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Department of Sound

EIN 83-3486258 · Sacramento, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak40 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Raising each dollar of donations cost 79 cents.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

Department of Sound empowers under-resourced Sacramento youth through music and podcast production, mentorship, and creating safe spaces for authentic self-expression, emotional growth, and community leadership.

Income
$410,958
Spending
$570,377
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
1.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 95%
Employees
3
Volunteers
3
Highest pay
$124,800, chief executive officer

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: 40 out of 100. Higher than 9% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 8% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 39% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 8% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    83% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 79 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

Strong: 91 out of 100. Higher than 80% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    4 of 5 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, 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 (5)
  1. $238,746 spent. Through our Amplifying Voices program, Department of Sound partners with the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation and Wilton Rancheria to produce documentary content, podcasts, and community events that center Indigenous voices, document tribal cultural knowledge, and elevate mental-wellness conversations within tribal communities.
  2. $155,561 spent. The Sound Business Summit, funded by the City of Sacramento American Rescue Plan Act Reinvestment Fund, delivered six cohort-based workshops to 150 Sacramento-based independent music creators. Programming combined business education (Center for Creative Entrepreneurship's 'Making Music with Music' curriculum), digital tool access (Venice Music memberships), and facilitated networking at Shattered Records studio.
  3. $33,767 spent. Dept of Sound continued its partnership with Sacramento Municipal Utility District through its Sustainable Communities program to produce The Power of Wind podcast workshop series, introducing youth to wind power technology, clean-energy careers, and audio storytelling while incorporating sound mind mental health practices.
  4. $45,004 spent. Our Sound Mind Initiative workshops are delivered at partner schools and after-school community centers. In addition to immersive lessons in music and podcast production, participants practice breath-work, journaling, and other wellness techniques from our Sound Mind curriculum, produce original audio stories, and attend a capstone studio day at Shattered Records where our instructors, engineers, and guest mentors outline real-world career paths in audio and media.
  5. Since launching programming in 2018, Department of Sound has engaged 10,000+ Sacramento youth across school- and community-based partnerships, with 2,500 youth served in the most recent year alone and 8,500+ cumulative curriculum and engagement touchpoints. Programming has reached youth through 24 five-week workshop cohorts (480 youth), three Youth Music & Wellness Symposiums (300 youth), eight Youth Studio Showcases at Shattered Records (200 participants), and three Amplify! Youth Concerts (500+ youth in Year 1; 2,500 cumulative across Years 2-3). Key school district partners include Sacramento City USD, Elk Grove USD, and Twin Rivers USD; community center partners include La Familia Counseling Center, Rose Family Creative Empowerment Center, Sacramento Chinese Community Service Center, Oak Park Community Center, Roberts Family Development Center, BTU Arts, Sacramento Library, and Armstead Academy Project. The 2025 Sound Business Summit served 150 Sacramento-based independent music creators with a 4.8/5 overall satisfaction rating.

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

  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 December 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 April 2021.

    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.