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Bryan Symphony Orchestra

EIN 23-7408038 · Cookeville, TN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood88 out of 100GovernanceWeak46 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The Bryan Symphony Orchestra's mission is to engage, educate, and enrich our community through the performance of live music.

Income
$267,939
Spending
$193,211
Spent on programs
60%
Reserves
23.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 55%
Employees
4
Highest pay
$7,577, 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

Good: 88 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 23.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 28% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 1% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    60% 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

Weak: 46 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    18 of 18 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.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 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 (4)
  1. $68,978 spent. To provide an orchestra of the highest artistic standards, to perform regularly a broad range of repertoire for a wide and diverse audience. To serve as a leader in the community cultural life of the Upper Cumberland area of Tennessee. And to provide quality experiences for all ages.
  2. $18,600 spent. This is an annual community event that is held at Dogwood Park. Patrons of the symphony underwrite the majority of the expenses with an endowment which was set up about a decade ago to be used for expenses for this event. For this event, the orchestra puton a free concert where attendees could watch in the park. Artists were invited to set up booths where they could display and sell their art. The estimated number of attendees is 2,500-3,000 individuals. We received a $5,500 Tennessee Arts Commission grant for this event.
  3. $14,592 spent. This is the first subscription concert of our fiscal year. We welcome patrons in for an orchestra concert where they pay for their concert tickets. This year, we hosted the Summit Piano Trio who performed a solo with the orchestra. We pay our musicians, the guest artists, and our conductor, and we supply breakfast and lunch for our musicians, and lodging for our guest musicians. After the concert, we provide beverages and snacks for patrons and musiciansto mingle.
  4. $12,982 spent. Annually for the past 15+ years, the Bryan Symphony hosts thousands of 4th-grade students for multiple education concerts. This year, we welcomed 2,300 students and put on three different concerts. All expenses are paid for students, including free attendance, transportation, and a pre-created education packet for teachers. Musicians are paid for their performances, and we often receive some form of grant funds to put on this program.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since October 1987.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 2026.

  7. Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.

    A much larger organization has a similar name: Boston Symphony Orchestra Inc (Boston, MA), EIN 04-2103550. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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.