Nonprofit · EIN 27-0062812
WORDS BEATS AND LIFE INC
Tax-exempt · WASHINGTON, DC 20010
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 31, 2025 | 990 | $1,786,655 | $1,906,245 | -$119,590 | $279,802 | $424,014 | -$144,212 |
| August 31, 2024 | 990 | $2,339,266 | $2,417,037 | -$77,771 | $541,193 | $368,007 | $173,186 |
| August 31, 2023 | 990 | $1,939,183 | $1,826,202 | $112,981 | $433,923 | $124,553 | $309,370 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended August 31, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $1,421,523
- of which government grants
- $669,322
- Program service revenue
- $365,132
- Investment income
- $0
- Other revenue
- $0
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $0
- Other salaries and wages
- $204,703
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $230,069
- Professional fundraising fees
- $15,600
- Accounting fees
- $133,142
- Occupancy
- $58,180
- Travel
- $31,396
- Depreciation
- $16,512
- Program services (functional)
- $1,462,121
- Management and general (functional)
- $392,553
- Fundraising (functional)
- $51,571
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $541,193
- Total assets, end of year
- $279,802
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $424,014
- Net assets, end of year
- -$144,212
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $101,412
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- -$144,212
- Gross receipts
- $1,786,655
- Employees
- 9
- Volunteers
- 90
- Year formed
- 2003
- State of legal domicile
- DC
From the e-filed returns the IRS publishes as XML (latest three processing years; amended returns replace the original). PDF copies at the IRS.
Officers, directors and key employees
As listed on the 990 for the year ended August 31, 2025, highest compensation first.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mazi Mutafa | Executive Director Highest-paid employee | 45 | $88,462 |
| Jamila Sams | Chair Trustee or director, Officer | 3 | $0 |
| Kenysha Bartee | 1st Vice Chair Trustee or director, Officer | 3 | $0 |
| Ptosha Davis | 2nd Vice Chair Trustee or director, Officer | 3 | $0 |
| Naima McIntosh | Secretary Trustee or director, Officer | 3 | $0 |
| Elaine Kennedy | Treasurer Trustee or director, Officer | 3 | $0 |
| Helen Bryant | Member Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| Saafir Rabb | Member Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| Timothy Anne Burnside | Member Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| Erwin Kwawu | Member Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| William Hegwood | Member Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| Tonia Wellons | Member Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| Mark Lawrence | Member Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| Tericke Blanchard | Member Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| Gloria Nauden | Member Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
4 more people on this return
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| John Brothers | Member Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| Knyja Gadson | Member Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| Cherietta Cobb | Member Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| Syreeta Smith | Member Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
990 for the year ended August 31, 2024: 16 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mazi Mutafa | Executive Director Highest-paid employee | 45 | $119,231 |
| Jamila Sams | Chair Trustee or director, Officer | 3 | $0 |
| Kenysha Bartee | 1st Vice Chair Trustee or director, Officer | 3 | $0 |
| Ptosha Davis | 2nd Vice Chair Trustee or director, Officer | 3 | $0 |
| Naima Costello | Secretary Trustee or director, Officer | 3 | $0 |
| Elaine Kennedy | Treasurer Trustee or director, Officer | 3 | $0 |
| Helen Bryant | Member Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| Saafir Rabb | Member Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| Timothy Anne Burnside | Member Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| Erwin Kwawu | Member Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| William Hegwood | Member Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| Tonia Wellons | Member Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| Mark Lawrence | Member Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| Samantha Armstrong | Member Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| Gloria Nauden | Member Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| Dishan De Silva | Member Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
990 for the year ended August 31, 2023: 19 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mazi Mutafa | Executive Director Highest-paid employee | 40 | $110,000 |
| Jamila Sams | Chair Trustee or director, Officer | 3 | $0 |
| Kenysha Bartee | First Vice Chair Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 |
| Ptosha Davis | Second Vice Chair Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 |
| Elaine Kennedy | Treasurer Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 |
| Naima McIntosh | Secretary Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 |
| Folosade Omogun | Member Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| William Hegwood | Member Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| Aja Clark | Member Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| Gloria Nauden | Member Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| Saafir Rabb | Member Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| Mark Lawrence | Member Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| Timothy Anne Burnside | Member Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| Dishan De Silva | Member Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| Helen Bryant | Member Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| Samantha Armstrong | Member Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| David Schwed | Member Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| Fillippo Rossie | Member Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| Landon Jones | Member Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 1525 NEWTON ST NW, WASHINGTON, DC 20010-3103
- In care of
- % MAZI A MUTAFA
- Principal officer (990 for 2024)
- Mazi Mutafa, 1525 Newton Street NW, Washington, DC 20010
- Signed the 990
- Mazi Mutafa, Executive Director
- Phone
- (202) 667-1192
- Website
- www.wblinc.org
- Return prepared by
- Thomas Posey
Mission
The mission of Words Beats and Life is to transform individual lives and communities through Hip-Hop culture in all its forms: emceeing, deejaying, graffiti, street art, spoken word poetry, dance, beat production, and knowledge of self.
