Passes our checks

International Society for Music Education

EIN 92-1914647 · Kenosha, WI

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

What it says it does

OUR MISSION IS TO ADVANCE MUSIC EDUCATION GLOBALLY THROUGH ADVOCACY, COLLABORATION, AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT.

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

Strong: 92 out of 100. Higher than 77% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

Reserves
28 of 35
Spendable reserves would cover 7.4 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20
It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15
Income exceeded spending by 38% of income.
Spending floor
15 of 15
88% 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

Good: 72 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

Independent board
25 of 25
15 of 15 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
0 of 10
Did not give 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
12 of 15
Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.
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)

$179,725 spent. ISME ORGANIZES BIENNIAL WORLD CONFERENCES THAT BRING TOGETHER MUSIC EDUCATORS, RESEARCHERS, AND PRACTITIONERS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE - OFFERING PRESENTATIONS, WORKSHOPS, AND PERFORMANCES THAT SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL GROWTH AND INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION. IN ADDITION,ISME HOSTS 8 PRE-CONFERENCES THE WEEK PRIOR TO THE WORLD CONFERENCE. DURING THE ODD YEARS, ISME SUPPORTS 5 REGIONAL CONFERENCES THAT OCCUR IN 5 DISTINCT REGIONS AROUND THE WORLD OFFERING LOCALIZED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, MUSIC MAKING SESSIONS AND PERFORMANCES.
$53,922 spent. ISME PROVIDES A VARIETY OF AWARDS TO RECOGNIZE EXCELLENCE AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE FIELD OF MUSIC EDUCATION, INCLUDING ADVOCACY, TRAVEL AWARDS, AND SUPPORTING CREATIVITY IN MUSIC. THESE AWARDS SUPPORT GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, AND THE ADVANCEMENT OF MUSIC EDUCATION PRACTICE AND SCHOLARSHIP.
$26,102 spent. ISME PUBLISHES THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MUSIC EDUCATION (IJME) IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SAGE PUBLICATIONS. THE JOURNAL FEATURES PEER-REVIEWED RESEARCH AND SCHOLARLY ARTICLES FOCUSED ON ALL ASPECTS OF MUSIC EDUCATION WORLDWIDE. THE JOURNAL IS A KEY RESOURCE FOR RESEARCHERS, EDUCATORS, AND PRACTITIONERS IN THE FIELD.

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 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 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 November 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 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.