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Earshot Jazz Society of Seattle

EIN 94-3051610 · Seattle, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood71 out of 100GovernanceGood83 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

To ensure the legacy of the art form, Earshot Jazz cultivates a vibrant jazz community by engaging audiences, celebrating artists, and supporting arts education. Formed in 1984 Earshot Jazz pursues its mission by presenting creative music, publishing a monthly magazine, providing education programs, identifying and filling career needs for artists, and increasing listenership.

Income
$942,126
Spending
$950,390
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
6.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 50%
Employees
5
Volunteers
75
Highest pay
$76,549, 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

Good: 71 out of 100. Higher than 44% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 42% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 13 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

Good: 83 out of 100. Higher than 68% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 7 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

    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

    6 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 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. $630,243 spent. Concerts & Events: The Earshot Jazz organization understands the need to earn its valued position within Seattle's vibrant cultural community every year, as it has for 40 years. Celebrating jazz as a cultural treasure of Black America, Earshot builds on the legacy of jazz in Seattle that grew from the fertile Jackson Street era. As a presenter, Earshot is widely respected for adventurous programming by creative artists who would typically not be considered viable on commercial stages. Concerts in 2024 included several national and international touring artists, the annual fall festival, and the Concert of Duke Ellington's Sacred Music. Overall, the organization produced 35 in-person concerts and 3 live-stream events, presented 299 artists of which 210 were resident artists, and distributed over 960 free tickets.
  2. $147,183 spent. Publication & Communications: Earshot Jazz is an award-winning monthly magazine containing reviews, previews, and profiles on Northwest based artists by Seattle writers. It has been distributed free of charge for 40 years. The publication contains the most comprehensive calendar of jazz events in the region. It is available in print as well as email and on earshot.org. The organization's website also contains links to local jazz artists, organizations, and information on upcoming events. Since 2021, an indexed archive of all issues is available, free and online, through the Seattle Public Library's Special Online Collections.
  3. $31,629 spent. Community Leadership & Special Projects: Earshot activities include commissioning of new works, producing an annual jazz awards program, booking and consulting with other festivals, providing grant assistance to artists and networking with the regional, national, and international jazz community through consortia work, panels, advocacy activities. In 2024 Earshot produced the 34th annual Golden Ear Awards to recognize achievements in the Seattle and Puget Sound region and to induct significant members of the jazz community into the local Jazz Hall of Fame. Earshot commissioned work, provided fiscal support to several events in the region, and provided grant support to one artist and one community consortium program.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since December 1987.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 October 7, 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.