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Instruments of Change Inc

EIN 94-3467612 · Brandon, FL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong90 out of 100GovernanceNot ratedThe short tax form does not cover thisImpact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

MUSIC EDUCATION

Income
$191,864
Spending
$137,814
Reserves
11.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Highest pay
$47,813, program director

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 73% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 11.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 28% of income.

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.

Source: Form 990EZ 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)
  1. TO PROFOUNDLY IMPACT THE LIVES OF DISADVANTAGED CHILDREN THROUGH THE GIFTS OF MUSICAL INSTRUMENT DONATION, INSTRUCTION AND PERFORMANCE.OUR PRIMARY OUTREACH IS A 5TH GRADE BAND PROGRAM IN TITLE 1 SCHOOLS. THE ASPECT THAT MAKES US DIFFERENT IS THAT, WHILE LEARNING TO PLAY, WE PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR EACH STUDENT TO EARN AN INSTRUMENT FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL BAND. WE HAVE DEVELOPED AN EFFICIENT OPERATIONAL MODEL TO BRING INSTRUMENTS AND INSTRUCTION TO THEIR SCHOOL. WE HAVE ALSO DEVELOPED THE INSTRUMENTS OF CHANGE CURRICULUM TO ALLOW FOR GREATER LONG-TERM SUCCESS FOR THE STUDENTS. THROUGH OUR PROGRAMS WE HAVE SEEN STUDENTS FROM TITLE 1 SCHOOLS GO ON TO ACADEMIC SUCCESS IN MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL AND NOW INTO COLLEGE ON FULL RIDE SCHOLARSHIPS BECAUSE OF THEIR MUSIC.OUR 2024 IOC BAND PROGRAMS WERE HELD AT THE STUDENT'S SCHOOL ELIMINATING THE NEED TO TRAVEL TO THE PROGRAM. THE REQUIRED CLASSES MEET AFTER SCHOOL TWICE EACH WEEK, FOR ONE HOUR EACH DAY, FROM SEPTEMBER TO MAY IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE SCHOOL YEAR.IN 2024, WE WERE ABLE TO PURCHASE INSTRUMENTS AND TO LAUNCH PROGRAMS AT TWO NEW SCHOOLS BECAUSE OF SUBSTANTIAL GRANTS RECEIVED, ONE UNSOLICITED AND ONE PROJECT SPECIFIC .

Source: Form 990EZ 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 October 13, 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 May 2009.

    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 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.