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West Suburban Symphony Society

EIN 36-3776307 · Hinsdale, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood86 out of 100GovernanceNot ratedThe short tax form does not cover thisImpact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Provide symphonic, chamber and choral concerts to audiences in the west suburbs of Chicago.

Income
$125,000
Spending
$123,295
Reserves
7.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 46%

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 86 out of 100. Higher than 70% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 7.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.

Source: Form 990EZ 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 (2)
  1. Program Service Accomplishments: The Society's musical groups presented 6 public concerts during the period July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025. Those concerts were as follows: On 8-3-2024: Cinema Classics, outdoors at Cantigny Park, Wheaton, audience of 1000. On 10-26-204, Illusions, at Wentz Concert Hall, Naperville, audience of 147. On 12-8-2024, Merry, at Hinsdale Central High School, audience of 594. On 3-8-2025, Ode to Joy, at Wentz Concert Hall, Naperville, audience of 500. On 5-4-2025. May the Fourth (and the Force) Be with Us All, Hinsdale Central High School, audience of 567. On 6-22-2025, Legendary Opera, at Wentz Concert Hall, Naperville, audience of 350.
  2. Our two youth outreach activities during the period July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025, were as follows:On 11-6-2024, 2024, we presented a school-day educational concert for children, attended by field-trip groups from public and private schools, at Christ Church, Oak Brook; the concert drew an audience of 971 elementary and middle-school students.In early 2025, we held auditions for high school musicians seeking the opportunity to win a $500 prize and perform in concert with the orchestra. The winner, a cellist from Evanston, performed at our 6-22-2025 concert.

Source: Form 990EZ 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 March 1993.

    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.

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.