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Muffin Music Inc

EIN 88-1068233 · Buellton, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthNot ratedToo small or too little detailGovernanceGood81 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The mission of Muffin Music is to empower and inspire youth through transformative music education and performance experiences. By providing access to world-class musicians and educators we support young artists from diverse backgrounds in expanding their talents fostering creativity and pursuing artistic innovation through live performance. Our most significant activities includes our M2 Summer Music Program Spring Residency and Muffin Music in Schools.

Income
$84,556
Spending
$43,886
Spent on programs
95%
Reserves
13.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 88%
Employees
0
Volunteers
15

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 81 out of 100. Higher than 73% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 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.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

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

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 (3)
  1. $16,589 spent. The M2 Summer Music Program includes both the M2 Camp and M2 Piano Intensive offering world-class music education for both students in the local Santa Ynez Valley CA and a small cohort talented pianists from around the world. In 2025 the M2 Program was held at the Dunn School in Los Olivos from July 12-20th. Over the course of the week Piano Intensive Students participated in multiple free community outreach concerts performing for over 200 members of the local Santa Ynez Valley community. All students were featured in the final M2 Showcase in front of an additional 100 audience members. In 2025 a total of 32 students participated 25 M2 Camp students and 7 Piano Intensive students.
  2. $5,036 spent. The Annual Spring Residency and Muffin Music Bash occurred from April to May 2025 in collaboration with five public school districts in Santa Barbara County. The program provided complimentary performances and workshops. The Residency featured three no-cost community concerts including the inaugural Muffin Music Bash at College School District. Approximately 800 students participated in the Spring Residency.
  3. $1,000 spent. Muffin Music began a collaboration with Hope Refuge from November of 2024-April of 2025. Hope Refuge is an organization managed by the larger organization Olive Crest and supports young girls who are victims of sexual trafficking in Santa Barbara County. We offered three months of workshops with professional musicians for a small group of girls affiliated with the program who gained valuable exposure to playing instruments and understanding basic musical concepts.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 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 December 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 April 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.