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Stanford Jazz Workshop

EIN 94-3074721 · Stanford, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood78 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Stanford Jazz Workshop produces educational programs and performances by assembling a community of the best performers and teachers of jazz with students and listeners of all abilities and backgrounds.

Income
$3.0 million
Spending
$3.0 million
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
3.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 64%
Employees
45
Volunteers
30
Highest pay
$206,091, 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: 78 out of 100. Higher than 58% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 19% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 22% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 14 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 14 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

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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. $1.6 million spent. Four weeks of immersive education and performance activities that include in-depth instruction in jazz theory and musicianship (beginner through advanced), individual instrument and vocal master classes with leading jazz artist faculty and emerging professionals and intensive coaching in improvisation skills by leading jazz artist faculty and guest artists. Education Programs include live Online Sessions and Classes for musicians ages 11 through adult, placed based on experience level, with access to a library of on-demand video lessons of particular jazz subjects.
  2. $540,690 spent. Stanford Jazz Festival - annual series of premiere jazz concerts featuring distinguished jazz legends, top local jazz artists, and SJW Alumni and other emerging professional musicians that is performed in the heart of the Stanford Jazz Workshops education programs, with some concerts taking place prior to the start of education programs in mid-July. Artists have included over 45 National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Masters, many of whom have appeared multiple times and are integral members of the organizations distinguished artist faculty. SJF attracts approximately 15,000 attendees each summer, with many concerts selling out well in advance of performance dates. SJW students are invited to all SJF performances free of charge throughout their education residencies. Appearing on each summers Festival line up are numerous SJW Alumni who have well-established careers today as some of the leading musicians in this highly competitive field. Alumni also teach our students. SJW also provides holiday concerts and holiday online webcasts.
  3. $371,144 spent. SJW also offers numerous outreach clinics, workshops, and other educational opportunities for students and adults during the non-summer months of each year that include jazz theory, instrumental instruction, composition and arranging, and combo and big band formats for receiving high quality instruction/coaching, plus opportunities to perform in the 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 1987.

    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.