Music Is the Way Inc

Private foundation · Grantmaker Santa Fe, NM EIN: 81-1357378

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.

Key facts about Music Is the Way Inc

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.

EIN
81-1357378
Latest 990 filing
Form 990-PF, 2024
Annual giving (2024)
$1,000
Grants made (2024)
1
Average grant
$1,000
Median grant
$1,000
Total assets
$5,537
Primary geography
California (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$6K

-35.9% YoY

Annual Giving

$1K

+0.0% YoY

Grant Count

1

+0.0% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$1K

+0.0% YoY

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.

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.

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

Grant Distribution by State

2states

Share of the 2024 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.

Cities

San FranciscoIvins

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$2K$4K$6K1 grant2020 1 grant2021 1 grant2022 1 grant2023 1 grant2024

From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $1K (2023) to $5K (2021). In 2024 it made 1 grant totaling $1K.

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top recipient in 2024

San Francisco Community Musical Center: $1KSan Francisco CommunityMusical Center$1K

The largest 2024 recipient was San Francisco Community Musical Center ($1K).

Grant Size Distribution

5 grants across all recorded years

5<$50K$50–100K$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 5 grants of 5 (100%).

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
San Francisco Community Musical Center San Francisco, CACharitable$1,000

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
$0$10K$20K$30K2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
Metric202420232022
Total Assets$5,537$8,643$12,038
Expenses$3,106$3,395$5,387
Qualifying Distributions$1,000$1,000$3,000
Distributable Amount$470$589$847

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024

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

Michaela Palumbo — Treasurer, Secretary: $500Michaela PalumboTreasurer, Secretary$500

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.

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