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Blue Bear School of Music

EIN 94-2243418 · San Francisco, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair60 out of 100GovernanceStrong94 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

BLUE BEAR SCHOOL OF MUSIC NONPROFIT MISSION IS TO PROVIDE SUPERIOR QUALITY AND AFFORDABLE POPULAR MUSIC EDUCATION TO ASPIRING MUSICIANS OF ALL AGES AND SKILL LEVELS WITHIN A SUPPORTIVE AND ENCOURAGING COMMUNITY.

Income
$1.9 million
Spending
$2.1 million
Spent on programs
77%
Reserves
2.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 63%
Employees
3
Volunteers
10
Highest pay
$110,207, president & exedutive director

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

Fair: 60 out of 100. Higher than 32% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 22% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 33% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    77% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 34 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

Strong: 94 out of 100. Higher than 59% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 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

    9 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

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. $817,714 spent. MUSIC PROGRAM: PRIVATE LESSONS, GROUP ADULT, LITTLE BEARS Adult Programs - Most of the Organizations group course students are adults with day jobs, people who want to have music be part of their lives but who are not planning to become professional musicians. In 2024, 407 Adults particpated in 11-week group classes Private Music Lessons in 2024 were offered to 466 adults and 231 youth taking guitar, piano, ukuklel, bass, drums and DJ-ing lessons. In 2024, 606 toddlers & their parents were served in Little Bear classes in parks and schools
  2. $212,925 spent. WORKSHOP PROGRAMS: BAND WORKSHOPS, ALL STAR BANDS, SUMMER CAMPS Summer camps in 2023 had 55 youths enrolled in week-long music day camps during the summer. Kids can be enrolled in Blue Bears week-long music day camps which run Monday through Friday and include a special performance on Friday ending. The camp curriculum was designed by renowned educator and artist Bonnie Hayes. Adult band workshops had 33 young musicians rehearsed and performed in 7 bands. All Star Bands in the fall of 2024 expanded to 46 youth in 10 differnent bands. 134 adult musicians rehearsed and performed in 39 different bands in 2024
  3. $606,760 spent. OTHER PROGRAMS: Fees for Service Blue Bear music enrichment pgorams served over 400 youths in 2024 in the San Francisco area.

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

  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 December 2024.

    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 December 1985.

    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.