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Columbia Choirs Association

EIN 91-1303627 · Redmond, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood71 out of 100GovernanceGood86 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

To bring together people of all ages and backgrounds to learn through music and experience the joy of choral singing.

Income
$640,033
Spending
$611,666
Spent on programs
67%
Reserves
2 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 72%
Employees
20
Volunteers
11
Highest pay
$75,948, executive director

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

Financial health

Good: 71 out of 100. Higher than 44% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 26% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    67% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 cents.

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

Governance

Good: 86 out of 100. Higher than 73% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 July 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 (4)
  1. $293,442 spent. Community Choirs: Community choirs are the primary focus of the organization providing music instruction to singers aged four through adult. Rehearsals allow our members to improve and hone their skills to become better musicians and singer, as well as to learn music in preparation for concerts, performances on tour, community outreach concerts, and other musical events in which we participate. Rehearsals teach the singers basic music skills - how to read music, music theory and sight-reading - and help the singers improve vocally as an individual, as well as a choir member.
  2. $65,462 spent. Tour: Our youth choirs participated in a tour to Portland including an exchange with a Portland based youth choir. One of our adult choirs also toured to Portland including an exchange and a performance with a local university choir, as well as a workshop with the composer of a piece they performed jointly. The other adult choir toured to Vancouver including a performance with a local community choir and workshop with a Vouncouver-based conductor.
  3. $15,652 spent. Concerts: We held three concerts in December and two concerts in June as part of our regular concert series. We also held a concert at the conclusion of our Guest Artist Residency week with Arreon Harley-Emerson and held a collaborative concert with visiting choir Gondwana Chorale from Australia.
  4. $35,413 spent. Summer Camps: We ran a summer music day camp for children age 5-10 to sing and continue developing their music skills. We also ran an overnight music camp for youth age 11-18 with intensive rehearsal time, workshops with clinicians and guest artists and other fun recreation activities.Enrichment Choir Program: In partnership with local PTSAs, we continued an enrichment choir program in local elementary schools that do not have choir opportunities in those schools.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 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 July 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 October 1986.

    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.

  7. Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.

    A much larger organization has a similar name: Columbia Association Inc (Columbia, MD), EIN 52-0823992. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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.