Oaktown Jazz Workshop
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Our purpose is to promote, preserve, and present this music so that all youth develop a sense of ownership and pride in jazz music as a uniquely American cultural tradition.Oak Town Jazz Workshop is classified as other performing arts company underNAICS CODE 711190
- Income
- $271,149
- Spending
- $306,380
- Spent on programs
- 83%
- Reserves
- 7.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 48%
- Employees
- 0
- Highest pay
- $65,971, 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: 72 out of 100. Higher than 41% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 7.8 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 1% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 13% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 22% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1583% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 15 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
Weak: 21 out of 100. Higher than 1% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
5 of 250 of 8 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
0 of 5Reports that it does not keep minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
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 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 (1)
- $252,764 spent. Program service accomplishments of 2024: 48 Combo Workshops in these weekly, year-round workshops, young musicians learned to improvise instrumental solos while playing different types of jazz and blues tunes in a full band setting, with guidance from our faculty of professional musicians. 48 Performance Ensemble Workshops in these weekly, year-round workshops, young musicians improved their musicianship, developed their personal voices, and challenged themselves musically in a band setting. 20 Jazz Improvisation Classes in these 10-week courses that we held in the spring and fall, students learned about ensemble playing, ear training, melodic phrasing, and harmonic forms. 20 Music Theory Classes in these 10-week courses that we held in the spring and fall, students learned about modes, chord analysis, ear training, and composition. 3 Live Audio Reinforcement Classes in this 3-week winter course, students learned about microphone techniques for live concerts, digital and analog mix routing, and got hands-on experience using mixing board and speaker systems. 20 youth who were aging out of our programs were supported by our staff with letters of recommendation, guidance, loaned instruments, and support with their post-secondary college and career plans. 29 Community performances. Four music clinics hosted by internationally touring musicians. 13 Concerts featuring local and regional musicians. 65 Jazz in the Schools presentations at public schools.
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
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 August 1997.
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.