The Vail Jazz Foundation Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
TO PERPETUATE JAZZ MUSIC THROUGH THE PRESENTATION OF JAZZ PERFORMANCES AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS.
- Income
- $705,910
- Spending
- $866,139
- Spent on programs
- 53%
- Reserves
- 2.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 76%
- Employees
- 4
- Volunteers
- 17
- Highest pay
- $98,500, executive di
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
Weak: 34 out of 100. Higher than 6% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 2.3 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 19% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 23% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 31% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1553% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 17 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
Good: 76 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 256 of 6 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a 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.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
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, 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 (3)
- $361,238 spent. THE VAIL JAZZ FESTIVAL FEATURES A JAM-PACKED LINEUP WITH SEVERAL HEADLINERS THAT JOIN TOGETHER TO PLAY IN GROUP PERFORMANCES, MULTI-ARTIST JAM SESSIONS, AND INSPIRING MULTIMEDIA TRIBUTES TO JAZZ LEGENDS. LOCATED AT THE MANOR VAIL LODGE, FACING VAIL MOUNTAIN, THE VAIL JAZZ FESTIVAL HAS CEMENTED ITS REPUTATION AS THE PREMIER LABOR DAY WEEKEND EVENT.
- $51,440 spent. THE VAIL JAZZ WORKSHOP IS AMONG PRE-COLLEGE MUSICIANS' MOST COVETED MUSIC SCHOLARSHIPS. EACH YEAR, A DOZEN OF NORTH AMERICA'S MOST DEDICATED, GIFTED, AND PROMISING YOUNG JAZZ MUSICIANS ARE CHOSEN FROM A BROAD FIELD OF TALENTED APPLICANTS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE 9-DAY VAIL JAZZ WORKSHOP IN VAIL, COLORADO. IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE VAIL JAZZ FESTIVAL, THIS HIGHLY- REGARDED SUMMER PROGRAM ENTERS ITS 30TH YEAR, MENTORING OVER 300 HIGH SCHOOL-AGED MUSICIANS SINCE ITS INCEPTION. THE VJ WORKSHOP PROVIDES A UNIQUE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT FOR STUDENT MUSICIANS.
- $43,107 spent. VAIL JAZZ GOES TO SCHOOL: VAIL JAZZ GOES TO SCHOOL HAS BROUGHT JAZZ EDUCATION TO 4TH AND 5TH GRADERS ACROSS EAGLE COUNTY FOR THE PAST 29 YEARS. TAUGHT BY TOP JAZZ MUSICIANS AND EDUCATORS IN THE VAIL VALLEY, THE PROGRAM IS ANCHORED IN THE IDEA THAT MEMORIES ARE MADE BY EMBRACING THE ENERGY OF IN-PERSON PERFORMANCE: LIVING IN THAT MOMENT, ENVIRONMENT, AND ATMOSPHERE.
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
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 October 13, 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 2024.
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 December 1995.
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 October 21, 2026.
Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.
A much larger organization has a similar name: The V Foundation (Cary, NC), EIN 13-3705951. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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.