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The Missouri Symphony

EIN 23-7116524 · Columbia, MO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak25 out of 100GovernanceGood75 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Only 30% of its spending went to programs.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

THE MISSOURI SYMOHONY ENRICHES THE COLUMBIA MISSOURI COMMUNITY THROUGH MUSIC EDUCATION, PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCES AND DIVERSE EXPERIENCES.

Income
$526,957
Spending
$736,854
Spent on programs
31%
Reserves
-2.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 49%
Employees
0

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

Financial health

Weak: 25 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

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

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 44% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 40% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 19% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    30% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

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

Governance

Good: 75 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    19 of 19 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a 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

    10 of 10

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

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 July 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. $123,831 spent. MUSIC EDUCATION - COMPRISED OF YOUTH BAND AND YOUTH ORCHESTRA GROUPS. PROVIDED ORCHESTRAL AND INSTRUMENTAL TRAINING TO STUDENTS WITH WEEKLY REHEARSALS UNDER A DIRECTOR AND COACHES AND PERFORMED FALL, AND SPRING PUBLIC CONCERTS, IN ADDITION TO NUMEROUS FREE CONCERTS AT VARIOUS PUBLIC AND PRIVATE VENUES. ALSO PROVIDED MASTER CLASSES FOR ORCHESTRAL GROUPS WITH PROFESSIONAL GUEST MUSICIANS AND OTHER STUDENT ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES.
  2. $90,750 spent. MUSIC PRODUCTIONS - PRODUCED TICKETED CONCERTS IN THE HOT SUMMER NIGHTS MUSIC FESTIVAL WITH THE MISSOURI SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA AND GUEST MUSICIANS TO LARGE ATTENDANCES. PROVIDED COMPLIMENTARY TICKETS FOR THESE EVENTS TO NUMEROUS NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS. PRODUCED COMMUNITY CONCERTS IN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE VENUES AND FAMILY CONCERTS, WHICH SERVED NUMEROUS PATRONS AT NO CHARGE. PRODUCED A HOLIDAY CONCERT IN DECEMBER WITH MULITPLE PERFORMANCES AND HIGH ATTENDANCE OF PATRONS.
  3. $10,000 spent. MISSOURI SYMPHONY LEAGUE SPONSORS EVENTS THAT PROVIDE THE COMMUNITY WITH EXCITING, UNIQUE OPPORTUNITIES TO HAVE FUN WHILE RAISING FUNDS FOR THE MUSIC AND MUSICIANS. THE LEAGUE PROVIDES SCHOLARSHIPS AND PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG MUSICIANS, AND EXTENDS HOSPITALITY TO THE SYMPHONYS PROFESSIONAL MUSICIANS AND GUEST ARTISTS. THE LEAGUES PIANO STUDENT SHOWCASE IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR PIANO STUDENTS THROUGH GRADE 12 TO AUDITION BEFORE DISTINGUISHED JUDGES. STUDENTS WHO EXCEL AT THE AUDITIONS CAN PERFORM AT THE SHOWCASE PUBLIC CONCERT AT THE HISTORIC MISSOURI THEATRE.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 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 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 July 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 July 1971.

    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.