Rochester Oratorio Society Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The mission of ROS is to produce live choral music of the highest quality, engaging and educating the Rochester, New York community in numerous musical genres, and gratifying our volunteer singers with the professionalism of their art.
- Income
- $197,961
- Spending
- $286,716
- Spent on programs
- 52%
- Reserves
- 9.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 49%
- Employees
- 5
- Volunteers
- 263
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: 56 out of 100. Higher than 25% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 9.1 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 2% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 45% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 29% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1552% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 92% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).
Independent board
25 of 2510 of 10 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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)
- $148,504 spent. The Rochester Oratorio Society, Inc., (est. 1945) presents choral music of the highest quality that engages, challenges, and delights members and audiences alike. From its beginnings as a traditional community chorus, ROS now supports five main endeavors:The 140-voice Symphonic Choir presents 2-4 concerts per season and collaborates with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra. Humanistic, collaborative, often multi-media performances are our new tradition, with an ever-increasing diversity of repertoire, from the 17th-21st centuries and representing across gender and race/ethnicity.(Continued on Schedule O)Resonanz, a 24-voice community outreach ensemble offering educational, entertaining concerts in classrooms, libraries, civic events, corporate events and private parties, and historical programs at venues such as The National Women's Rights Historical Park.Education: after-school instruction for urban youth in partnership with ROCmusic Collaborative, reaching about 40 students per academic year; Choral Scholar and Fellow programs which facilitate participation in our choirs by high school-aged vocalists and university vocal performance interns; 4-10 in-school performances per academic year for RCSD classes and assemblies.Our annual Rochester International Vocal Competition, which fosters the careers of professional vocal performing artists, attracting 236 applicants from 10 countries and 29 US states in 2023. Starting as a local event in 2007, RIVC has grown to become an essential career step for aspiring solo vocalists of international stature. The competition now includes an Emerging Artist prize as well as prizes in the Professional category.Arts Connexions, a new series of concerts exploring the intersection of diverse cultures/ethnicities with classical music. 2-3 performances per season, ticketed events. Every production includes an educational program at a local school or library. The program is primarily supported by contributions.
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
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.
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 November 6, 2026.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since April 1959.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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 November 4, 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.