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Nonprofiteer
← SONGBIRDS FOUNDATION INC

Form 990 for tax year 2025

Filed by SONGBIRDS FOUNDATION INC.

This return was superseded by a later amendment. matched by us It is kept because history is preserved rather than replaced.

What the amendment changed

Compared with the latest return for 2025 , filed 10 July 2026. matched by us Only the Part I totals and the names listed in Part VII are compared. We relate returns by organization, tax year and form, and order them by each return's own timestamp; the filer's own "amended return" checkbox is a separate fact.

Total revenue
$2,575,051 changed to $1,979,200
Contributions and grants received
$1,820,298 changed to $1,224,447
Total assets, end of year
$17,615,578 changed to $17,019,727
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
$17,019,393 changed to $16,423,542

Totals

Total revenue
$2,575,051
Total expenses
$1,265,257
Contributions and grants received
$1,820,298
Grants paid
$0
Program service revenue
$16,245
Investment income
$497,146
Other revenue
$241,362
Total assets, end of year
$17,615,578
Total liabilities, end of year
$596,185
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
$17,019,393
Program services expenses (Part IX)
$1,018,405
Management and general expenses
$235,176
Fundraising expenses
$11,676
Program service expenses (Part III)
$1,018,405

Program services were 80.5% of total expenses calculated — Part IX's program-services column over total expenses, both as filed.

Line items

Every line the filer filed in Parts VIII, IX and X, as filed and in filed order. Blank columns are left out, and the lines are not forced to add up to the totals above.

Revenue

Part VIII, the statement of revenue.

  • 1a · Federated campaigns

    $0

  • 1b · Membership dues

    $0

  • 1c · Fundraising events

    $0

  • 1d · Related organizations

    $0

  • 1e · Government grants (contributions)

    $771,502

  • 1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants

    $1,048,796

  • 1g · Noncash contributions included above

    $741,226

  • 2a · Program service revenue: FACILITY DONATION

    total $16,245 · related or exempt $16,245 · unrelated business $0 · excluded $0

  • 2f · All other program service revenue

    total $0 · related or exempt $0 · unrelated business $0 · excluded $0

  • 3 · Investment income

    total $571,478 · related or exempt $571,478 · unrelated business $0 · excluded $0

  • 4 · Income from investment of tax-exempt bond proceeds

    total $0 · related or exempt $0 · unrelated business $0 · excluded $0

  • 5 · Royalties

    total $0 · related or exempt $0 · unrelated business $0 · excluded $0

  • 6c · Rental income or loss

    real property $0 · personal property $0

  • 7a · Gross sales of assets other than inventory

    securities $0 · other assets -$74,332

  • 7b · Less cost or other basis and sales expenses

    securities $0 · other assets $0

  • 7c · Gain or loss

    securities $0 · other assets -$74,332

  • 7d · Net gain or loss

    total -$74,332 · related or exempt -$74,332 · unrelated business $0 · excluded $0

  • 8a · Fundraising events: gross income

    $205,324

  • 8a · Fundraising events: contributions included on line 1c

    $0

  • 8b · Fundraising events: direct expenses

    $107,459

  • 8c · Net income from fundraising events

    total $97,865 · unrelated business $0 · excluded $97,865

  • 10a · Gross sales of inventory

    $110,506

  • 10b · Cost of goods sold

    $23,527

  • 10c · Net income from sales of inventory

    total $86,979 · related or exempt $86,979 · unrelated business $0 · excluded $0

  • 11d · All other revenue

    total $56,518 · related or exempt $56,518 · unrelated business $0 · excluded $0

  • 11e · Other revenue, total

    $56,518

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

  • 1 · Grants to domestic organizations and governments

    total $0 · program services $0

  • 2 · Grants to domestic individuals

    total $0 · program services $0

  • 3 · Grants to foreign organizations and individuals

    total $0 · program services $0

  • 4 · Benefits paid to or for members

    total $0 · program services $0

  • 5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees

    total $95,633 · program services $85,101 · management and general $4,782 · fundraising $5,750

  • 6 · Compensation of disqualified persons

    total $0 · program services $0 · management and general $0 · fundraising $0

  • 7 · Other salaries and wages

    total $498,359 · program services $468,527 · management and general $24,499 · fundraising $5,333

  • 8 · Pension plan contributions

    total $0 · program services $0 · management and general $0 · fundraising $0

  • 9 · Other employee benefits

    total $11,750 · program services $11,163 · management and general $587 · fundraising $0

  • 10 · Payroll taxes

    total $43,097 · program services $40,514 · management and general $1,990 · fundraising $593

  • 11a · Fees: management

    total $0 · program services $0 · management and general $0 · fundraising $0

  • 11b · Fees: legal

    total $28,671 · program services $0 · management and general $28,671 · fundraising $0

