Nonprofit screen
Screen a listMerit School of Music
Can you give?
Listed with the IRS. Every screen came back clear.
A 501(c)(3) on Publication 78 and the IRS master file.
- IRS nonprofit listing
- No issue
- Revocation
- None
- IRS files
- Agree
- Sanctions
- No match
- IRS bulletin
- No notice
- California
- No record
- Charity type
- 509(a)(1)
$14Mrevenue
FY2025 · +111% in 3 yrs224staff
8 of 8years filed
’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Revenue and spendingRevenueSpendingDeficit
Against similar nonprofits FY2025
Operating margin29.4%
Months of reserve12.0mo
Revenue growth (annualized)+9.9%
Middle half of peersMedianMerit School of Music
Where the money goes FY2025 · $9.8M spent
Programs$7.8M80%Management and general$1.2M13%Fundraising$695k7%990 FY2025 · Part IX line 25
Worth checking1
Government grants fell 92% in FY2023
$893k in FY2022, $72k in FY2023.
990 Part VIIIIn its favor3
Strong governance
27 of 27 board members independent. Conflict-of-interest and whistleblower policies, audited financial statements, board reviews the 990.
990 Part VIGrowing faster than peers
Revenue up 10% a year since FY2017, faster than half of similar nonprofits.
990 Part I · peer cohortFunders stay
61 of the 98 funders that gave before FY2021 are still giving.
Funders’ 990-PF grant lists144funders
$3.4Ma year, last 3 years
18%from its largest funder
Funder’17’18’19’20’21’22’23The Andrew W Mellon FoundationOn and off$50k$1.8M$1.8M$1.0M$750kThe Negaunee FoundationSince FY2020$100k$150k$200k$1.5MCrankstart FoundationSince FY2020$350k$300k$250k$250kJulian Family FoundationEvery year since FY2017$50k$32k$125k$125k$125k$275k$225kCaerus Foundation IncSince FY2019$130k$130k$135k$125k$131kRalla Klepak Performing Arts FoundationSince FY2020$100k$50k$250k$100kDonor-advised giftsDonors not disclosed$212k$134k$200k$222k$328k$379k$323k114 other fundersUp to $250k a year each$257k$313k$506k$1.1M$1.1M$1.2M$1.2M
FundedThrough a donor-advised fund