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Marcus Anderson Foundation

EIN 99-1151641 · Durham, NC

Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.

LegitimacyCautionRegistration and standingFinancial healthNot ratedToo small or too little detailGovernanceFair50 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MARCUS ANDERSON FOUNDATION (MAF) WAS ESTABLISHED TO BRIDGE THE GAP BETWEEN TALENT AND OPPORTUNITY, NURTURING THE CREATIVE AND INTELLECTUAL POTENTIAL IN COMMUNITIES THROUGH IMPACTFUL PROGRAMS, WORKSHOPS, AND PARTNERSHIPS. OUR FOUNDATION IS BUILT ON THE PRINCIPLES OF EDUCATION, COMMUNITY OUTREACH, AND THE TRANSFORMATIVE POWER OF MUSIC AND THE ARTS. MAF IS COMMITTED TO: NURTURING THE NEXT GENERATION OF TALENT, MAF SUPPORTS THE MAJACE MUSIC FESTIVAL, AWARDS SCHOLARSHIPS TO COLLEGE STUDENTS, AND DONATES INSTRUMENTS TO ASPIRING MUSICIANS. OUR MISSION ALSO INCLUDES EXPANDING ACCESS TO EXPERT EDUCATION IN STEAM FIELDS FOR STUDENTS AND ADULTS THROUGH BOTH ONLINE AND IN-PERSON PROGRAMS. WE PROUDLY INVEST IN PROGRAMS THAT CULTIVATE LEADERSHIP, BUILD CONFIDENCE, AND ENRICH LIVES THROUGH ENTERTAINMENT AND THE ARTSEMPOWERING INDIVIDUALS TO GROW THROUGH CREATIVITY AND PURPOSE. MAF INITIATIVES: SCHOLARSHIPS & EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT, INSTRUMENT DONATIONS,STEAM EDUCATION ACCESS, LEADERSHIP & ARTS DEVEL

Income
$88,657
Spending
$43,159
Spent on programs
98%
Reserves
19.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
0

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Fair: 50 out of 100. Higher than 26% of charities in its peer group (human services, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 7 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • 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, 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 (5)
  1. $25,000 spent. THE ORGANIZATION SERVED AS THE PRESENTING SPONSOR OF A REGIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL, GENERATING APPROXIMATELY 31,000 IN SUPPORT OF ITS CHARITABLE MISSION AND INCREASING EXPOSURE TO OVER 500 PROSPECTIVE DONORS ACROSS MULTIPLE GIVING LEVELS. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO CONDUCTED ON-SITE OUTREACH TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ABOUT ITS PROGRAMS AND SERVICES.
  2. $3,030 spent. THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDED FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO THREE STUDENT AND COLLEGIATE JAZZ PERFORMANCE GROUPS (COLLEGE, HIGH SCHOOL, AND MIDDLE SCHOOL) TO PROMOTE ARTS EDUCATION AND PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES.
  3. $11,336 spent. THE ORGANIZATION DONATED APPROXIMATELY 10,000 IN MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS TO DURHAM COUNTY SCHOOLS TO SUPPORT STUDENT ACCESS TO MUSIC EDUCATION PROGRAMS.
  4. $3,006 spent. THE ORGANIZATION CONDUCTED COMMUNITY OUTREACH THROUGH AN INFORMATIONAL EVENT BOOTH, INCLUDING THE DEVELOPMENT AND DISTRIBUTION OF PRINTED AND BRANDED MATERIALS TO INCREASE AWARENESS OF ITS PROGRAMS.
  5. THE ORGANIZATION CONDUCTED COMMUNITY OUTREACH THROUGH AN INFORMATIONAL EVENT BOOTH, INCLUDING THE DEVELOPMENT AND DISTRIBUTION OF PRINTED AND BRANDED MATERIALS TO INCREASE AWARENESS OF ITS PROGRAMS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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? Caution.

    Not 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 2025.

    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 February 2024.

    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.