We Are Moving the Needle Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Founded in 2021, We Are Moving The Needle is radically reshaping the future of the recording industry by empowering women, non-binary, and trans producers and engineers to succeed at the highest levels. We Are Moving The Needles work spans four core pillars, all aimed at providing comprehensive supports with tangible impacts on education and career development. We drive equity in the industry through scholarships and mentorships that impact creators in the here and now, as well as shift industry culture through research and advocacy. We Are Moving The Needle is a community of partnersfrom artists, producers, and engineers to business leaders and educatorsdedicated to amplifying women and underrepresented identities in the field. Together, we are moving the needle.
- Income
- $397,803
- Spending
- $313,125
- Spent on programs
- 81%
- Reserves
- 8.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 2
- Volunteers
- 84
- Highest pay
- $120,192, executive dir.
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: 93 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 8.2 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 6% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 21% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 93% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1581% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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
Fair: 61 out of 100. Higher than 39% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
0 of 251 of 2 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a 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
6 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 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 (1)
- $491,377 spent. We Are Moving The Needles work spans four core pillars, all aimed at providing comprehensive supports with tangible impacts on education and career development.EDUCATEEmpowering women and non-binary creators in the studio starts in the classroom. We Are Moving The Needle opens access for these traditionally underrepresented groups to pursue music technical education across their career. Scholarships and Grants Program: The cornerstone of We Are Moving The Needles educational work, this program provides opportunities for women and non-binary creators to attend prestigious musical technical and recording programs at academies, colleges, and universities around the world. College and University Chapters: We Are Moving The Needles College and University Chapter Program connects students across the country with resources to pursue their future in audio. Our campus partnerships provide supportive environments for students to connect, learn, and grow. EQUIPIn alignment with our commitment to inclusivity in the industry, We Are Moving The Needle works to ensure that cost isnt a barrier for our students and early-career professionals. We Are Moving The Needle works with gear partners to provide cutting edge-recording equipment and software for those in need and ensure that women and non-binary creators are quite literally equipped to unleash their creative potential. ENERGIZEBreaking down educational barriers gets women into the field, but mentorship and networks keeps them there. We Are Moving The Needles soundBoard is a network of mentors and career advocates dedicated to nurturing the next generation of recording professionals. EQUALIZEClosing the gender gap in the recording industry requires a two-pronged approach: we must provide direct supports to creators to grow their potential in the here and now AND shift industry culture through advocacy and partnerships. Unity Gain Sessions: A touring series of think tanks aimed at bringing together top artists, producers, engineers, and industry leaders for their perspectives on the future of the industry. These roundtable discussions bring together creators from across the music industry to pause, reflect, and dive into the essence of their craft.Fix The Mix Report: Launched in 2023, this annual report provides a temperature check for gender equity in the industry. Our inaugural report highlighted that across the top-played (top-grossing) tracks of 2022, cis men outnumbered women and non-binary audio professionals 49:1. Fix The Mix was the first report of its kind to include non-binary and trans professionals in our numbers, and critically untangled metrics for producers and engineers to look at each role separately. Resonator Awards: A kick-off to GRAMMYs week, the Resonator Awards are an opportunity to showcase the top echelon of producers and engineers and uplift the power of technical creators during the most prestigious week in music. Our inaugural awards, held January 2024, honored powerful women behind the board including Alanis Morissette, Caroline Polachek, Laura Sisk, Catherine Marks, Jennifer Decilveo, and Corinne Bailey Rae, as well as leaders who have transformed equity in the industry Michael Goldstone (Mom+Pop) and Christine Thomas (Dolby). Advocacy: We Are Moving The Needle joined the NAMM Foundation in November 2023 as part of their annual Fly-In to advocate for increased federal funding for music education.
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 September 2023.
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.