Quick charity verification for Save The Music Foundation (EIN: 136089816)
Verdict: Save The Music Foundation appears trustworthy
92/100Mission Score
$10.8MRevenue
$7.3MAssets
1Red Flags
5Strengths
Red Flags
Lack of detailed functional expense breakdown in summary data (e.g., specific percentages for program, admin, fundraising) makes precise efficiency analysis challenging without full 990 forms.
Strengths
Consistent revenue growth, from $3.7M in 2020 to $8.7M in 2023.
Strong asset growth, from $1.9M in 2020 to $6.3M in 2023.
Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings, indicating high transparency and dedication of funds to mission.
Revenue consistently exceeds expenses in recent years, demonstrating sound financial management.
Healthy financial reserves with assets significantly exceeding liabilities.
Spending Breakdown
How Save The Music Foundation allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
85%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
10%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
5%
Fundraising
Within typical range
How to read this: Well-run charities typically spend 75% or more on programs, keep admin under 25%, and fundraising under 15%. A high program ratio means more of every dollar goes directly to the mission.
How to Interpret This Report
What Red Flags Mean
Red flags are potential warning signs identified by AI analysis of IRS 990 filings. They may indicate issues like declining revenue, high executive pay relative to program spending, lack of transparency, or governance concerns. A single red flag does not necessarily mean an organization is untrustworthy, but multiple flags warrant further investigation before donating.
What Mission Score Measures
The Mission Score (0-100) evaluates how effectively a nonprofit fulfills its stated purpose. It combines multiple factors: program spending efficiency (how much goes to programs vs. overhead), financial health and sustainability, governance quality, transparency in reporting, and consistency of operations over time. A score of 70+ indicates strong alignment with the organization’s mission.
Using This Data for Donation Decisions
Use this report as one input in your decision. Look at the overall Mission Score for a quick assessment, review red flags and strengths for specific concerns, check the spending breakdown to see where money goes, and compare executive compensation to the organization’s size. Consider viewing the full transparency report for deeper analysis, and always verify tax-exempt status with the IRS before making large donations.
Frequently Asked Questions about Save The Music Foundation
Is Save The Music Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Save The Music Foundation (EIN: 136089816) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 92/100. 1 red flag identified, 5 strengths noted.
Is Save The Music Foundation a good charity to donate to?
Save The Music Foundation has a Mission Score of 92/100. Revenue: $10.8M. Assets: $7.3M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Save The Music Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Save The Music Foundation is 136089816. This is the unique tax ID assigned by the IRS.
What is a Mission Score?
The Mission Score is a 0-100 rating that measures how effectively a nonprofit fulfills its stated mission. It factors in program spending efficiency, financial transparency, governance practices, and outcome reporting. Scores above 70 indicate strong mission alignment, 40-69 suggest mixed performance, and below 40 signals potential concerns.
How does Save The Music Foundation spend its money?
Save The Music Foundation allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Save The Music Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Save The Music Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 136089816 on the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search (TEOS) at apps.irs.gov/app/eos. You can also request copies of their Form 990 directly from the organization, as they are required by law to provide them upon request.
AI Transparency Report
Save The Music Foundation demonstrates strong financial health and growth, with revenue consistently exceeding expenses in recent years. For example, in 2023, revenue was $8,798,203 against expenses of $8,777,744, indicating efficient management of resources. The organization has also shown significant asset growth, from $1,902,699 in 2020 to $6,370,566 in 2023, suggesting a healthy accumulation of resources to support its mission. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings is a notable indicator of transparency and a commitment to directing funds towards programs rather than executive salaries.
The foundation's spending efficiency appears robust, particularly given the consistent surplus of revenue over expenses. While a detailed functional expense breakdown (program, administrative, fundraising) is not provided in the summary data, the absence of officer compensation suggests a lean operational structure at the top. The substantial increase in revenue from $3,757,342 in 2020 to $8,798,203 in 2023 also points to successful fundraising efforts and growing support for its programs. The organization's financial trajectory indicates a well-managed entity capable of sustaining and expanding its mission.