Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Young Chamber Musicians Inc

EIN 87-4153201 · San Francisco, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The mission of Young Chamber Musicians is to advance the skill and artistry of exceptional pre-college string players and pianists through the focused study of chamber music, encouraging life-long participation in music.

Income
$278,414
Spending
$184,416
Spent on programs
57%
Reserves
35 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 62%
Employees
2
Volunteers
5
Highest pay
$5,040, president

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2026, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 78% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 35.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 5% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 34% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 13% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    57% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2026, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 91 out of 100. Higher than 79% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 6 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 May 31, 2026, 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)
  1. $104,664 spent. Coaching sessions: Each of the 9 ensembles met weekly with a YCM coach (each an independent contractor) for a 90-minute coaching session. In the fiscal year, June 1, 2024 May 31, 2025 ensembles met weekly for 30 weeks of instruction starting August 2025, and ending May 29, 2026.
  2. Masterclasses: Masterclasses were produced monthly and sometimes bi-monthly to unite each student ensemble with noted professional chamber music artists (not normally engaged to coach weekly) to receive commentary in a public performance setting. Each ensemble participated in two masterclasses. In the fiscal year, June 1, 2025 May 31, 2026, fourteen masterclasses were produced.
  3. Student Concerts: Each student ensemble performed in a free public concert. In the fiscal year June 1, 2024 May 31, 2025, YCM produced two 90-minute student concerts December 16 and 18, 2025 and 90-minute concerts on May 26 and 28, 2026.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2026, 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 October 13, 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 May 2026.

    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 July 2022.

    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 October 21, 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.