Passes our checks

Sacramento Jazz Education Foundation

EIN 91-1776322 · Sacramento, CA

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

What it says it does

To preserve and promote traditional jazz music primarily through adult and youth education programs and scholarships.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 66% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

Reserves
35 of 35
Spendable reserves would cover 26.6 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20
It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15
Spending exceeded income by 72% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15
Income rose 3% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 15
83% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Good: 82 out of 100. Higher than 80% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

Independent board
25 of 25
12 of 13 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.
Pay set independently
5 of 5
Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
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, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (3)

$21,200 spent. IN 2024 THE ORGANIZATION FUNDED COMMUNITY OUTREACH ACTIVITIES, PROVIDED YOUNG LOCAL MUSICIANS WITH INSTRUMENTS THROUGH THE INSTRUMENT MATCH PROGRAM, AND ENCOURAGED PROMISING TRADITIONAL JAZZ MUSICIANS THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS AND AWARDS.
$124,648 spent. TRADITIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL - THE ONLY KNOWN SCHOLASTIC JAZZ FESTIVAL DEVOTED TO THE PERFORMANCE OF TRADITIONAL JAZZ. THE TJF IS CO-SPONSORED BY THE JAZZ STUDIES PROGRAM AT SACRAMENTO STATE UNIVERSITY. APPROXIMATELY 30 YOUTH BANDS FROM ELEMENTARY THROUGH COLLEGE ATTEND FROM MULTIPLE STATES FOR A FULL DAY OF JAZZ PERFORMANCE AND FEEDBACK. JAM SESSIONS AND SPECIAL CLINICS ARE INCLUDED IN THE DAYS EVENTS AND IN THE EVENING INDIVIDUAL STUDENTS AND BANDS RECEIVE CASH SCHOLARSHIPS AND AWARDS.
$136,881 spent. TEH ANNUAL TRADITIONAL JAZZ CAMP HELD EVERY SUMMER AT THE SACRAMENTO COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION SITE IN SLY PARK, CA. AROUND 150 KIDS AGES 12-18 EACH SPEND A WEEK STUDYING JAZZ PERFORMANCE UNDER THE TUTELAGE OF PROFESSIONAL MUSICIANS AND INSTRUCTORS. MANY KIDS ATTEND ON SCHOLARSHIPS FUNDED BY THE FOUNDATION AND INDIVIDUAL DONORS. AT THE YOUTH CAMP, STUDENTS ARE FORMED INTO 10 OR 11 BANDS, AND AT THE END OF THE WEEK, THESE BANDS RETURN TO SACRAMENTO BY BUS TO PERFORM AT A SPECIAL AFTERNOON CONCERT IN SACRAMENTO.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since March 1997.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 2026.

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