The Harmony Project

“Process the organization uses to review the Form 990 The finance committee reviews the Form 990 prior to submission. After the review process, the committee makes a recommendation to the full board of directors to either approve filing the Form 990, or to remand the document back to the accountant for necessary changes.”

“Process of monitoring and enforcing compliance with conflict of interest policy Harmony Project board members are required to review and sign a conflict of interest statement annually. At the annual review, the board members are reminded to disclose any potential conflicts of interest, whether financial, or through support of another organization whose mission is counter to Harmony Projects mission. Resolution of a potential conflict of interest may be as simple as expecting a board member to leave the room for certain discussions and voting, or in extreme cases requiring the board member to resign. Harmony Projects conflict of interest policy is enforced for key employees, as well as for board members.”

“How the organization makes its governing documents, conflict of interest policy, and financial statements available Harmony Project posts its Form 990 and conflict of interest policy on the world wide web through Guide Star, a watchdog organization dedicated to creating transparency for U.S. based non profit organizations. The organization also posts audited financial statements and the Form 990 for public viewing on its website at www.harmony-project.org under the About tab.The organizations Form 990 and founding documents can be located on the State of California Registry of Charitable Trusts search engine at rct.doj.ca.gov as well.”

“Program Contraction Due to COVID Pandemic The organizations revenue declined significantly for two years, from the Fiscal Year Ended June 2019 through the Fiscal Year Ended June 2021, because the organization was forced to immediately discontinue all in-person instruction for the safety of our students. The organization has responded with a robust virtual program for music training for our students, but nothing can substitute for in-person interaction when playing music. Our students are mainly from low income families and thus are at higher risk from the pandemic.The pandemic has compounded these risk factors many times over, and the organization is working hard to provide as much care and stability to our students as possible during these difficult times.”