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CHARITY REVIEW
Issued: May 2026 Expires: May 2028

Save the Music Foundation

Standards Not Met
Standards Not Met
7
(212) 977-0176
Post Office Box 2096
New York, NY, 10108
https://savethemusic.org/
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Standards For Charity Accountability

Governance

  1. Board Oversight
  2. Board Size
  3. Board Meetings
  4. Board Compensation
  5. Conflict of Interest

Measuring Effectiveness

  1. Effectiveness Policy
  2. Effectiveness Report

Finances

  1. Program Expenses
  2. Fundraising Expenses
  3. Accumulating Funds
  4. Audit Report
  5. Detailed Expense Breakdown
  6. Accurate Expense Reporting
  7. Budget Plan

Fundraising & Info

  1. Truthful Materials
  2. Annual Report
  3. Website Disclosures
  4. Donor Privacy
  5. Cause Marketing Disclosures
  6. Complaints

Save the Music Foundation does not meet the following 1 Standards for Charity Accountability:

Standard 7 (Board Approval of Written Report on Effectiveness)
Submit to the organization's governing body, for its approval, a written report that outlines the results of the aforementioned performance and effectiveness assessment and recommendations for future actions.

STM does not meet this Standard because:

  • The organization did not produce a written report outlining the results of its effectiveness assessment completed in December 2025.

The BBB Wise Giving Alliance requested but did not receive complete information from the organization and is unable to verify the organization's compliance with the following Standard(s) for Charity Accountability: 6

Save the Music Foundation meets the remaining 18 Standards for Charity Accountability.

Stated Purpose:
"to help students, schools, and communities reach their full potential through the power of making music."

Year, State Incorporated:
1955, NY

Save The Music Foundation (STM) reports that it works to help students, schools, and communities invest in music education by supporting music teachers and donating musical instruments, equipment, and technology to public schools. In 2024, the organization states that it delivered grant packages to 132 schools in 49 school districts, totaling more than 22,000 musical instruments and pieces of musical equipment.

For the year ended December 31, 2024, Save the Music Foundation's program expenses were:

Program services $7,369,321
Total Program Expenses $7,369,321

Chief Executive
Henry Donahue, Executive Director

Compensation*
$181,647

Chair of the Board
Jennifer Grady

Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Partner and Co-Chair, Transactional Department, Crowell & Moring, LLP

Board Size
20

Paid Staff Size
16

*2024 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.

Note: In 2024, the organization's highest compensated employee was Chief Development Officer and Deputy Executive Director, Danielle Zalaznick, receiving $224,199 in compensation.

Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Invitations to fund raising events, Print advertisements (newspapers, magazines, etc.), Grant proposals, Internet, Planned giving arrangements, Cause-related marketing (affinity credit cards, consumer product sales, etc.), Workplace Giving

Fundraising costs were 14% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $11,049,480, are donations received as a result of fundraising activities.)

This organization is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.

The following information is based on Save the Music Foundation's audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2024.

Source of Funds
Contributions and grants $7,448,425
In-kind contributions $3,156,776
Special events, net $444,279
Interest $64,728
Investment income, net $21,261
Royalties $2,219
Total Income $11,137,688

Programs: 78% Fundraising: 16% Administrative: 6%

Total Income $11,137,688
Total expenses: $9,462,347
  Program expenses $7,369,321
  Fundraising expenses $1,503,195
  Administrative expenses $589,831
  Other expenses $0
Income in Excess of Expenses $1,675,341
Beginning Net Assets $5,023,757
Other Changes In Net Assets $0
Ending Net Assets $6,699,098
Total Liabilities $636,791
Total Assets $7,335,889

Note: According to STM's 2024 audited financial statements, the organization received $3,156,776 in contributed goods and services including musical education restoration and supporting services ($2,892,794), musical instruments ($210,911), and fundraising ($53,071).

An organization may change its practices at any time without notice. A copy of this report has been shared with the organization prior to publication. It is not intended to recommend or deprecate, and is furnished solely to assist you in exercising your own judgment. If the report is about a charity and states the charity meets or does not meet the Standards for Charity Accountability, it reflects the results of an evaluation of information and materials provided voluntarily by the charity. The name Better Business Bureau is a registered service mark of the International Association of Better Business Bureaus.

This report is not to be used for fundraising or promotional purposes.

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Report completed by:
BBB Wise Giving Alliance