Experimental Sound Studio

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Financial Vulnerability Assessment (Tuckman-Chang)

4 risk indicators measuring financial stability and operational resilience

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Financial Trends

Organization Details

Formation Year

1986

Legal Domicile

Principal Officer

Carrie Cooper

Phone

7739981069

Tax Period

2025-01-01 to 2025-12-31

Experimental Sound Studio, founded in 1986, is a small nonprofit in the Arts, Culture & Humanities sector that reported $907K in total revenue in fiscal year 2025. Revenue surged 21% from the prior year, signaling strong growth momentum. Expenses of $839K left a modest 7% surplus.

Mission

ESS IS A NON-PROFIT, ARTIST-RUN ORGANIZATION FOCUSED ON SOUND IN ALL ITS EXPLORATORY CULTURAL MANIFESTATIONS, INCLUDING MUSIC, SOUND ART,INSTALLATION, CINEMA, PERFORMING ARTS, SOUND POETRY, BROADCAST, NEW MEDIA, AND MORE. IT IS OUR MISSION TO SERVE THE ARTISTS ENGAGED IN THESE DISCIPLINES, THE AUDIENCES WHO LISTEN TO THEM, AND THE PUBLIC WHO MAY AS YET BE UNAWARE OF SOUND'S MANY CREATIVE DIMENSIONS. OUR APPROACH INTEGRATES PRODUCTION, PRESENTATION, EDUCATION, AND PRESERVATION, OFTEN IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS, CONSTITUENCIES, ARTISTS, AND INDIVIDUALS.

Program Service Accomplishments

Program 1

Expenses: $770,904 Revenue: $111,443

ESS PRESENTS ECLECTIC PERFORMANCE AND INSTALLATION PROGRAMMING, AROUND THE STUDIO AND AT VARIOUS PARTNER VENUES AROUND CHICAGO.

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Trantor Score

Financial Health Score (300–850) · Liquidity · Solvency · Sustainability · Efficiency

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Liquidity (40%) • Solvency (30%) • Sustainability (20%) • Efficiency (10%)

Financial Overview (2025)

Revenue Breakdown

Contributions & Grants $795,544

Program Service Revenue $111,443

Investment Income $12

Other Revenue $0

TOTAL REVENUE $906,999

Expense Breakdown

Grants Paid $0

Salaries & Benefits $256,435

Fundraising Expenses $14,838

Program Expenses $770,904

Other Expenses $582,781

TOTAL EXPENSES $839,216

Year-over-Year Comparison

	2025	2024	Change
Revenue	$906,999	$748,381	+0.2%
Expenses	$839,216	$838,302	+0.0%
Net Income	$67,783	$-89,921	-1.8%

Key Indicators

✗ Grants to Organizations ✗ Grants to Individuals ✗ Lobbying ✗ Political Activity ✗ Foreign Activities ✗ Donor Advised Fund ✓ Schedule B Required

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Financial Health Indicators

Comprehensive financial analysis: Altman Z-Score, liquidity, solvency, sustainability, efficiency, and growth metrics

Financial Distress Indicator

Liquidity & Cash Position

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Altman Z-Score • Liquidity Ratios • Solvency Analysis • Growth Indicators • Efficiency Metrics

Governance

Voting Members

Independent Members

Employees

Volunteers

Governance Policies

✗ Conflict of Interest Policy

✗ Whistleblower Policy

✗ Document Retention Policy

Special Practices & Reported Activities

✗ Operated a School

✗ Operated a Hospital

✗ Provided First Class Travel

✗ Reported Conflict of Interest

✗ Reported Asset Diversion

✗ Excess Benefit Transaction

✗ Made Political Expenditures

✗ Engaged in Lobbying

✗ Operated Donor Advised Fund

✗ Maintained Art Collections

✗ Filed Form 720

Compensation of Officers, Directors & Key Employees

Total Officers

$50,015

Total Directors

Key Employees

Highest Compensated

reported

Name	Title	Hours/Week	Role	Reportable Comp	Other Comp	Total
Adam Vida	Managing Dir.	40.00	Officer	$50,015	$0	$50,015
Darin Walsh	President	1.00	Officer Director	$0	$0	$0
Kim Alpert	Secretary	1.00	Officer Director	$0	$0	$0
Liz Pensel	Treasurer	1.00	Officer Director	$0	$0	$0
Carrie Cooper	Director	1.00	Director	$0	$0	$0
Drew Roulo	Director	1.00	Director	$0	$0	$0
Lou Mallozzi	Director	1.00	Director	$0	$0	$0
Daniel Quiles	Director	1.00	Director	$0	$0	$0
Mark Daiz	Director	1.00	Director	$0	$0	$0

Note: Compensation data is self-reported by the organization on their Form 990. "Reportable Comp" includes salary, bonuses, and other reportable compensation from the organization and related organizations. "Other Comp" includes benefits, deferred compensation, and non-taxable benefits.

Historical Data

Year	Revenue	Expenses	Assets	Net Income
2025	$906,999	$839,216	$968,967	$67,783
2024	No data	No data	No data	No data
2023	$1,106,523	$667,155	$996,809	$439,368
2022	$375,368	$372,441	$543,318	$2,927
2021	$627,430	$407,699	$531,891	$219,731
2020	$474,495	$330,166	$306,013	$144,329
2019	$353,286	$259,615	$124,929	$93,671
2018	$273,433	$287,088	$119,421	$-13,655