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Jazz in Arizona Inc

EIN 86-0331150 · Phoenix, AZ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak32 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

JAZZ IN ARIZONA SUPPORTS AND CELEBRATES THE RICH TRADITION AND ONGOING INNOVATION OF JAZZ BY PRESENTING QUALITY LIVE PERFORMANCES, PROVIDING UNIQUE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, AND BUILDING A VIBRANT JAZZ COMMUNITY IN THE GREATER PHOENIX AREA AND BEYOND.(CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O) THE GOAL OF THE ORGANIZATION IS TO CREATE AND NURTURE AN "INTERACTIVE JAZZ COMMUNITY" FOR ITS MEMBERS AND SUPPORTERS, MUSICIANS, STUDENTS AND EDUCATORS, WHILE PROMOTING JAZZ TO THE PUBLIC-AT-LARGE. THE CONSTANT ENGAGEMENT OF NEW AUDIENCES AND COMMUNICATION WITH EXISTING AUDIENCES IS ESSENTIAL TO THE VITALITY OF JAZZ NOW AND FOR THE FUTURE. THE NASH FLOURISHES THROUGH THE GENEROSITY OF INDIVIDUALS, BUSINESSES AND CORPORATIONS, AND FOUNDATIONS. PROMOTIONAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDE THE MAINTENANCE OF OUR WEBSITE, REGULAR EMAIL BLASTS AND NEWSLETTERS, POSTING OF LIVE JAZZ EVENTS ON MULTIPLE COMMUNITY CALENDARS, AND MEDIA RELATIONS FOR THE PURPOSE OF ATTRACTING AUDIENCES AND SUPPORT FOR JAZZ.

Income
$2.0 million
Spending
$1.9 million
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
-2.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 59%
Employees
20
Volunteers
60
Highest pay
$89,800, executive director (end 4/30/25)

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

Weak: 32 out of 100. Higher than 5% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 69% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 30% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 15 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

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 49% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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 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 (2)
  1. $1.0 million spent. JAZZ IN ARIZONA OPERATES A PERFORMANCE VENUE, THE NASH, WHICH PRESERVES THE CULTURAL TREASURE OF AMERICAN MUSIC HISTORY, SHOWCASES LIVE PERFORMANCES AND ENSURES THE FUTURE OF THE ICONIC ART OF JAZZ FOR GENERATIONS TO COME. PERFORMANCE PROGRAMS INCLUDE CLASSIC JAZZ AND NEW MUSIC PERFORMED BY LOCAL PROFESSIONAL AND TOURING ARTISTS, PERFORMANCES BY STUDENT MUSICIANS; AND WEEKLY JAZZ JAM SESSIONS. THE NASH SERVES THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY BASED ON THE CONVICTION THAT JAZZ IS FOR EVERYONE: CHILDREN, ADULTS, SENIORS AND FAMILIES; MUSICIANS AND NON-MUSICIANS; PRIVILEGED AND UNDER-SERVED YOUTH. THE NASH OPERATES IN COLLABORATION WITH SCHOOLS AND OTHER ARTS AND CULTURE ORGANIZATIONS IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD, ACROSS THE VALLEY, AND THROUGHOUT AMERICA. AN EXTENSIVE RENOVATION PROJECT WAS COMPLETED IN NOVEMBER 2024.
  2. $513,534 spent. JAZZ IN ARIZONA CONDUCTS AN INCREASINGLY ROBUST ARRAY OF JAZZ EDUCATION PROGRAMS, INCLUDING: ASSEMBLIES IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS AND AT THE NASH THAT INTRODUCE PRIMARY GRADE STUDENTS TO AMERICA'S ORIGINAL ART FORM, JAZZ; SUMMER JAZZ WORKSHOPS AND CAMPS THAT SERVE STUDENTS OF ALL AGES AND EMPHASIZE THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOLO, ENSEMBLE AND IMPROVIZATIONAL SKILLS; AND MASTER CLASSES, CLINICS AND OTHER EDUCATION PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR THAT PROVIDE EXCEPTIONAL INTERACTIONS WITH TOP LOCAL, TOURING AND LUMINARY MUSICIANS. THE NASH ALSO HOSTS WEEKLY JAM SESSIONS THAT PROVIDE AN UNPARALLELED OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUNG MUSICIANS TO GAIN EXPERIENCE BY PLAYING WITH PROFESSIONAL MUSICIANS. AN EDUCATIONAL CENTER WAS COMPLETED IN NOVEMBER 2024, STEPS AWAY FROM THE NASH, THAT OFFERS DYNAMIC MUSIC COURSES FOR CHILDREN, TEENS AND ADULTS.

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 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 November 6, 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 June 2025.

    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 August 1977.

    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 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.