Indiana Symphony Society Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra inspires and unites our community through our music.
- Income
- $31.9 million
- Spending
- $27.7 million
- Spent on programs
- 85%
- Reserves
- -1.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 70%
- Employees
- 527
- Volunteers
- 127
- Highest pay
- $303,907, pops conductor
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
Fair: 50 out of 100. Higher than 16% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
5 of 20It owes 63% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 13% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 37% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1584% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 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 2531 of 31 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.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
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 (1)
- $23.4 million spent. THE INDIANAPOLIS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA IS THE LARGEST PERFORMING ARTS ORGANIZATION IN THE STATE OF INDIANA, PERFORMING A YEAR-ROUND SCHEDULE OF CONCERTS AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS. EACH SEASON, THE INDIANAPOLIS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA PRESENTS A WIDE REPERTOIRE OF ORCHESTRAL MUSIC, INCLUDING COMMISSIONS OF NEW MUSIC, BOTH CLASSICAL AND POPS. CONCERTS INCLUDE PROGRAMS OF CLASSICAL MUSIC, SYMPHONIC POPS PERFORMANCES, FAMILY ORIENTED PROGRAMS, HOLIDAY PROGRAMS, UNCHARTED, THE OUTDOOR SUMMER SERIES AND MANY MORE. THE INDIANAPOLIS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA IS DEDICATED TO LEADING THE FIELD IN MUSIC EDUCATION. SYMPHONY MUSICIANS AND STAFF CREATE PIONEERING LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PARTICIPANTS THROUGHOUT THE STATE THROUGH A VARIETY OF PROJECTS WHICH IMPACT STUDENTS AND ADULTS IN THE INDIANAPOLIS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA'S LEARNING COMMUNITY. THE METROPOLITAN YOUTH ORCHESTRA WHICH IS A YOUTH AND FAMILY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM OF THE LEARNING COMMUNITY USES THE LIFE SKILLS LEARNED IN MUSIC INSTRUCTION TO ENGAGE YOUTH IN ACTIVITIES THAT DISCOURAGE AT-RISK BEHAVIORS AND KEEP THEM COMMITTED TO STAYING IN SCHOOL. THE HISTORIC HILBERT CIRCLE THEATRE ON MONUMENT CIRCLE IN DOWNTOWN INDIANAPOLIS IS HOME TO THE INDIANAPOLIS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA AND IS OWNED BY THE ORANGIZATION'S FOUNDATION. OUTSIDE THE THEATRE, THE INDIANAPOLIS SYMPHONY CAN BE HEARD LIVE IN SEVERAL INDIANA COMMUNITIES. AS A LEADING MEMBER OF THE ARTS COMMUNITY IN INDIANAPOLIS, THE INDIANAPOLIS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA COLLABORATES ON A REGULAR BASIS WITH OTHER ARTS COMPANIES INCLUDING DANCE KALEIDOSCOPE, THE INTERNATIONAL VIOLIN COMPETITION OF INDIANAPOLIS, AND THE AMERICAN PIANISTS ASSOCIATION.
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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since September 1998.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.