Mission
Founded in 1979, the Merit School of Music is a community music school that provides high-quality music education for students of all ages and backgrounds, promoting access to music education through affordable classes and programs designed to cultivate musical and personal growth.
Basic Information
Founded in
1979
EIN
36-3028768
Total Assets
$36 million
UN Sustainable Development Goals Supported
This organization contributes to the following United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. See the SDG page for more information.
At a Glance
Early Childhood Music Classes
Classes designed for children ages 0-8 that promote early musical growth.
Music for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing
Specialized programs that make music education accessible for DHH children.
Chicago Musical Pathways Initiative
An initiative supporting underrepresented students pursuing classical music careers.
Impact Stats
Number of students
Students Engaged Annually
Merit serves thousands of students across various music programs.
Percentage of graduates
Conservatory Graduates Accepting College Offers
High rate of graduates from the Conservatory program move on to higher education.
Funding Amount
Financial Aid and Student Support
Significant funding aimed at supporting students in financial need.
Past Events
Annual Merit Gala 2023
2023-04-25
A fun and engaging concert featuring local artists and Merit students.
Upcoming Events
Our Programs
Volunteer Opportunities
Testimonials
"My favorite part about attending Merit was the progress I could see in myself."
Emma
Merit alum
"The Merit team is responsive, communicative, supportive, encouraging, and understanding."
Mary
Merit parent
MIP Score (Beta)
The MIP Score is in beta! We'd love any feedback you may have.
The MIP Score and it's methodology is purely used as a way to visualize how a nonprofits public financial data compares against others. It doesn't reflect the unique circumstances and impact that a nonprofit has.The MIP Score should never be used to say one charity is better than another.
Overall Score
72
62
/100
Program Expense Ratio
80.38%
12
/20
Program Revenue Growth
-0.37%
2
/20
Leverage Ratio
0.03488
20
/20
Working Capital Ratio
4.14
18
/20
Fundraising Efficiency
1.954
10
/20
Latest Filing Data: Form 990
Fiscal Year:2022
Source:Source: Self-reported by organization
Financial Details
Revenue
| Category | Amount | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Contributions, Gifts, and Grants | 7.415M | 63.27% |
| Program Services | 2.556M | 21.81% |
| Investment Income | 599.3K | 5.11% |
| Sales of Non-Inventory Assets | 975.3K | 8.32% |
| Other Notable Sources | 13.88K | 0.12% |
| Total Revenue | 11.72M | 100.00% |
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