Unlocking Harmony
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Unlocking Harmony is a pioneering program that collaborates with incarcerated and previously incarcerated individuals to share their individual stories and voices through the powerful medium of songwriting. Unlocking Harmony mission is grounded in the transformative potential of music as a tool for rehabilitation and as a means to practice and enhance essential interpersonal skills. These skills are not only crucial for navigating life during incarceration but are also beneficial in the process of rebuilding lives post-incarceration. We use music as a bridge to learning, growth, and healing. Through our work, we aim to give individuals theopportunity to express themselves in ways that can lead to profound personal and communal transformation.
- Income
- $63,750
- Spending
- $25,719
- Reserves
- 17.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 95%
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending April 30, 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 990EZ for the year ending April 30, 2025, 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 April 30, 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)
- $19,988 spent. Songwriting Workshops. Unlocking Harmony conducts songwriting workshops primarily for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals that enable participants to transform personal stories into enduring songs, regardless of their musical background. The workshops will be conducted by the organization's staff andvolunteers and will take place in prisons, jails, and post- prison rehabilitation centers.Performances and concerts in prisons. Following a song-writing workshop, songs created are performed live by the songwriters for their fellow residents and facility staff. Additionally, Unlocking Harmony organizes a culminating concert at the end of a series of workshops given at a prison. All songs written during the workshop are performed by incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people. The performances and concerts will be organized by Unlocking Harmony's staff and volunteers and will take place in prisons, jails, and post- prison rehabilitation centers. This activity will comprise approximately 30 percent of the organization's total program.Arrangement and dissemination of songs created. Songs written by incarcerated and formerly incarcerated citizens are arranged by professional musicians to be sung all over the world. This program is designed to bring the stories and voices of those who are inside of prison walls to those who are outside, facilitating understanding and healing. Songs are performed live (in public performance venues) and virtual platforms (by video through social media channels).
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending April 30, 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 October 13, 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 April 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 July 2024.
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 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.