Music Center of the Northwest Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Music Center of the Northwest is a nonprofit community music school located in North Seattle. We believe in the transformative power of music in the lives of people and our community. (Continued on Sch O)
- Income
- $1.5 million
- Spending
- $1.5 million
- Spent on programs
- 73%
- Reserves
- 1.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 73%
- Employees
- 38
- Volunteers
- 15
- Highest pay
- $105,090, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 68 out of 100.
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 1.3 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 11% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 3% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 18% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1573% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 24 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Fair: 57 out of 100.
Independent board
25 of 2511 of 11 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
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
Independent check of accounts
0 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 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 (7)
- $988,057 spent. Music Instruction: Music Center provides individual and group instruction to students of all ages and abilities. Individual instruction is offered for harp, koto, piano, music theory/composition and all brass, woodwind and string instruments. Group classes are offered for Choirs, Music Together, Jazz Combos, Orchestra, Saxophone Ensembles and Suzuki Violin. In 2024-2025 Music Center saw record enrollment with over 800 participants each week.
- $57,184 spent. Music Therapy: Music Therapy specializes in working with people of all ages, including neurodiverse children, teens and adults, in particular those who have received a diagnosis of Autism, ADHD, or Down Syndrome. We work with older adults experiencing dementia, Alzheimers Disease, Parkinsons Disease, and other neurodegenerative diseases. Areas of focus focus may include language and self-expression, motor coordination, academic skills, self-advocacy and other goals, all while recognizing and building on each clients unique strengths and abilities.
- $39,003 spent. Outreach: Educational Outreach programming, such as partnerships with Seattle Public Library and local schools, brings free weekly music programming to over 300 students, sparking their passion for music and creative expression.
- $15,942 spent. Around The Sound
- $11,492 spent. Emerald City Womens Chorus
- Expenses: $15942.00 including grants of: $0.00 Revenue: $0.00
- Expenses: $11492.00 including grants of: $0.00 Revenue: $2247.00
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, 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 October 13, 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 August 2025.
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 August 1990.
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 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.