Ensemble Music Oregon
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The mission of Chatter PDX is to foster community through weekly live performances that feature chamber music poetry and welcoming spaces for conversation and community. We curate events that combine artistic excellence with adventurous programming offering audiences and performers opportunities for reflection inspiration and meaningful interaction.
- Income
- $494,821
- Spending
- $202,421
- Spent on programs
- 70%
- Reserves
- 9.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 70%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 10
- Highest pay
- $25,640, president
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
Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 78% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 9.5 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 1% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 59% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 851% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1570% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Weak: 36 out of 100. Higher than 6% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
5 of 250 of 3 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
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
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, 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 (1)
- $141,297 spent. Ensemble Music Oregon dba Chatter PDX produces and presents weekly one-hour live performing arts programs for the general public featuring classical chamber music performances integrated with live poetry readings. Programs are designed to provide accessible welcoming cultural experiences that encourage community engagement around music and literature. During FY25 Chatter PDX presented 52 weekly concerts reaching more than 6,500 attendees with an average attendance of approximately 125 patrons per concert. Ticket pricing is structured to promote accessibility with multiple tiers available to the public including reduced-price options for youth and younger patrons. In addition to its weekly concert series the organization conducted several fee-for-service program activities that further advance its exempt purpose including participation in music education initiatives performance residencies and presentations at regional arts events. Examples include Clarinetlandia a program featuring performances and masterclasses performances for the Oregon Bach Festival Composers Symposium and featured concerts at Concerts at the Barn in Beaverton Oregon. Program service revenue is derived from ticket sales and performance fees all of which are earned directly in connection with delivering these program activities. These services further the organizations mission by providing inclusive chamber music and poetry performances in environments that foster conversation learning and community connection.
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
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 November 6, 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 2025.
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 January 2025.
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 November 4, 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.