Music Is the Way Inc
Music Is the Way Inc is a private foundation focused on Arts, Culture & Humanities, based in Santa Fe, NM. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $6K in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 1 grant totaling $1K.
Music Is the Way Inc at a glance
In short: Music Is the Way Inc gave $1K across 1 grant in 2024 (avg $1K), mostly in California. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,000
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 1
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $1,000
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $1,000
- Total assets
- $5,537
- -35.9% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- California (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who Music Is the Way Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was San Francisco Community Musical Center ($1K).
Grant Size Distribution
5 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 5 grants of 5 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of the 2024 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.
States
Cities
How Music Is the Way Inc gives
- Giving fell 80% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 213% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $1K (2023) to $5K (2021). In 2024 it made 1 grant totaling $1K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco Community Musical Center San Francisco, CA | Charitable | $1,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $5,537 | — | $3,106 | $1,000 | 1 | $1,000 | $470 |
| 2023 | $8,643 | — | $3,395 | $1,000 | 1 | $1,000 | $589 |
| 2022 | $12,038 | — | $5,387 | $3,000 | 1 | $3,000 | $847 |
| 2021 | $17,425 | $20,000 | $7,378 | $5,000 | 1 | $5,000 | $226 |
| 2020 | $4,803 | $6,500 | $7,363 | $5,000 | 1 | — | $277 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Music Is the Way Inc reported a distributable amount of $470 for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Music Is the Way Inc is led by Leanne G. Rees, President & CEO on every filing since 2020; 1 of 2 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Leanne G. Rees
President & CEO
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michaela Palumbo
Treasurer & Secretary
Treasurer → Treasurer & Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$500 (2020) → $500 (2024)
Former officers (1)
- Former: Leslie Straus (2020–2023) — Vice President & Secretary
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $500, to Michaela Palumbo (Treasurer, Secretary).
Frequently asked questions about Music Is the Way Inc
How much does Music Is the Way Inc give each year?
Music Is the Way Inc gave $1K across 1 grant in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $1K across 1 grant.
How large is Music Is the Way Inc?
Music Is the Way Inc reported $6K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $470 (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is Music Is the Way Inc?
Music Is the Way Inc is a private foundation focused on Arts, Culture & Humanities, based in Santa Fe, NM. It holds $6K in total assets as of 2024.
Where does Music Is the Way Inc operate?
Music Is the Way Inc has awarded grants in California, Utah.
What is Music Is the Way Inc's EIN?
Music Is the Way Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 81-1357378. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Music Is the Way Inc funds
Arts, Culture & Humanities Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
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Browse active grant opportunities in Music Is the Way Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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