irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $90KSCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED TO PROMISING YOUNG SONGWRITERS
named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Annual Induction and Awards Dinner
Honors legendary songwriters with induction into the Hall of Fame and presents special awards such as the Johnny Mercer Award and Hal David Starlight Award.
Digital Museum
Online platform showcasing the work and legacies of inducted songwriters, serving as a resource for researchers and music professionals.
Master Sessions and Craft Forums
Educational programs designed to develop the skills of aspiring songwriters through workshops and industry expert engagement.
Scholarships for Young Songwriters
Provides financial support and recognition to promising emerging songwriters as part of the organization's educational mission.
activities · 6 groups
What they do
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Music Awards and Honors Programs 2 activities
- Inducts songwriters into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and hosts annual awards galaHosts an annual Induction and Awards Dinner to honor and celebrate distinguished songwriters, inducting individuals or duos based on member voting. The 2026 event inducted seven songwriters and took place at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City.
- Presents awards to honor songwriting excellence and emerging talentAwards the Johnny Mercer Award, Hal David Starlight Award, and Howie Richmond Hitmaker Award to recognize lifetime achievement, rising stars, and significant contributions to songwriting. In 2026, John Fogerty received the Johnny Mercer Award and RAYE (Rachel Keen) received the Hal David Starlight Award.
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Membership Program Administration 1 activity
- Engages members through voting, publications, and communicationsProvides members with annual voting rights for Hall of Fame inductees, includes them in the printed journal distributed at the gala, and subscribes them to email newsletters and eblasts with updates on SHOF news, initiatives, and events.
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Archival Digitization and Preservation 1 activity
- Maintains a digital archive and online museum of inducted songwritersOperates an award-winning online museum and digital archive containing over 250,000 records and 10,000 pages of content, including biographies, discographies, audio clips, and photo galleries of Hall of Fame inductees.
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Music Education and Training Programs 1 activity
- Provides educational programming and mentorship for aspiring songwritersOffers the Master Sessions series and other educational events that connect young songwriters with industry professionals through workshops, feedback sessions, and mentorship opportunities. These include in-person events at schools and virtual programs featuring Oscar-nominated songwriters.
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Arts Education Scholarships 1 activity
- Supports emerging songwriters through scholarshipsAdministers and awards multiple annual scholarships to young and undergraduate songwriters, including the Abe Olman Scholarship, Belmont University Songwriting Scholarship, NYU Steinhardt Songwriting Scholar Award, USC Thornton Scholar Award, Curtis Mayfield Scholarship, Bill Withers Scholarship, John Titta Scholarship, Mac Davis "Song Painter" Scholarship, Songwriters of Tomorrow Scholarship, and The Holly Prize, to support artistic development and promise.
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Uncategorized 2 activities
- Co-produces public events and exhibitions with the GRAMMY MuseumCo-sponsors public programs such as the "Legends-In-The-Round and ChartTopper" series, special movie screenings with panel discussions, and co-developed the "Tower of Song" exhibition to explore the art and craft of songwriting. Also established the Songwriters Hall of Fame Gallery at the GRAMMY Museum in 2010.
- Streams virtual events featuring Oscar-nominated songwritersHosts an annual virtual event during awards season featuring moderated discussions and film clips with Oscar-nominated songwriters, streamed for free to the public from February 10 to March 3.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$2.01M
Contributions & grants$2.91M145%
Program service revenue$2K0%
Investment income$253K13%
Other revenue$-1.15M
expenses
Total expenses$773K
Program expenses37%
Admin / overhead47%
Fundraising15%
Salaries & benefits$200K
Grants paid out$90K
Largest expense lineProfessional Fees
balance sheet
Total assets$8.86M
Cash$8.43M
Investments$0
Liabilities$825K
Net assets$8.03M
Liquid reserves130.8 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +11.6%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| LINDA MORAN | PRESIDENT/CEO | 55 | $200K |
relationships · 34
Who they work with
- ASCAP Partner — Collaborates with SHOF to select recipients for the Abe Olman Scholarship.
- All-City Modern Music Project Partner — Collaborating organization whose student performers participated in the Spring Master Session.
- BMI Partner — Collaborates with SHOF to select recipients for the Abe Olman Scholarship.
