Suzuki Education and Research Association
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
SERA operates the Japan-Seattle Suzuki Institute. The Japan-Seattle Suzuki Institute supports Dr. Shinichi Suzukis dream of achieving peace through music. Each summer, JSSI invites string teachers, students, and families from across the globe to meet in Seattle. Together, we celebrate our love of music while developing new skills, elevating our artistry, and building community. We enact Dr. Suzukis vision of a better world through Talent Education.
- Income
- $229,495
- Spending
- $190,095
- Spent on programs
- 96%
- Reserves
- 6.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 97%
- Employees
- 0
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 92 out of 100. Higher than 80% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 6.3 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 17% of income.
Spending floor
15 of 1596% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Weak: 19 out of 100. Higher than 3% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).
Independent board
5 of 250 of 12 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
0 of 5Reports that it does not keep minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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)
- $181,116 spent. ANNUAL WEEK-LONG JAPAN-SEATTLE SUZUKI INSTITUTE, PROVIDING MUSIC EDUCATION TO OVER 200 STUDENTS & TEACHER TRAINING TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC USING THE SUZUKI METHOD.
- $500 spent. PROVIDING EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR MUSIC STUDENTS AND THEIR TEACHERS, INCLUDING TRAINING IN MUSIC EDUCATION OFFERED TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC USING THE SUZUKI METHOD
- $125 spent. RAISE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE SUZUKI METHOD & PARTICIPATE IN RESEARCH CONDUCTED BY SUZUKI ASSOCIATION OF THE AMERICAS
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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.
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.
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.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since June 1987.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.