  • 11c · Fees: accounting

    total $44,303 · program services $0 · management and general $44,303 · fundraising $0

  • 11d · Fees: lobbying

    total $0 · program services $0 · management and general $0 · fundraising $0

  • 11e · Fees: professional fundraising services

    total $0 · fundraising $0

  • 11f · Fees: investment management

    total $0 · program services $0 · management and general $0 · fundraising $0

  • 11g · Fees: other

    total $58,334 · program services $50,765 · management and general $7,569 · fundraising $0

  • 12 · Advertising and promotion

    total $18,358 · program services $18,358 · management and general $0 · fundraising $0

  • 13 · Office expenses

    total $12,687 · program services $0 · management and general $12,687 · fundraising $0

  • 14 · Information technology

    total $0 · program services $0 · management and general $0 · fundraising $0

  • 15 · Royalties

    total $0 · program services $0 · management and general $0 · fundraising $0

  • 16 · Occupancy

    total $101,758 · program services $97,870 · management and general $3,888 · fundraising $0

  • 17 · Travel

    total $1,307 · program services $401 · management and general $906 · fundraising $0

  • 18 · Travel or entertainment for public officials

    total $0 · program services $0 · management and general $0 · fundraising $0

  • 19 · Conferences, conventions and meetings

    total $0 · program services $0 · management and general $0 · fundraising $0

  • 20 · Interest

    total $0 · program services $0 · management and general $0 · fundraising $0

  • 21 · Payments to affiliates

    total $0 · program services $0 · management and general $0 · fundraising $0

  • 22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    total $137,272 · program services $137,272 · management and general $0 · fundraising $0

  • 23 · Insurance

    total $32,500 · program services $0 · management and general $32,500 · fundraising $0

  • 24a · Other expenses: MERGER EXPENSES

    total $34,252 · program services $0 · management and general $34,252 · fundraising $0

  • 24e · All other expenses

    total $146,976 · program services $108,434 · management and general $38,542 · fundraising $0

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

  • 1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing

    beginning of year $227,846 · end of year $253,193

  • 2 · Savings and temporary cash investments

    beginning of year $594,720 · end of year $388,196

  • 3 · Pledges and grants receivable

    beginning of year $0 · end of year $769,096

  • 4 · Accounts receivable

    beginning of year $0 · end of year $0

  • 5 · Loans and receivables from officers and key people

    beginning of year $0 · end of year $0

  • 6 · Loans and receivables from disqualified persons

    beginning of year $0 · end of year $0

  • 7 · Other notes and loans receivable

    beginning of year $0 · end of year $0

  • 8 · Inventories for sale or use

    beginning of year $29,858 · end of year $30,083

  • 9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges

    beginning of year $0 · end of year $8,276

  • 10a · Land, buildings and equipment: cost or other basis

    $1,541,748

  • 10b · Land, buildings and equipment: accumulated depreciation

    $412,833

  • 10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net

    beginning of year $512,815 · end of year $1,128,915

  • 11 · Investments: publicly traded securities

    beginning of year $0 · end of year $0

  • 12 · Investments: other securities

    beginning of year $2,366,071 · end of year $2,919,073

  • 13 · Investments: program-related

    beginning of year $0 · end of year $0

  • 14 · Intangible assets

    beginning of year $0 · end of year $0

  • 15 · Other assets

    beginning of year $12,639,799 · end of year $12,118,746

  • 17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    beginning of year $18,795 · end of year $9,170

  • 18 · Grants payable

    beginning of year $0 · end of year $0

  • 19 · Deferred revenue

    beginning of year $12,211 · end of year $24,065

  • 20 · Tax-exempt bond liabilities

    beginning of year $0 · end of year $0

  • 21 · Escrow or custodial account liability

    beginning of year $0 · end of year $0

  • 22 · Loans and payables to officers and key people

    beginning of year $0 · end of year $0

  • 23 · Secured mortgages and notes payable

    beginning of year $0 · end of year $0

  • 24 · Unsecured notes and loans payable

    beginning of year $0 · end of year $0

  • 25 · Other liabilities

    beginning of year $630,504 · end of year $562,950

  • 27 · Net assets without donor restrictions

    beginning of year $15,709,599 · end of year $17,019,393

  • 28 · Net assets with donor restrictions

    beginning of year $0 · end of year $0

Mission and programs · 2025

Mission

SONGBIRDS STRIVES TO SHARE THE TRANSFORMATIVE EXPERIENCE OF MUSIC ACROSS THE SOUTH BY DELIVERING EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING, PERSERVING MUSIC HISTORY, HOSTING ENRICHING EVENTS, AND PROVIDING CONCRETE RESOURCES TO EMERGING ARTISTS.

