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Pappy Martin Legacy Jazz Collective

EIN 83-1103609 · Buffalo, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Our mission is to execute a multi-pronged approach to perpetuate the historical, cultural, spritual and artistic significance of Jazz for current and future generations through live performances and various other outreach programming.

Income
$399,278
Spending
$289,588
Spent on programs
90%
Reserves
6.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 54%
Employees
0
Volunteers
15
Highest pay
$10,500, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 78% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 27% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 70% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    90% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 91 out of 100. Higher than 79% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 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

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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. $103,845 spent. PAPPY MARTIN LEGACY-MASTEN JAZZ FESTIVAL: The Annual Pappy Martin Legacy-Masten Jazz Festival presents ten live jazz performances during this free 2-day outdoor festival and is the most popular and well attended of our presentations. Held in the heart of Buffalo on the last two Sundays in July from 2pm-8pm, it continues to welcome one of the most diverse Western New York audiences. This years audience of approximately 3,500 attendees were treated to performances featuring 52 stellar Jazz artists that included two National Endowment of the Arts Jazz Masters Kenny Garrett and the late Louis Hayes, creating an impressive line-up. The festival offers an atmosphere within audience members have the opportunity to elevate their consciousness and love of a culture called jazz. By keeping the festival free, centrally located and open to all in the community it executes its mission to create opportunities for diverse community engagement.
  2. $94,468 spent. LOVE SUPREME SCHOOL OF MUSIC (LSSM): It is our belief that a young person does not have a complete education without the study of music. The LSSM; facilitated by our expert teaching artists, provide free piano, guitar, upright bass, trumpet, saxaphone, drum and vocal lessons to Buffalos inner-city youth (grades K-12) augmented by opportunities for overall musical development including performance experience. During 2024, over 100 school age students received free lessons, attended two Jazz history workshops and showcase their talents at the annual Winter Student Recital. By grooming the next generation of musicians and music appreciators, we help to ensure the longevity of this art form. The LSSM provides lessons at space donated by Lincoln Memorial United Methodist Church 641 Masten Avenue Buffalo, NY 14209.
  3. $62,247 spent. CELESTIAL JAZZ WELLNESS SERIES: This program series addresses mental health wellness via Jazz by presenting free live jazz concerts throughout the year in the sacred setting of the inner-city church. During 2024, the series presented six free live Jazz concerts featuring international, national and local artists, including the Love Supreme School of Music students and faculty. These events exemplified our mission to support and showcase underrepresented, underserved and under-resourced musicians and communities. We remain committed to making the art form of jazz physically and financially accessible to the entire community. We believe Jazz is more than mere entertainment,and we provide this forum which audience members can experience and benefit from its spiritual, healing, uplifting and therapeutic power.
  4. Mission Statement continued We honor the continuum of healing music from Africa to Americas only original art form, Jazz. Our commitment is to create accessible opportunities for maginalized musicians and underserved audiences using Jazz to educate, unite, uplift and transform our community.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 October 13, 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 December 2024.

    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 September 2018.

    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 October 21, 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.