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AMERICAN HARP SOCIETY, INC. Parent

aka AHS   |   Bellingham, MA   |  www.harpsociety.org
GuideStar Charity Check

AMERICAN HARP SOCIETY, INC.

EIN: 13-6131860

Mission

The mission of the American Harp Society, Inc. is to celebrate our legacy, inspire excellence, and empower the next generation of harpists.

Ruling year info

1977

Executive Director

Kathryn McManus

Main address

PO Box 260

Bellingham, MA 02019-0260 USA

Show more contact info

Formerly known as

AHS

EIN

13-6131860

Subject area info

Music

Population served info

Adults

Children and youth

Academics

Artists and performers

Retired people

Show more populations served

NTEE code info

(Music) (A68)

IRS subsection

501(c)(3) Public Charity

IRS filing requirement

This organization is required to file an IRS Form 990 or 990-EZ.

Tax forms

Show Forms 990

Communication

Affiliations

See related organizations info

Programs and results

Reports and documents
AHS Five Year Strategic Plan 2020 AHS Board Social Justice Statement 2021 DEI Statement & Code of Ethics

What we aim to solve

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Our programs

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?

National Conference

Every summer the American Harp Society hosts national gatherings. The National Conference, held in even-numbered years, features concerts by brilliant artists from around the world, workshops on wide-ranging topics, master classes with world-class teachers, and scholarly lectures to feed the intellectual soul, as well as an exhibit hall with a dizzying array of harps and related items.

Population(s) Served
Adults
Young adults

The Summer Institute, held in odd-numbered years, focuses on the student harpist with workshops, master classes, and concerts by the best performers and pedagogues in the world. The Summer Institute is held in conjunction with AHS National Competition, where dazzling young harpists compete for awards and scholarships.

Population(s) Served
Children and youth
Adults

Held every odd year (2015, 2017, etc.) in conjunction with the Summer Institute, the National Competition offers a total of over $30,000 in prize money. There are six winners in each of the five divisions:

Junior (12 & under)
Intermediate I (15 & under)
Intermediate II (18 & under)
Advanced (21 & under)
*Young Professional Divisions (30 & under).

* The 1st Prize Winner of the Young Professional Division serves as the AHS Concert Artist until the next competition.

AHS provides financial support to its chapters to present all winners in concert, through our Emerging Artists and Concert Artist programs.

Population(s) Served
Children and youth
Young adults

Music Education Auditions and Evaluations (A&E) is an educational program for harp students sponsored by the American Harp Society, Inc. through its chapters. Participants come specifically to be heard and to hear one another. Because this is a unique two-part program, there is special focus on the improvement that can be made by participating on both days.

This is not a competition. On the first day, participants play pieces of their own choosing for an advisor and for one another. The advisor gives each student feedback on their performance. A performers worksheet or traditional theory test is given. On the second day of the program, about a month later, participants show their improvement by playing the same pieces again. Because this is not a competition, no prizes are given, however everyone who participates both days receives a Certificate of Participation from the Music Education Committee of the American Harp Society.

Population(s) Served
Young adults
Children
Adolescents

Where we work

Our Sustainable Development Goals

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.

How we listen

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.

done We shared information about our current feedback practices.

  • How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?

    To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To identify where we are less inclusive or equitable across demographic groups, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve

  • Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?

    We collect feedback from the people we serve at least annually, We take steps to ensure people feel comfortable being honest with us, We look for patterns in feedback based on people’s interactions with us (e.g., site, frequency of service, etc.), We engage the people who provide feedback in looking for ways we can improve in response, We act on the feedback we receive

  • What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?

    It is difficult to get the people we serve to respond to requests for feedback, Staff find it hard to prioritize feedback collection and review due to lack of time

Financials

AMERICAN HARP SOCIETY, INC.
Fiscal year: Jul 01 - Jun 30
Financial documents
2022 2022 Financial Statements 2020 2020 American Harp Society Review 2019 2019 American Harp Society Audit 2018 2018-2019 Audit

Revenue vs. expenses:  breakdown

SOURCE: IRS Form 990 info
NET GAIN/LOSS:    in 
Note: When component data are not available, the graph displays the total Revenue and/or Expense values.

