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Blue Ridge Orchestra

EIN 20-2900637 · Asheville, NC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceFair50 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE BLUE RIDGE ORCHESTRA IS COMPRISED OF ACCOMPLISHED AMATEUR, SEMI-PROFESSIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL MUSICIANS WHO VOLUNTEER THEIR TIME IN AN EFFORT TO MAKE ORCHESTRAL MUSIC MORE ACCESSIBLE TO THE COMMUNITY.

Income
$131,331
Spending
$98,087
Spent on programs
56%
Reserves
14.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 50%
Employees
0
Volunteers
40

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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 81% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 14.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 25% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 27% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    56% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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

Fair: 50 out of 100. Higher than 25% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 7 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • 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. THE BLUE RIDGE ORCHESTRA HELD SEVEN PERFORMANCES DURING THE 2024-2025 SEASON. BRO'S VOLUNTEER MUSICIANS AND LOCALLY SELECTED SOLOISTS ENTERTAINED OVER 1,800 PATRONS DURING ITS 25TH ANNIVERSARY SEASON UNDER THE DIRECTION OF MUSIC DIRECTOR DR. EMILY MARIKO ENG. BRO RECEIVED GRANT FUNDING FROM THE GRASSROOTS ARTS PROGRAM SPONSORED BY ARTSAVL, THE NORTH CAROLINA COUNCIL, AND THE BUNCOMBE COUNTY GOVERNMENT. THE BRO ALSO RECEIVED FUNDING FROM THE WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA HURRICANE HELENE RELIEF GRANT. THIS ONE TIME RECOVERY ALLOTMENT WAS PROVIDED BY THE NORTH CAROLINA ARTS COUNCIL, A DIVISION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES. ONE HUNDRED PERCENT OF THE GRANT FUNDING WAS USED TO COVER OPERATIONAL EXPENSES DURING THE 2024-2025 FISCAL YEAR. IN DECEMBER 2024, THE BRO PARTNERED WITH HAYWOOD COMMUNITY COLLEGE. IN EXCHANGE FOR CONCERT FEES, THE BRO HEADLINED THEIR FUNDRAISING EFFORTS. ALL PROCEEDS FROM TICKET SALES BENEFITED HCC STUDENTS WHO WERE IMPACTED BY HURRICANE HELENE THROUGH THE HAYWOOD STRONG SCHOLARSHIP. AFTER HURRICANE HELENE, THE BRO CONTINUED TO HONOR ITS MISSION TO MAKE MUSIC ACCESSIBLE BY MAINTAINING LOW TICKET PRICES. ON JUNE 8TH, 2025, THE BRO JOINED FORCES WITH SOUTHER WILLIAMS VINEYARD IN HENDERSONVILLE, NC. THIS INTIMATE BRO FUNDRAISER INCLUDED A CULTURALLY INSPIRED CONCERT PAIRED WITH GLOBALLY SELECTED WINES.

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 August 2005.

    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.