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Music Associates of Aspen
Also known as Aspen Music Festival and School
Music Associates of Aspen reported $43.3 million in revenue and $25.7 million in expenses for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025. Of every $100 it spent, $78.68 went to program services, $16.84 to management and general costs and $4.48 to fundraising. Its largest source of revenue was contributions and grants: 59.9% of the total. The highest compensation it reported for one person was $604,140 (PRESIDENT & CEO). 12 people received more than $100,000 in reportable compensation. Revenue rose 410% between FY2020 and FY2025. Source: Form 990, FY2025.
Where $100 of spending went
The fiscal year ending September 30, 2025 · Form 990, Part IX, line 25 · total expenses $26MFor context, the median across 876 covered arts, culture & humanities charities: $79.98 programs, $13.89 management, $6.13 fundraising (medians computed separately, so they may not sum to $100).
Where $100 of revenue came from
The fiscal year ending September 30, 2025 · Form 990, Part VIII · total revenue $43M- Contributions & grants (non-government)$59.09 $26M
- Government grants$0.22 $94,900
- Program service revenue$18.91 $8.3M
- Investment income$21.78 $9.5M
Other revenue was negative: −$444K. The bar shows the positive sources only.
The 990 scorecard · same measures for every charity, no grades
| Measure | FY2025 | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Program services Part IX 25(B) ÷ 25(A) | 78.7% | 78.5% |
| Management & general Part IX 25(C) ÷ 25(A) | 16.8% | 13.6% |
| Fundraising Part IX 25(D) ÷ 25(A) | 4.5% | 6.0% |
| Fundraising cost per $1 of contributions Part IX 25(D) ÷ Part VIII 1h | $0.04 | $0.10 |
| Contributions & grants share of revenue Part VIII 1h ÷ 12 | 59.9% | 57.5% |
| Government grants share of revenue Part VIII 1e ÷ 12 | 0.2% | 1.7% |
| Program service revenue share Part VIII 2g ÷ 12 | 19.1% | 20.8% |
| Highest reported compensation Part VII-A, columns D–F | $604,140 | $385,706 |
| Highest compensation as share of expenses Part VII-A ÷ Part IX 25(A) | 2.35% | 2.03% |
| People paid over $100,000 Part VII, line 2 | 12 | 8 |
| Net assets, in months of expenses Part X 33(B) ÷ monthly expenses | 68.7 | 36.6 |
| Independent voting board members Part VI 1a–1b | 36 of 48 | 100.0% |
A median is context, not a target: hospitals, universities, food banks and grantmakers spend in very different ways. What these measures can and can't tell you.
What the money paid for, in its own words
FY2025 · Form 990, Part III · the three largest programs by expenseThe Aspen Music festival and school (amfs) is widely recognized as one of the finest classical music training and performance centers worldwide. Presenting more than 400 events during its 8-week summer season, amfs draws leading classical musicians from around the world for a rich combination of performances of orchestral works, opera, chamber music, recitals, contemporary music, works by new or previously unrecognized voices, family events, and talks, competitions, and classes. In 2025, more than 450 students participated. Students come from 40 U.S. States and 40 countries to study and…
A deep commitment to aspen and the surrounding communities is reflected in the dozens of events and experiences that amfs offers that are free to the public during the summer season. A signature summer lesson program taught by amfs students (pals), early childhood classes such as tunes and tales, and annual family concerts bring high quality, engaging musical experiences to families and students of all ages. From fall to spring, amfs engages young audiences with popular in-school and after-school lessons, classes, in-school concerts, workshops, and performance opportunities. In 2025…
Highest reported compensation
FY2025 · Form 990, Part VII, Section A · roles as filed; names are in the filing, not here| Role | From this org | From related orgs | Other | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PRESIDENT & CEO Officer, 40.00 hrs/week | $573,908 | $0 | $30,232 | $604,140 |
| SR VP FINANCE/ADMIN Key employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $313,678 | $0 | $31,132 | $344,810 |
| VP ARTISTIC ADMIN. Key employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $222,378 | $0 | $19,896 | $242,274 |
| VP MARKETING/COMM. Key employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $211,871 | $0 | $28,032 | $239,903 |
| CFO Key employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $193,445 | $0 | $22,974 | $216,419 |
| VP AND GENERAL MANAGER Key employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $166,226 | $0 | $20,183 | $186,409 |
| VP AND DEAN OF STUDENTS Key employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $169,387 | $0 | $10,082 | $179,469 |
| VP ADVANCEMENT Key employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $156,216 | $0 | $10,000 | $166,216 |
12 people received more than $100,000 in reportable compensation from Music Associates of Aspen (Part VII, line 2). Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees totaled $3.1M (Part IX, line 5).
