Walker West Music Academy

What it reported doing in 2024

Walker west music academy, located in saint paul at 650 marshall ave., is a vibrant music school. Thought to be the oldest community music school in the nation, founded by african american musicians, we offer affordable, accessible, high-quality instruction in all genres of music, including classical, with a special emphasis on jazz, gospel, and improvisational music. More than just a school, we are a caring community where professional musicians inspire a lifelong love of music. There is something for everyone at walker west from ages 0 to 99. 345 students were enrolled in individual private lessons. 45 students were enrolled in our ensembles. Lessons are held in 18-20-week sessions from september to june and an 8-week session over the summer. Instruments for individual instruction include piano, guitar, bass, wind instruments, voice, percussion, organ, violin, viola, and cello. After each session, a concert is given so students can perform what they have learned. The concerts are open to the public, and anyone interested in attending is welcome to attend. Private lessons are taught to students ages 5 and older. Our jazz ensembles rehearse weekly and perform for community events such as juneteenth, national night out, selby jazz festival, twin cities jazz fest, and other commissioned performances. There is one adult jazz ensemble and four youth jazz ensembles. The kamoinge string ensemble, which is composed of private lesson students, prepares selections to perform at community events. Our early childhood music program serves students 0-6 with their caregivers. Caregivers and children participate in weekly music group activities that support brain development and school readiness. In 2024, walker west served 104 participants in its early childhood music programs at three locations. Over the summer, walker west opens its space to summer camps and serves an additional 80 students. Walker west provides music programs to older adults through two key programs, the amazing grace chorus and singspiration. In 2024, these programs had 73 participants.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 21.8%; rating input score 22
• Program expense ratio: 70%; rating input score 70
• Fundraising efficiency: $59.77 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 79; 79th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 62nd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: Limited
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: 100%; rating input score 100; 72nd percentile among comparable filings
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 66th percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 7 of 8 controls in place; rating input score 88
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Fail
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 71%; rating input score 97; 97th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 4.79; rating input score 84; 84th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.03; rating input score 88; 88th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 4.9%; rating input score 51; 51st percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 27.6% per year; rating input score 100; 94th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 54.3% per year; rating input score 100; 99th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 64.7% per year; rating input score 100; 99th percentile among comparable filings