Columbus Symphony Orchestra Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE MISSION OF THE COLUMBUS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA IS TO PROVIDE SYMPHONIC MUSIC AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS OF THE HIGHEST QUALITY, TO ENGENDER PASSION AND EXCITEMENT IN OUR DIVERSE AUDIENCES. THIS IS PAIRED WITH OUR EDUCATIONAL MISSION: TO EDUCATE AND ENTERTAIN PEOPLE OF ALL AGES TO FOSTER TALENT, CREATE FUTURE AUDIENCES, NURTURE INTELLECTUAL DEVELOPMENT AND SPARK CREATIVITY.
- Income
- $13.0 million
- Spending
- $11.8 million
- Spent on programs
- 73%
- Reserves
- 8.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 62%
- Employees
- 240
- Volunteers
- 393
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 78 out of 100. Higher than 53% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 8.5 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 1% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 9% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 64% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1573% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 34% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2528 of 28 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 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 (4)
- $4.4 million spent. 2024-25 INDOOR CONCERTS INCLUDED THE MASTERWORKS SERIES, WITH 12 PROGRAMS (24 PERFORMANCES), AND A SERIES OF SPECIAL POPS CONCERTS (5 PROGRAMS/7 PERFORMANCES), WHICH INCLUDED THE HOLIDAY POPS SPECTACULAR AND A PROGRAM FEATURING THE ORCHESTRA PERFORMING THE SCORE LIVE ALONG WITH SCREENING OF BATMAN 1989. TOTAL ATTENDANCE FOR CONCERTS IN THESE SERIES WAS 48,158.
- $2.5 million spent. THE 2025 PICNIC WITH THE POPS AND POPCORN POPS OUTDOOR CONCERT SERIES IN THE COLUMBUS COMMONS INCLUDED NINE (9) CONCERT PROGRAMS, WHICH WERE ATTENDED BY 17,769 INDIVIDUALS.
- $684,925 spent. CSO EDUCATION PROGRAMS IN THE 2024 TO 2025 SEASON INCLUDE A BROAD RANGE OF OFFERINGS DESIGNED TO SERVE STUDENTS, EDUCATORS, AND LIFELONG LEARNERS. CLASSROOM PROGRAMS INCLUDE YOUNG PEOPLE'S CONCERTS, IN SCHOOL CONCERTS, THE MINDFUL MUSIC MOMENTS PROGRAM, ENSEMBLE COACHING, CHAMBER PERFORMANCES, AND AN IN SCHOOL RESIDENCY PROGRAM.CSO ALSO SUPPORTS FOUR YOUTH ENSEMBLES, YOUTH ORCHESTRA, REPERTORY ORCHESTRA, CHAMBER STRINGS, AND JUNIOR STRINGS, AS WELL AS A YOUTH ORCHESTRA EUROPEAN TOUR. THE ACADEMY PROVIDES INTENSIVE TRAINING FOR STUDENTS OF DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS WHO ASPIRE TO PURSUE CAREERS IN MUSIC.FOR ADULT LEARNERS, FANTASY CAMP OFFERS A DAY-LONG IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE FOR AMATEUR MUSICIANS TO LEARN ALONGSIDE SYMPHONY PROFESSIONALS. IN ADDITION, CSO PLANS TO RELAUNCH ITS EDUCATIONAL WEBSITE FOR CHILDREN IN AUGUST.IN TOTAL, CSO EDUCATION PROGRAMS ARE PROJECTED TO SERVE MORE THAN 50,000 INDIVIDUALS DURING THE 2024 TO 2025 SEASON.
- $1.0 million spent. AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT SERIES (COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, ETC.); SPECIAL EVENTS AND CONTRACTED MUSICIAN PERFORMANCES.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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.
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.
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.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending August 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since August 1952.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.