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Erie Philharmonic

EIN 25-6065898 · Erie, PA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood71 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The mission of the Erie Philharmonic is to strengthen our community and region by providing high quality live orchestra concerts and programs that enrich, entertain and educate people of all ages.

Income
$3.7 million
Spending
$3.3 million
Spent on programs
77%
Reserves
1.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 51%
Employees
247
Volunteers
300
Highest pay
$136,110, 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: 71 out of 100. Higher than 49% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 15% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 11% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 29% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    77% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 14 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.

  • 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 (3)
  1. $188,960 spent. Community Programs - The Erie Philharmonic offers the community opportunities to experience orchestral music at no cost through key community initiatives, including the In Your Hometown summer music series. During the summer, various orchestra emsembles present musical performances in community parks throughout the region, delighting attendees of all ages and expanding access to live music. In addition, the Erie Philharmonic Chorus is a volunteer community chorus that provides its members a structured space to share and develop a love of music through vocal performance opportunities. These initiatives, along with other community engagement activities, are integral to the organizations mission.
  2. $268,117 spent. Education Programs - The Philharmonics educational programs include, but are not limited to, the Erie Junior Philharmonic orchestra, three choral student ensembles, free private music lessons, preschool residency programs, instrumental petting zoos, a summer music camp, a piano relocation program aimed at re-homing well-loved pianos into the homes of students learning the instrument, masterclasses with professional musicians, and in-school meet-and-greet opportunities with guest artists and orchestra members. The organization also presents three live concert perfomances geared for elementary aged children, with associated curriculum, distributed to approximately 5,000 students in the region.
  3. $2.1 million spent. Ticketed Perfomances and Fee Engagements - The Erie Philharmonic performs its mainstage ten concert season at the iconic Warner Theatre in downtown Erie. The orchestra is the bedrock of a robust local arts community, presenting high quality, creative concert programs to sellout and near sellout audiences on a regular basis. Community and private organizations also turn to the Philharmonic for private performances thereby recognizing the top-notch musical talent of the orchestra.

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 April 1948.

    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.