Liquidity in 2023 info

SOURCE: IRS Form 990

5.71

Average of 63.36 over 10 years

Months of cash in 2023 info

SOURCE: IRS Form 990

4.9

Average of 7.3 over 10 years

Fringe rate in 2023 info

SOURCE: IRS Form 990

0%

Average of 1% over 10 years

Funding sources info

Source: IRS Form 990

Assets & liabilities info

Source: IRS Form 990

Financial data

SOURCE: IRS Form 990

AMERICAN HARP SOCIETY, INC.

Revenue & expenses

Fiscal Year: Jul 01 - Jun 30

SOURCE: IRS Form 990 info

Fiscal year ending: cloud_download Download Data

AMERICAN HARP SOCIETY, INC.

Balance sheet

Fiscal Year: Jul 01 - Jun 30

SOURCE: IRS Form 990 info

The balance sheet gives a snapshot of the financial health of an organization at a particular point in time. An organization's total assets should generally exceed its total liabilities, or it cannot survive long, but the types of assets and liabilities must also be considered. For instance, an organization's current assets (cash, receivables, securities, etc.) should be sufficient to cover its current liabilities (payables, deferred revenue, current year loan, and note payments). Otherwise, the organization may face solvency problems. On the other hand, an organization whose cash and equivalents greatly exceed its current liabilities might not be putting its money to best use.

Fiscal year ending: cloud_download Download Data

AMERICAN HARP SOCIETY, INC.

Financial trends analysis Glossary & formula definitions

Fiscal Year: Jul 01 - Jun 30

SOURCE: IRS Form 990 info

This snapshot of AMERICAN HARP SOCIETY, INC.’s financial trends applies Nonprofit Finance Fund® analysis to data hosted by GuideStar. While it highlights the data that matter most, remember that context is key – numbers only tell part of any story.

Created in partnership with

Fiscal year: Jul 01 - Jun 30 picture_as_pdf View full report cloud_downloadDownload data

Business model indicators

Profitability info 2018 2019 2021 2022 2023
Unrestricted surplus (deficit) before depreciation $19,586 -$10,239 -$37,954 -$168,020 -$108,696
As % of expenses 5.9% -3.2% -16.3% -41.5% -30.0%
Unrestricted surplus (deficit) after depreciation $19,586 -$10,239 -$37,954 -$168,020 -$108,696
As % of expenses 5.9% -3.2% -16.3% -41.5% -30.0%
Revenue composition info
Total revenue (unrestricted & restricted) $353,079 $320,139 $237,464 $234,507 $254,201
Total revenue, % change over prior year 8.2% -9.3% 0.0% -1.2% 8.4%
Program services revenue 37.1% 23.5% 10.7% 47.3% 24.0%
Membership dues 52.7% 51.1% 41.3% 74.1% 51.8%
Investment income 3.6% 8.9% 6.0% 1.4% 6.7%
Government grants 0.0% 0.0% 4.2% 0.0% 0.0%
All other grants and contributions 0.8% 3.8% 19.6% 5.8% 5.5%
Other revenue 5.8% 12.8% 18.2% -28.6% 11.9%
Expense composition info
Total expenses before depreciation $332,024 $316,968 $233,426 $405,296 $362,897
Total expenses, % change over prior year 16.7% -4.5% 0.0% 73.6% -10.5%
Personnel 31.3% 33.0% 37.3% 28.3% 29.5%
Professional fees 3.9% 4.8% 6.6% 7.9% 4.8%
Occupancy 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0%
Interest 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0%
Pass-through 6.0% 4.8% 8.7% 7.6% 4.9%
All other expenses 58.9% 57.4% 47.4% 56.2% 60.9%
Full cost components (estimated) info 2018 2019 2021 2022 2023
Total expenses (after depreciation) $332,024 $316,968 $233,426 $405,296 $362,897
One month of savings $27,669 $26,414 $19,452 $33,775 $30,241
Debt principal payment $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Fixed asset additions $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Total full costs (estimated) $359,693 $343,382 $252,878 $439,071 $393,138