Program accomplishments
- Our Arts Education programming exposes students to new knowledge, techniques and methods, as well as provides opportunities to grow their knowledge and network through alternative winter and spring break activities. We also provide opportunities for young artists to practice what we teach through performances, and public art making, as well as encouraging these students to manage their own projects and events by participating in our Arts Management program. Our work in schools has been with young people in Middle School, High School and College, with participants ranging from 12-22. In community contexts, we work with people as young as 10 and with adults 23 and older. Despite popular misunderstandings about our culture, Hip-Hop is likely created, participated in, and celebrated by the most diverse set of people in terms of audiences, practitioners, supporters, and consumers. Our teachers, students, audiences, and selected master artists are diverse not just racially, ethnically, religiously, and economically but also in terms of age, gender, orientation, and ability status. Programs include the WBL Academy, Like a Boss: Arts Management Program, Walk It Like I talk It, Entrepreneurship Program. Finally we have our College and career mentorship program called College Material.Expenses $608,349
- Expenses $208,719
- Expenses $91,789
- Other ProgramsExpenses $553,264
What it must file and when
IRS records say it files Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N. Its accounting year ends in August, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.
| Tax year | Year ended | Due | IRS public records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | August 31, 2026 | January 15, 2027 | Not due yet |
| 2024 | August 31, 2025 | January 15, 2026 | 990 on file |
| 2023 | August 31, 2024 | January 15, 2025 | 990 on file |
IRS record
- EIN
- 27-0062812
- Tax-exempt status
- 501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
- Foundation status
- Publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(A)(vi))
- Donations deductible (Pub 78)
- Public charity, 50% deduction limit
- Exempt since
- 2004
- Accounting year ends
- August
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Arts, culture and humanities (A61)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $279,802
- Income (IRS master file)
- $1,786,655
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | August 2025 | $1,786,655 | $1,906,245 | $279,802 | XML |
| 990 | August 2024 | $2,339,266 | $2,417,037 | $541,193 | XML |
| 990 | August 2023 | $1,939,183 | $1,826,202 | $433,923 | XML |
| 990 | August 2022 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | August 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | August 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | August 2018 | – | – | – | IRS |
990-N: the IRS bulk file holds only the latest e-Postcard per organization; earlier years come from archived copies of that file since 2020 and can have gaps (the IRS e-Postcard search lists every one). 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-T: every e-filed return in the IRS e-file index since 2019; XML for the latest three processing years, amounts from the IRS Statistics of Income extracts before that. PDF copies and determination letters at the IRS (search EIN 27-0062812).
Questions about WORDS BEATS AND LIFE INC
- What is the EIN of WORDS BEATS AND LIFE INC?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of WORDS BEATS AND LIFE INC is 27-0062812.
- Is WORDS BEATS AND LIFE INC tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 2004.
- Are donations to WORDS BEATS AND LIFE INC tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does WORDS BEATS AND LIFE INC file?
- Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N.
- When is the next return of WORDS BEATS AND LIFE INC due?
- The return for tax year 2025 (the year ending August 31, 2026) is due January 15, 2027. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
- When did WORDS BEATS AND LIFE INC last file with the IRS?
- The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended August 2025.
- Who is the principal officer of WORDS BEATS AND LIFE INC?
- The 990 for the year ended August 31, 2025 names Mazi Mutafa.
- Who are the officers and directors of WORDS BEATS AND LIFE INC?
- The 990 for the year ended August 31, 2025 lists 19 people; 1 received compensation from the organization, the highest $88,462 (Mazi Mutafa, Executive Director).
- How much revenue does WORDS BEATS AND LIFE INC have?
- On its 990 for the year ended August 31, 2025 it reported revenue of $1,786,655, expenses of $1,906,245 and total assets of $279,802 at year end.
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