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Washington Music Educators Association

EIN 91-6029531 · Renton, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak36 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO SUPPORT MUSIC EDUCATORS IN AN EFFORT TO ENSURE THAT EVERY STUDENT IN WASHINGTON STATE HAS ACCESS TO A COMPREHENSIVE, SEQUENTIAL MUSIC EDUCATION TAUGHT BY A HIGHLY QUALIFIED INSTRUCTOR AND CERTIFIED TEACHER.

Income
$1.4 million
Spending
$1.7 million
Spent on programs
94%
Reserves
0.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 69%
Employees
7
Volunteers
16
Highest pay
$87,039, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 36 out of 100. Higher than 8% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 84% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 28% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 10% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    94% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    16 of 16 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

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 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 June 30, 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. $1.6 million spent. BIENNIAL WMEA STATE MUSIC CONFERENCE AND BIENNIAL NAfME NORTHWEST MUSIC CONFERENCE; INCLUDES MUSIC WORKSHOPS, PERFORMANCES, AND OTHER ACTIVITIES. YME (YOUNG MUSICIANS EXCELLING) PROVIDES FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO HELP STUDENTS DEFRAY THE COST OF PARTICIPATING IN WMEA ALL-STATE AND NAfME ALL-NORTHWEST MUSIC STUDENT GROUPS.THESE GRANTS AND THE BUDGETED FINANCIAL SUPPORT AVAILABLE ARE DETERMINED BY THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR BASED ON FINANCIAL NEED, AS REQUESTED BY THE STUDENTS AND THEIR MUSIC TEACHERS, AFTER FACTORING IN SUPPORT FROM SCHOOL, FAMILY, AND OTHER LOCAL SOURCES.YME ALSO PROVIDES GENERAL FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO WMEA ALL-STATE AND NAfME ALL-NORTHWEST HONOR GROUPS TO HELP REDUCE COSTS FOR ALL PARTICIPATING STUDENTS.
  2. A PORTION OF THE LICENSE FEES ARE SET ASIDE TO AUGMENT SCHOOL MUSIC PROGRAM FUNDS TO ENABLE THE PURCHASE OF EQUIPMENT, SUPPLIES, AND REPAIRS BEYOND THEIR NORMAL BUDGETED EXPENSES THROUGH GRANTS THAT ARE ADMINISTERED BY THE ORGANIZATION.
  3. "VOICE" MAGAZINE IS PUBLISHED QUARTERLY AND SENT TO STATE MUSIC EDUCATORS AND OTHER SUBSCRIBERS (MEMBERS); POCO VOCE IS PUBLISHED ANNUALLY AND SENT TO STATE MUSIC EDUCATORS. PROGRAMS ARE PUBLISHED ANNUALLY FOR CONFERENCES, HONOR GROUP CONCERTS, STATE SOLO AND ENSEMBLE CONTESTS, WMEA ALL-STATE, AND NAfME ALL-NORTHWEST HONOR GROUPS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 November 6, 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 June 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 March 2013.

    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 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.