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Harrisburg Symphony Association

EIN 23-1355180 · Harrisburg, PA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood74 out of 100GovernanceStrong93 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PRESENT INSPIRING SYMPHONIC PERFORMANCES BY ITS ORCHESTRA AND ALSO PROVIDES EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR AUDIENCES OF ALL AGES, BOTH OF WHICH FOSTER AN APPRECIATION FOR AND KNOWLEDGE OF MUSIC, THEREBY ENRICHING THE CULTURAL LIFE OF CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA.

Income
$3.2 million
Spending
$3.6 million
Spent on programs
81%
Reserves
12.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 51%
Employees
248
Volunteers
100
Highest pay
$267,741, music 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

Good: 74 out of 100. Higher than 52% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 12.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 7% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 10% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 27% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    81% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 20 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: 93 out of 100. Higher than 56% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    24 of 24 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • 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. $2.9 million spent. HARRISBURG SYMPHONY PRODUCED 29 PUBLIC CONCERTS OF ORCHESTRAL MUSIC: 14 AS PART OF THE MASTERWORKS SERIES, 10 POPS, AND THREE PATRIOTIC CONCERTS PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE AT FIVE LOCATIONS IN CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA AROUND THE 4TH OF JULY. THESE PROGRAMS WERE HEARD BY APPROXIMATELY 26,000 PEOPLE COMBINED.THE HARRISBURG SYMPHONY YOUTH ORCHESTRA BOASTS THREE ENSEMBLES COMPRISED OF NEARLY 200 STUDENTS FROM 25 SCHOOL DISTRICTS. THEY EACH PERFORM THREE TO FOUR PUBLIC CONCERTS IN A SEASON. THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT PROVIDES FOUR FREE YOUNG PERSONS' CONCERTS FOR NEARLY 4000 STUDENTS, MASTERCLASSES IN SCHOOLS BY HSO MUSICIANS AND GUEST CONCERT ARTISTS, AND A REDUCED-PRICE FAMILY SUBSCRIPTION PROGRAM FOR THE HSO'S MASTERWORKS CONCERTS CALLED MUSICAL CHAIRS THAT CURRENTLY BOASTS 134 SUBSCRIBERS.

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 November 6, 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 1960.

    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 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.