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Passes our checks

Bronx School for Music Inc

EIN 85-4066770 · Bronx, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair58 out of 100GovernanceGood82 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

BRONX SCHOOL OF MUSIC'S MISSION IS TO PROVIDE CHILDREN OF THE BRONX COMMUNITY WITH AFFORDABLE AND HIGH-QUALITY PRIVATE INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC LESSONS AND MUSIC ENRICHMENT CLASSES IN A FACILITY THAT IS DEDICATED TO THE STUDENTS IT SERVES. BSM WILL PROVIDE STUDENTS WHO DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO PRACTICE SPACE AND HIGH-QUALITY INSTRUMENTS WITH A SPACE THAT WILL HELP THEM DEVELOP AND HONE THEIR ARTISTIC SKILLS IF THEY NEED IT OUTSIDE OF THEIR HOME.

Income
$672,157
Spending
$675,982
Spent on programs
76%
Reserves
1.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 61%
Employees
31
Volunteers
4
Highest pay
$92,031, president

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 58 out of 100. Higher than 26% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 36% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 12% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    76% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 82 out of 100. Higher than 66% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $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

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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

    12 of 15

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

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

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

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 (1)
  1. $516,229 spent. THE BRONX SCHOOL FOR MUSIC PROVIDES BRONX CHILDREN WITH AFFORDABLE AND ACCESSIBLE INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP MUSIC INSTRUCTION IN A SPACE ENTIRELY DEDICATED TO MUSICAL INSTRUCTION AND EXPLORATION. THE HEART OF THE BRONX SCHOOL FOR MUSIC'S PROGRAM IS TO FOCUS ON INDIVIDUALLY CATERED, ONE-ON-ONE MUSIC INSTRUCTION FROM LEADING PERFORMERS AND EDUCATORS BASED IN NEW YORK CITY . CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF FIVE ENROLL IN EARLY CHILDHOOD MUSIC AND TRANSITION TO PRIVATE LESSONS WHEN THEY ARE ELIGIBLE. WE BELIEVE THAT AN ENVIRONMENT DEDICATED TO THE ARTS WILL INSPIRE STUDENTS TO EXPLORE THEIR ARTISTIC SKILLS, OFFER THEM A SOCIAL OUTLET TO SHARE TALENTS WITH LIKE-MINDED PEERS, AND ENCOURAGE THEM TO BUILD NEW RELATIONSHIPS ACROSS OUR SCHOOL COMMUNITY.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 June 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 March 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.