- Belmont University Partner — Co-selects recipients for the Mac Davis "Song Painter" Scholarship and administers the Belmont University Songwriting Scholarship in partnership with SHOF.
- Belmont University's Mike Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business Partner — Hosts events and programs focused on songwriting education.
- Clive Davis Partner — Longtime friend and supporter of the Songwriters Hall of Fame, recognized with the Howie Richmond Hitmaker Award in 2003.
- Digital Media Association Partner — Partnered with the Digital Media Association, which compiled a list of streaming services featuring National Recording Registry playlists.
- GRAMMY Museum Partner — Co-hosts and co-produces public events highlighting contemporary songwriters.
- GRAMMY Museum Partner — Collaborates on co-sponsored events and hosts the Songwriters Hall of Fame Gallery within the museum.
- GRAMMY Museum Partner — Collaborates on exhibits and co-sponsored events including "Tower of Song," "Legends-In-The-Round and ChartTopper" series, and special screenings with panel discussions.
- GRAMMY Museum Foundation, Inc. Partner — Partnered to develop a traveling museum exhibit called the 'Songwriters Hall of Fame Songwriter Experience Museum'.
- Library of Congress Partner — Collaborates with the Library of Congress through the inclusion of SHOF inductees' works in the National Recording Registry.
- Linda Moran Partner — President and CEO of the Songwriters Hall of Fame who led the 2026 induction ceremony.
- Mac Davis Family Funder — Funds and envisions the Mac Davis "Song Painter" Scholarship, administered by SHOF.
- Marriott Marquis Hotel Partner — Host venue for the 2026 Songwriters Hall of Fame Induction and Awards Dinner.
- NPR Partner — Collaborates with NPR, which features selections from the National Recording Registry in its “The Sounds of America” series.
- NYU Steinhardt Partner — Receives SHOF-administered NYU Steinhardt Songwriting Scholar Award for its music composition students.
- Nile Rodgers Partner — Chairman of the Songwriters Hall of Fame and presenter at the 2026 gala.
- Nile Rodgers Partner — SHOF Inductee and Chairman who co-hosts and moderates the annual Oscar-nominated songwriters event.
- Nile Rodgers Partner — SHOF inductee and Chairman who moderates the annual Oscar-nominated songwriters conversation.
- Park Avenue Management Partner — Supported the Spring Master Session by helping bring together talent.
- Paul Williams Partner — SHOF Board Member, inductee, and Johnny Mercer Award honoree who co-moderates the annual Oscar-nominated songwriters conversation.
- Paul Williams Partner — SHOF Inductee and Johnny Mercer Award honoree who co-hosts and moderates the annual Oscar-nominated songwriters event.
- SESAC Partner — Collaborates with SHOF to select recipients for the Abe Olman Scholarship.
- Songmasters Funder — Funds The Holly Prize, which is administered and juried by SHOF.
- Sound Thinking NYC Partner — Collaborating organization whose student performers participated in the Spring Master Session.
- Sponsors Partner — Provides financial support to the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
- Steven Spielberg Partner — Guest inductee presenter at the 2026 gala, inducting Taylor Swift.
- Steven Spielberg Partner — Guest inductor who appeared at the 2026 gala to induct Taylor Swift.
- Stuyvesant High School Partner — Hosts events and programs focused on songwriting education in New York City.
+ 4 more
strategies · 3
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Interactive and Digital Engagement to Deepen Craft Appreciationmethodology: experiential_learningBy using interactive exhibits and digital initiatives, the organization promotes public understanding of songwriting excellence because immersive and accessible content encourages reflection on the artistic and technical qualities of iconic songs.
- Legacy Preservation and Emerging Talent Developmentmethodology: two_generation_approachBy honoring established songwriters and supporting emerging talent, the organization sustains songwriting excellence across generations because recognition inspires future creators and reinforces cultural continuity in American music.
- Mentorship Through Artist Journeys and Public Educationmethodology: peer_powered_learningBy sharing personal artist journeys and hosting live educational events, the organization fosters growth in young songwriters and public appreciation for songwriting as a craft, because authentic storytelling and expert dialogue model creative development and build aspirational pathways.