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Vermont Symphony Orchestra Inc

EIN 03-0222134 · Burlington, VT

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair62 out of 100GovernanceStrong94 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE VERMONT SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA FOSTERS AND ENCOURAGES THE LOVE OF MUSIC THROUGHOUT VERMONT.

Income
$2.6 million
Spending
$2.6 million
Spent on programs
80%
Reserves
-0.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 41%
Employees
150
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$121,146, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 62 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 94% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    80% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 17 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 94 out of 100. Higher than 59% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    16 of 16 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    9 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (3)
  1. $1.9 million spent. FOR FY25: 21 CORE PERFORMANCES STATEWIDE WITH FULL ORCHESTRA INCLUDING VSO AT THE FLYNN/PARAMOUNT, THE SOUND OF MUSIC IN CONCERT, SUMMER FESTIVAL TOUR, AND HOLIDAY POPS, TO WHICH WE ADDED SEVEN CHAMBER ORCHESTRA PERFORMANCES (MADE IN VERMONT, VSO WITH GRACE POTTER, MIDDLEBURY NEW FILMMAKERS FESTIVAL, FARMERS' NIGHT). TOTAL AUDIENCE = 22,061.
  2. $145,320 spent. FOR FY25: 27 STATEWIDE SMALL ENSEMBLE PERFORMANCES INCLUDING JUKEBOX, JUICEBOX, COMMUNITY CONCERTS, FLIGHT TEST AT BETA TECHNOLOGIES, AND BRASS QUINTET. TOTAL AUDIENCE = 3,213.
  3. $62,281 spent. FOR FY25: 34 EDUCATIONAL EVENTS TOOK PLACE STATEWIDE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, INCLUDING MUSICIANS IN SCHOOLS PERFORMANCES, YOUNG COMPOSERS WORKSHOP AND CONCERT, MUSIC-COMP COMPOSER PREMIERES, VYO EMBEDDED MUSICIANS, AND THE MASTERCLEF COMPOSITION COMPETITION. TOTAL ATTENDANCE = 3,741

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending May 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since November 1939.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.