Capital structure indicators

Liquidity info 2018 2019 2021 2022 2023
Months of cash 8.2 8.7 20.6 10.0 4.9
Months of cash and investments 29.6 30.4 46.6 22.2 21.6
Months of estimated liquid unrestricted net assets 15.4 15.8 37.3 16.5 14.9
Balance sheet composition info 2018 2019 2021 2022 2023
Cash $226,071 $229,209 $400,136 $336,218 $148,182
Investments $591,589 $573,444 $506,564 $412,141 $504,297
Receivables $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Gross land, buildings, equipment (LBE) $5,110 $5,110 $5,110 $5,110 $5,110
Accumulated depreciation (as a % of LBE) 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
Liabilities (as a % of assets) 0.0% 0.9% 0.1% 1.8% 4.0%
Unrestricted net assets $426,399 $416,160 $725,903 $557,883 $449,187
Temporarily restricted net assets $83,695 $85,783 N/A N/A N/A
Permanently restricted net assets $307,566 $293,432 N/A N/A N/A
Total restricted net assets $391,261 $379,215 $180,096 $177,327 $177,327
Total net assets $817,660 $795,375 $905,999 $735,210 $626,514

Key data checks

Key data checks info 2018 2019 2021 2022 2023
Material data errors No No No No No

Operations

The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.

Documents
Letter of Determination
Form 1023/1024 is not available for this organization

Executive Director

Kathryn McManus

Kathryn McManus enjoyed a 25-year career as a professional harpist including the principal chair of a major regional orchestra, university and private studio teaching experience, and the development of an adult beginner harp curriculum. After twelve years on stage as principal harpist at The Florida Orchestra, Kathryn McManus moved on to lead the Orchestra as executive director for nine more years. In that role she brought the organization from near bankruptcy to solvency in the ranks of the nation’s finest orchestras. Senior leadership roles at several premier Florida non-profit organizations followed. In March, 2015, Kathryn was named executive director of the American Harp Society, blending her musical and nonprofit careers together. Ms. McManus holds degrees in harp performance summa cum laude from the Cleveland Institute of Music & Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH and the North Carolina School of the Arts, Winston-Salem, NC.

Number of employees

Source: IRS Form 990

AMERICAN HARP SOCIETY, INC.

Officers, directors, trustees, and key employees

SOURCE: IRS Form 990

Compensation
Other
Related
Show data for fiscal year
Compensation data
Download up to 5 most recent years of officer and director compensation data for this organization

There are no highest paid employees recorded for this organization.

AMERICAN HARP SOCIETY, INC.

Board of directors
as of 06/26/2024
SOURCE: Self-reported by organization
Board of directors data
Download the most recent year of board of directors data for this organization
Board chair

Angela Schwarzkopf

Jennifer Ellis

Pacific Regional Director

Chilali Hugo

President, Western Regional Director

Karen Lindquist

Director at Large

Charles Lynch

Director at Large

Felice Pomeranz

Northeastern Regional Director

Angela Schwarzkopt

Chairman of the Board

Susan Spiwak

Secretary, Director at Large

Anne Sullivan

Midatlantic Regional Director

Kela Walton

Director at Large

Joan Holland

Mid Central Regional Director

Jeremy Chesman

Treasurer, North Central Regional Director

Rosanna Chiu

Second Vice President, Director at Large

Karen Gottlieb

Director at Large

Rebecca Todaro

Southern Regional Director

Elisa Torres

Southeastern Regional Director

Steve Moss

Director at Large

Amelia Romano

Director at Large

Rebecca Yuille

Director at Large

Hope Cowan

South Central Regional Director

Megan Sesma

First Vice President, Director at Large

Board leadership practices

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.

  • Board orientation and education
    Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes
  • CEO oversight
    Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes
  • Ethics and transparency
    Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes
  • Board composition
    Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes
  • Board performance
    Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? No

Organizational demographics

SOURCE: Self-reported; last updated 7/26/2023
info Candid has made improvements to the race and ethnicity options.

Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.

Leadership

The organization's leader identifies as:

Race & ethnicity
White/Caucasian/European
Gender identity
Female, Not transgender
Sexual orientation
Heterosexual or Straight
Disability status
Person without a disability

Race & ethnicity

Gender identity

Transgender Identity

Sexual orientation

No data

Disability

Equity strategies

Last updated: 10/22/2021

GuideStar partnered with Equity in the Center - an organization that works to shift mindsets, practices, and systems to increase racial equity - to create this section. Learn more

Data
  • We have long-term strategic plans and measurable goals for creating a culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.
Policies and processes
  • We have a promotion process that anticipates and mitigates implicit and explicit biases about people of color serving in leadership positions.
  • We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization.
  • We engage everyone, from the board to staff levels of the organization, in race equity work and ensure that individuals understand their roles in creating culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.