Passes our checks

Hidden Valley Music Seminars

EIN 95-2259987 · Carmel Valley, CA

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

What it says it does

To provide arts related educational programs to students of all ages.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Fair: 64 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

Reserves
4 of 35
Spendable reserves would cover 0.7 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20
It owes 11% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15
Income exceeded spending by 6% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15
Income fell 3% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 15
87% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 11 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Fair: 61 out of 100. Higher than 13% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

Independent board
25 of 25
5 of 6 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15
Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8
Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7
Reports no 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.
Independent check of accounts
0 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 September 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (4)

$813,302 spent. Other Program Services included Dance Classes, Big Band Dinner Dance and Northern California Flute Camp.
$199,310 spent. Road Scholar/Elderhostel:Students (primarily 55 and over) gather for week long classes in music, literature, natural history,and/or performance. This is a substantial and thoroughly planned program.
$39,858 spent. Master Classes:Individually selected students from around the world study with distinguished performers/teachers whose experience and artistry assists in preparing very talented students for careers in music and allows long-time musicians to revive and refresh skills.
OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES 4: Other Program Services included Dance Classes, Big Band Dinner Dance and Northern California Flute Camp. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES 5: Emerging Composers Intensive:The Emerging Composers Intensive at Hidden Valley brings together ten composers for a festival of creative collaboration. Guided by renowned composition and performance faculty, participants develop new chamber works which are professionally rehearsed, performed, and recorded.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

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.
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.
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.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending September 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since March 1965.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 2026.

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