Choir Project
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Creating spaces for authentic expression, interconnection, and healing through song and music
- Income
- $168,888
- Spending
- $233,228
- Spent on programs
- 62%
- Reserves
- 2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 98%
- Employees
- 2
- Volunteers
- 75
- Highest pay
- $62,410, executive director
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
Weak: 38 out of 100. Higher than 12% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 2.0 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 38% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 48% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1562% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 31 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Weak: 47 out of 100. Higher than 22% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).
Independent board
25 of 257 of 7 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
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
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)
- $24,845 spent. Creating space for authentic expression: The Tacoma Refugee Choir (TRC) fosters authentic expression through 37 weekly choir rehearsals held in 2025, creating space for honest conversations where people bring their unique gifts and perspectives. Members learn that their voice and stories matter, messages they otherwise hear too seldom. In this supportive environment, members regularly led warm-ups, conducted songs at concerts, and proposed repertoire--for example, members Gail and Katia brought Common Ground and Life to the Choir, which were performed at the June 1 Commond Threads concert. Katia also taught the Choir an entire song in Belarusian, sharing content about the difficult political situation in her country that deepened everyones understanding. The band Naviband was so moved to learn their song had been performed that they posted about it on their Instagram page. This cultivation of authentic expression has transformed members confidence both within and beyond the Choir, with members crediting TRC participation as instrumental in taking first steps in community leadership--including one younger member being offered a public speaking role at the Seattle-based Rhapsody Project after presenting at the national Chorus America conference.
- $112,726 spent. Interconnection and Community Building: TRC events demonstrate the power of interconnection and community building across diverse populations. In 2025, our spring Common Threads concert united 322 people at Theater on the Square through performances featuring community artists, soloists, and a Rwandan dance group, with Choir members passing yarn from stage to the audience as a symbol of the tapestry woven when communities lift each other up. Our Cultural Workshop Series brought programming to six Tacoma neighborhoods--Central, South End, South, Eastside, Northeast, and North End--with an average of 30 participants per workshop learning about Venezuelan, Filipino, and other cultural traditions through music, song, and hands-on participation. Our Youth Program grew to nine schools from elementary through high school level, mostly in South and Eastside Tacoma, culminating in the May 8th Tacoma Sings concert at Mount Tahoma High School, where 400 students performed together before and audience of 600 parents and family members. New and renewed partnerships--including with Tacoma Community House, Tacoma Arts Lives ACE Program, ArtFunds Cultural Partners Network, and Parks Tacoma--are expanding TRCs reach and sustainability across the region.
- $6,070 spent. Healing Through the Arts: TRC provides healing through the arts by creating opportunities for emotional support, creative expression, and meaningful connection. The emotional resonance of TRCs work was evident throughout the 2025 season, with concert audience members sharing powerful responses: I didnt realize how much I needed this. I laughed and cried. It was so powerful, and I received ten years of therapy at this concert. Members have credited TRC with growing their confidence as community leaders, with one survey respondent noting they had begun volunteering in the community through connections made in the Choir. Our School Residency Program brought healing and joy to young people across nine Tacoma public schools, with a program teacher sharing: They are so thrilled with that performance and experience. Thank you so much for everything this semester--its been such a valuable and fun journey. A TPS electives instructor added: There is something powerful that happens when students from many schools and grade levels come together to share their talent. These artistic experiences created safe spaces for processing emotions, building confidence, and experiencing the joy and hope that comes from creative community engagement.
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 August 2017.
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.