A Childs Song Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
A CHILDS SONG NURTURES AN APPRECIATION FOR MUSIC WHILE PROVIDING PROGRAMS AND EDUCATION TO SHARE THE DEVELOPMENTAL, HEALING AND SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL BENEFITS OF MUSIC FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS.
- Income
- $514,845
- Spending
- $568,978
- Spent on programs
- 62%
- Reserves
- -0.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 42%
- Employees
- 16
- Volunteers
- 116
- Highest pay
- $74,567, 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: 19 out of 100. Higher than 1% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
2 of 20It owes 99% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 11% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 19% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1561% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 32 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: 87 out of 100. Higher than 79% of charities in its peer group (education, $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
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a 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
12 of 15Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.
No reported misuse
0 of 10Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, 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)
- $235,241 spent. IN-HOUSE INSTRUCTION: WE OFFER PERSONALIZED MUSIC LESSONS AND MOVEMENT PROGRAMS FOR ALL AGEST AND LEVELS. INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP LESSONS, IN-PERSON AND ONLINE, ARE PROVIDED AT OUR MAIN STUDIO IN THORNTON. OTHER PROGRAMS INCLUDE MELODY GYM AND INTERACTIVE METRONOME.
- $92,769 spent. COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAMS: COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAMS FOCUS ON THE INDIVIDUAL NEEDS OF CLIENTS WITH PHYSICAL, DEVELOPMENTAL, BEHAVIORAL, SOCIAL, ECONOMIC OR EMOTIONAL CHALLENGES. A CHILDS SONG HAS ADAPTED OUR GROUP AND PRIVATE INSTRUCTION FOR STUDENTS WHO LEARN AT THEIR OWN UNIQUE PACE. OUR LESSONS ARE TAUGHT BY QUALIFIED INSTRUCTORS WHO ARE FAMILIAR WITH THE MANY AREAS OF THOSE NEEDS. MANY OF OUR MUSIC TEACHERS ARE ALSO CERTIFIED IN MUSIC THERAPY, IM, AND EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION.
- $21,774 spent. SCHOOLS OUTREACH - GRANT FUNDING COUPLED WITH GENEROUS DONATIONS FROM OUR SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY ENABLES A CHILDS SONG TO OFFER SPECIALIZED MUSIC EDUCATION AT AREA SCHOOLS. THROUGH COLLABORATIVE PARTNERSHIPS IN THE DENVER METRO AREA, WE HAVE PROVIDED MUSIC PROGRAMMING IN NUMEROUS DISTRICTS, ENHANCING EXISTING MUSIC PROGRAMS AND EVEN DEVELOPING CORE MUSIC CURRICULUM IN UNDERFUNDED SCHOOLS. WE ALSO PARTNER WITH INDIVIDUAL SCHOOLS TO PROVIDE FUN AND EDUCATIONAL AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN OF ALL AGES. OUR INSTRUCTORS TRAVEL WITH KEYBOARDS, DRUMS, GUITARS, UKULELES AND WHATEVER OTHER INSTRUMENTS WILL HELP SERVE THOSE THEY SUPPORT AND CREATE INDIVIDUALIZED PROGRAMS TO MEET THE SCHOOLS BEFORE, DURING AND/OR AFTER SCHOOL NEEDS.
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 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 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 March 2003.
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.