Center for World Music
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The Center for World Music is a San Diego organization fostering intercultural awareness through the worlds performing arts traditions. We create engaging educational and performance opportunities to strengthen the bonds that make us one community.
- Income
- $571,001
- Spending
- $710,630
- Spent on programs
- 100%
- Reserves
- 9.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 75%
- Employees
- 3
- Volunteers
- 27
- Highest pay
- $82,451, 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
Fair: 63 out of 100.
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 9.1 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 24% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 29% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 15100% 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
Strong: 91 out of 100.
Independent board
25 of 2518 of 18 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
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
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 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)
- $660,859 spent. The Center for World Musics World Music in the Schools program provides WORLD MUSIC IN THE SCHOOLS hands-on music and dance education to over 10,000 pre-K12 students annually in San Diego area schools and through online learning. The program offers weekly artist residencies, interactive assemblies, and presentations featuring diverse world music and dance traditions. Nearly 3,200 students receive sustained weekly instruction, and more than 60% of participants are from low-income, underserved neighborhoods. The program is supported by public and private grants, school organizations, and individual donors.
- $35,601 spent. The center for world music presents year-round public concerts and community workshops at venues throughout San Diego. Each year,the organization showcases at least 12 world music and dance traditions through ticketed and free concerts featuring local and visiting artists, fostering cultural understanding and community engagement. From January to June, six public concerts attracted approximately 700 attendees. In addition, free mini-concerts and collaborative events with libraries and cultural groups highlighted San Diegos musical diversity, with an estimated 15 events reaching hundreds of participants. The program is supported by grants, private foundations, donors, and ticket sales.
- $14,170 spent. The center runs a school for teaching Odissi dance (A classical dance form from India) to community members as well as well as to students in public schools with many performances by the students and teacher. The teachers come from India on P-3 VISAS to be teachers inn residence for a period of one year. The current number of students is 30 with tuition varying from $20 to $35 for one-hour class.
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
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 June 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 1965.
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.