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Longwood Symphony Orchestra Inc

EIN 04-2921296 · West Newton, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair68 out of 100GovernanceStrong92 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF LONGWOOD SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, THE ORCHESTRA OF BOSTON'S MEDICAL COMMUNITY, IS TO PERFORM CONCERTS OF MUSICAL DIVERSITY AND EXCELLENCE, WHILE SUPPORTING HEALTH-RELATED NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS THROUGH PUBLIC PERFORMANCES.

Income
$202,894
Spending
$257,186
Spent on programs
72%
Reserves
11.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 90%
Employees
2
Volunteers
110
Highest pay
$35,100, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 68 out of 100. Higher than 39% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 11.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 27% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 11% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    72% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 12 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 92 out of 100. Higher than 89% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

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

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 (1)
  1. $184,933 spent. THE LONGWOOD SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA (THE "LSO"), THE ORCHESTRA OF BOSTON'S HEALTHCARE COMMUNITY, PERFORMS CONCERTS FOR THE PURPOSE OF COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND FUNDRAISING FOR HEALTH-RELATED NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS. THE LSO'S "HEALING ART OF MUSIC" PROGRAM HAS RAISED MONEY FOR WORTHY CAUSES AND HAS BEEN NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED WITH THE LEAGUE OF AMERICAN ORCHESTRAS' METLIFE AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND THE HIGHEST CULTURAL RECOGNITION IN MASSACHUSETTS, THE COMMONWEALTH AWARD. THIS YEAR, THE LSO PERFORMED FOUR CONCERTS AT NEW ENGLAND CONSERVATORY'S JORDAN HALL, EACH BENEFITTING A DIFFERENT NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION, AND ONE SUMMER CONCERT AT THE HATCH MEMORIAL SHELL ON THE CHARLES RIVER ESPLANADE.OFF STAGE, THE LSO CURATES "LSO ON CALL", A COMMUNITY OUTREACH INITIATIVE THAT BRINGS FREE CHAMBER MUSIC DIRECTLY TO PATIENTS ACROSS MASSACHUSETTS IN HOSPITAL WARDS, REHABILITATION CENTERS, AND HEALTH CARE FACILITIES. THIS INCLUDES RECENT PERFORMANCES AT BOSTON CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL, BETH ISRAEL DEACONESS MEDICAL CENTER, AND BRIGHAM AND WOMEN'S HOSPITAL.THROUGH ITS "COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS" PROGRAM, THE ORCHESTRA PROMOTES COMMUNITY-WIDE DIALOGUE AMONG TODAY'S EXPERTS IN THE ARTS AND SCIENCES ON THE INTERSECTION OF MUSIC AND HEALTH. THROUGH THIS PROGRAMMING, THE LSO PROMOTES THE POSITIVE EFFECTS OF MUSIC AND THE ARTS ON COMMUNITY AND INDIVIDUAL HEALTH.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.

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

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

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since October 1986.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 21, 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.