  • SONGBIRDS GUITARS FOR KIDS PROGRAM FURTHERS THE PHILOSOPHY THAT MUSIC IS ONE OF THE MOST TRANSFORMATIVE FORMS OF COMMUNICATION - TRANSCENDING BARRIERS AND CREATING COMMON GROUND THROUGH ITS ABILITY TO BIND US TOGETHER AND STRENGTHEN US AS INDIVIDUALS. NO MATTER HOW DIFFERENT OR DISTANT A CULTURE WE CAN ALWAYS GAIN AN UNDERSTANDING OF THAT CULTURE THROUGH MUSIC. GUITAR FOR KIDS PROVIDES GUITAR LESSONS, MUSIC THERAPY, AND OTHER MUSICAL EXPERIENCES TO HUNDREDS OF YOUTH ACROSS CHATTANOOGA THROUGH CLASSES THAT FOCUS ON GUITAR BASICS AND PROVIDE STUDENTS WITH THE FUNDAMENTALS BY EXPOSING THEM TO A WIDE VARIETY OF PLAYING STYLES AND TECHNIQUES.

    Expenses $4,650

  • FACILITY DONATION AND FOOD, BEVERAGE & MERCHANDISE SALES - GUESTS ARE SURROUNDED BY MUSIC MEMORABILIA, VINTAGE GUITARS, A CUSTOM-BUILT OAK AND ASH STAGE, AND INTERACTIVE EXHIBITS. RADIO HOUR- LIVE RADIO SHOW FEATURING CELEBRATED MUSICIANS INCLUDING PERFORMANCES, INTERVIEWS, AND AUDIENCE Q&A.

    Expenses $30,806

  • N/A

  • THE PROGRAM INTEGRATES REGIONAL AND NATIONAL ARTISTS AND STUDENTS ARE ABLE TO ATTEND FREE SHOWS AND PERFORM, COLLABORATE, AND RECORD WITH THESE ARTISTS. CLASSES ALSO OFFER STUDENTS A FORUM TO DISCUSS SOCIAL, HEALTH, AND LIFE ISSUES. CERTIFIED MUSIC THERAPISTS USE MUSIC TO HELP STUDENTS WORK THROUGH THESE ISSUES. STUDENTS ALSO WORK IN GROUPS THAT ALLOW THEM TO CREATE FRIENDSHIPS AND ESTABLISH MUSIC BONDS WITH OTHER PLAYERS. THIS TYPE OF GROUP INTERACTION IS ESSENTIAL FOR KIDS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED BULLYING, OR HAVE DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS SUCH AS AUTISM OR ASPERGER'S. THE PROGRAM WAS MODIFIED TO SERVE STUDENTS WHEREVER THEY WERE WORKING FROM HOME OR IN PERSON AT SCHOOL. WE KNOW THAT MUSIC HELPS KIDS COPE WITH THE DEVASTATING DEMANDS THAT THE PANDEMIC PLACED ON FAMILIES. THE PROGRAM ALLOWED OVER 4,500 KIDS TO HAVE INTERACTIVE MUSICAL EXPERIENCES WITH THE ORGANIZATION'S TEACHERS AND OTHER STUDENTS. WE WORKED WITH 102 SCHOOLS AND 22 PARTNER PROGRAMS TO TRAIN THEIR CHORUS TEACHERS HOW TO TEACH OUR CURRICULUM TO THEIR STUDENTS. WE THEN PROVIDED EACH TEACHER WITH A DONATED SET OF 25-50 GUITARS, CURRICULUM BOOKS, EQUIPMENT (PICKS, STRINGS, BAGS, TUNERS), AND ONGOING SUPPORT. MORE THAN 832 GUITARS WERE DISTRIBUTED ACROSS THE STATE.

    Expenses $982,949

As filed on the 2025 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.

Listed in Part VII

  • John Dooley

    EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $95,633
    From this org
    $95,633
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Hours/week
    40

  • Johnny Smith

    PRESIDENT

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • William Aiken

    SECRETARY

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • W Thorpe McKenzie

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

Compensation is as filed in Part VII: reportable pay from this organization and from related organizations, other compensation, and hours per week. The total, marked calculated, is our sum of the three dollar columns, with a blank column counted as $0; the form itself has no total. On a Form 990-EZ the columns are Part IV's instead, and on a Form 990-PF Part VIII's — compensation, contributions to benefit plans, and expense account — and the total sums those.

Grants on this return

No itemized grants to organizations on this return.

Related organizations on this return

Schedule R Part II: tax-exempt organizations related to the filer by control. It does not record shared board members or money.

Provenance

Return type
form_990
Tax year
2025
Filed
10 July 2026
IRS schema version
2025v4.0
Source object
202611959349302101

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