Musicares Foundation Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
MUSICARES HELPS THE HUMANS BEHIND THE MUSIC BECAUSE MUSIC GIVES SO MUCH TO THE WORLD. MUSICARES PROVIDES A SAFETY NET OF CRITICAL HEALTH AND WELFARE SERVICES TO THE MUSIC COMMUNITY IN THREE KEY AREAS:MENTAL HEALTH & ADDICTION RECOVERY: SUPPORT, REFERRALS, AND EMERGENCY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR COUNSELING, PSYCHIATRIC CARE, INPATIENT TREATMENT, COACHING, INTENSIVE OUTPATIENT CARE, SOBER LIVING, AND MORE.HEALTH SERVICES: FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE DURING MEDICAL CRISES AND PREVENTIVE SERVICES SUCH AS DENTAL AND MEDICAL SCREENINGS, HEARING CLINICS, VOCAL HEALTH WORKSHOPS, AND ASSISTANCE OBTAINING LOW-COST HEALTH INSURANCE.HUMAN SERVICES: SUPPORT FOR BASIC LIVING EXPENSES LIKE RENT, UTILITIES, CAR PAYMENTS AND INSURANCE PREMIUMS IN TIMES OF HARDSHIP, PLUS PROGRAMS ADDRESSING AFFORDABLE HOUSING, CAREER DEVELOPMENT, LEGAL ISSUES, AND SENIOR SERVICES.
- Income
- $28.8 million
- Spending
- $25.2 million
- Spent on programs
- 88%
- Reserves
- 15.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 41
- Volunteers
- 2,800
- Highest pay
- $427,813, executive director (to 5/25)
Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 85% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 15.4 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 3% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 13% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 105% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1588% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 34% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2519 of 19 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited 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 July 31, 2025, 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 (4)
- $9.6 million spent. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE: MUSICARES PROVIDES UP TO $10,000 ANNUALLY FOR EMERGENCY BASIC LIVING, MEDICAL, OR OTHER NEEDS WITH A LIFETIME MAXIMUM OF $20,000. UNDER EXTRAORDINARY CIRCUMSTANCES, GRANTS MAY BE EXTENDED TO $25,000 BASED UPON A UNIQUE NEED. ASSISTANCE IS PROVIDED TO RECORDING INDUSTRY PERSONNEL, INCLUDING CREATIVE AND TECHNICAL PERSONNEL (I.E., MUSICIANS, COMPOSERS, ENGINEERS, PRODUCERS, ETC.), MUSIC BUSINESS STAFF (I.E., RECORD LABEL STAFF, MANAGEMENT COMPANIES, ENTERTAINMENT ATTORNEYS, MUSIC RETAILERS), AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE MUSIC COMMUNITY WHO HAVE BEEN EMPLOYED IN THE INDUSTRY FOR AT LEAST FIVE YEARS OR WHO HAVE CREDITS ON SIX COMMERCIALLY RELEASED SINGLES. THESE GRANTS ARE MADE AVAILABLE TO MUSIC PEOPLE FACING AN UNFORESEEN MEDICAL, PERSONAL, OR FINANCIAL CRISIS. THIS CAN INCLUDE PAYMENTS FOR HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS AND PRESCRIPTIONS, RENT/MORTGAGE PAYMENTS, HEALTH INSURANCE PREMIUMS, AND COSTS FOR OTHER BASIC LIVING SUPPORT SERVICES. THROUGH ITS COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS, THE FOUNDATION ALSO PROVIDES WORKSHOPS, SEMINARS, AND INDIVIDUAL CONSULTATIONS TO MEMBERS OF THE MUSIC COMMUNITY ON TOPICS RELATED TO GENERAL HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICE NEEDS. IT ALSO PROVIDES IDEAS AND RESOURCES FOR PROACTIVELY ADDRESSING THOSE ISSUES.
- $8.2 million spent. IN RESPONSE TO THE EXTREME FIRES AND UNPRECEDENTED DEVASTATION IN JANUARY 2025 IN LOS ANGELES, MUSICARES LAUNCHED DISASTER RELIEF EFFORTS TO DIRECTLY ASSIST ELIGIBLE MUSIC PROFESSIONALS IN NEED. AID INCLUDES $1,500 IN FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AND A $500 GROCERY CARD FOR NEAR-TERM NEEDS SUCH AS NECESSITIES AND EVACUATION COSTS. MUSICARES ALSO PROVIDES ADDITIONAL, MORE SUBSTANTIAL SUPPORT FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH CONSIDERABLE IMPACT, INCLUDING ASSISTANCE FOR DAMAGED EQUIPMENT, MEDICAL NEEDS, AND RENTAL ASSISTANCE.
- $2.1 million spent. MENTAL HEALTH & ADDICTION RECOVERY (FORMERLY MAP FUND): MUSICARES PROVIDES EMERGENCY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO INDIVIDUALS WITHIN THE MUSIC COMMUNITY FACING ADDICTION. ASSISTANCE LIMITS ARE $20,000 PER YEAR WITH A LIFETIME LIMIT OF $20,000. THE PROGRAM MAY PROVIDE PAYMENT FOR INPATIENT TREATMENT, SOBER LIVING, AND/OR OTHER EXPENSES RELATED TO RECOVERY. THE PROGRAM ALSO PROVIDES A SUPPORT NETWORK OF RECOVERY RESOURCES FOR MUSIC PEOPLE WHO ARE TOURING THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY. IN ADDITION, THE FOUNDATION PROVIDES WORKSHOPS AND COORDINATES MEETINGS OF INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS TO DISCUSS THE PROBLEMS OF CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY AND DISCUSS SPECIFIC STRATEGIES FOR INTERVENTION FOR INDIVIDUALS WITHIN THE MUSIC COMMUNITY.
- $2.3 million spent. MUSICARES ALSO PROVIDES VARIOUS GRANTS TO OTHER TAX-EXEMPT ORGANIZATIONS, GATHERS THE MUSIC COMMUNITY FOR A DAY OF SERVICE, HOSTS SHOWCASE CONCERTS TO EDUCATE THE COMMUNITY AND PROVIDE SERVICES, AND PROVIDES DISASTER RELIEF AID.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 2025, 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 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 July 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 December 1994.
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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