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South Bend Symphony Orchestra Association Inc

EIN 35-6042189 · South Bend, IN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair69 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WE INSPIRE, ENTERTAIN, AND CONNECT PEOPLE WITH THE TRANSFORMATIVE POWER OF ORCHESTRAL MUSIC. AS MICHIANA'S PREMIERE PROFESSIONAL ORCHESTRA, THE SOUTH BEND SYMPHONY ENGAGES THE COMMUNITY IN THE EXPLORATION OF ORCHESTRAL MUSIC IN ALL ITS FORMS.

Income
$2.6 million
Spending
$2.6 million
Spent on programs
63%
Reserves
10.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 54%
Employees
232
Volunteers
38
Highest pay
$142,142, executive di

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

Fair: 69 out of 100. Higher than 45% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 10.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 10% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    63% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 20 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

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 49% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    20 of 22 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a 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

    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 (1)
  1. $1.6 million spent. IN FISCAL YEAR 2025, THE SOUTH BEND SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA REACHED NEW HEIGHTS, WITH ONE OF THE MOST WELL-ATTENDED SEASONS IN ITS HISTORY, ISSUING ALMOST 26,000 TICKETS. THE SYMPHONY PERFORMED IN A PRODUCTION OF THE NUTCRACKER, HIGHLIGHTING THE COMMUNITY'S GROWING CULTURAL ENGAGEMENT. KEY EVENTS INCLUDED NATHAN GUNN SINGS BROADWAY AND A PERFORMANCE OF COPELAND'S APPALACHIAN SPRING + SILK ROAD. THE SYMPHONY'S EDUCATIONAL EFFORTS CONNECTED WITH OVER 5,600 STUDENTS ATTENDING YOUTH DISCOVERY CONCERTS, AND THE THIRD DIA DE LOS MUERTOS CELEBRATION DREW 1,500 ATTENDEES. PARTNERSHIPS WITH LOCAL ARTS ORGANIZATIONS FURTHER ENHANCED THE SYMPHONY'S MISSION TO INSPIRE, ENTERTAIN, AND CONNECT PEOPLE WITH THE TRANSFORMATIVE POWER OF ORCHESTRAL MUSIC.

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 November 1950.

    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.