6 years of filings
Form 990, Parts I, VII, IX and X · each row is that year's own filing, linkedGovernance answers, as filed
FY2025 · the organization's own yes/no answers; explanations, if any, are in Schedule O of the filing · what each means- Voting board members, and how many are independent Part VI, lines 1a–1b48 · 36 independent
- Audited financial statements Part XII 2bYes
- Conflict-of-interest policy Part VI 12aYes
- Whistleblower policy Part VI 13Yes
- Document retention policy Part VI 14Yes
- Independent process for top executive pay Part VI 15aYes
- Board given the 990 before filing Part VI 11aNo
- Family or business ties among insiders Part VI 2No
- Aware of a significant diversion of assets Part VI 5No
- Excess benefit transaction with an insider Part IV 25aNo
- Loans to or from insiders outstanding Part IV 26No
- Lobbying, or a 501(h) election in effect Part IV 4No
- Over $15,000 of professional fundraising services Part IV 18No
- Over $10,000 of activity outside the U.S. Part IV 14bYes
- Employees Part I, line 5165
- Volunteers Part I, line 630
Largest outside contractors
FY2025 · Form 990, Part VII, Section B · businesses onlyIndividuals listed as contractors are left out. 10 contractors were paid more than $100,000 in all.
Private foundation grants it received
20 private foundations reported grants to Music Associates of Aspen totaling $158K on their tax year 2023 Form 990-PF returns. See which foundations, on WHOFUNDS.
Source: WHOFUNDS open grant graph, matched from Form 990-PF Part XV.
Correct a figure or respond
Every number above is copied from Music Associates of Aspen's own Form 990. If one doesn't match the filing, that's our error and we'll fix it. If you work for Music Associates of Aspen, you can publish a response that is linked from this page.
Share or embed this breakdown
Of every $100 Music Associates of Aspen spent in FY2025, $78.68 went to programs. The full breakdown, from its IRS Form 990:
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- Omaha Performing Arts SocietyOmaha, NE · revenue $43M · programs 87.2% · FY2025
All arts, culture & humanities charities · Largest charities in Colorado
Questions people ask
How much of Music Associates of Aspen's spending goes to programs?
In the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025, Music Associates of Aspen reported that 78.7% of its $25.7 million in expenses went to program services, 16.8% to management and general and 4.5% to fundraising (Form 990, Part IX).
How much does Music Associates of Aspen pay its top executive?
The largest total compensation Music Associates of Aspen reported for one person in the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025 was $604,140, for the role of PRESIDENT & CEO (Form 990, Part VII, including compensation from related organizations and other compensation).
Where does Music Associates of Aspen get its money?
Of $43.3 million in revenue in the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025, 59.9% came from contributions and grants (including 0.2% from government grants) and 19.1% from program service revenue (Form 990, Part VIII).
Is Music Associates of Aspen a registered charity?
The IRS lists EIN 84-0445087 as a 501(c)(3) organization (school), and its records show contributions as tax-deductible. Form 990 filings on record here cover tax years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024. A filing shows what the organization reported; it doesn't by itself show whether a program works.
Sources
- FY2025: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025, object 202610739349301211 · read the filing · XML
- FY2024: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024, object 202501419349300000 · read the filing
- FY2023: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2023, object 202401009349301680 · read the filing
- FY2022: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2022, object 202331119349301628 · read the filing
- FY2021: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2021, object 202231249349301013 · read the filing
- FY2020: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2020, object 202101619349301610 · read the filing
All filings for EIN 84-0445087: ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer · IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search. Figures are as the organization reported them; we have not audited them.