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Evanston Symphony Orchestra Association

EIN 36-6108588 · Evanston, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong97 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROMOTE AND PROVIDE EDUCATION AND APPRECIATION IN THE FIELD OF MUSIC, THEREBY CONTRIBUTING TO THE CULTURAL LIFE OF THE EVANSTON COMMUNITY, AND TO PROVIDE AN OUTLET FOR THE MUSICAL TALENTS OF PEOPLE WHO RESIDE IN THE AREA.

Income
$327,295
Spending
$305,499
Spent on programs
80%
Reserves
15.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 47%
Employees
0
Volunteers
100

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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 88% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 15.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 8% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 7% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 11% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    80% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 19 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: 97 out of 100. Higher than 91% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    16 of 16 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

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Independent check of accounts

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • 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 (5)
  1. $181,617 spent. Regular Concerts: The Evanston Symphony Orchestra performs four subscription concerts a year. Orchestra musicians all volunteer their time. We pay our music director and our concertmaster. Soloists include nationally and internationally recognized artists. Ticket prices are kept low to ensure accessibility. Children 12 and under are admitted free. The Orchestra gives free pre-concert lectures in Evanston on the Friday preceding each concert, and provides appropriate program booklets to both adults and children (KidNotes, HighNotes, and large print) at all concerts.
  2. $36,802 spent. Holiday Concert: The Evanston Symphony Orchestra performs one holiday pops concert. This seasonal extravaganza is a popular tradition in the area and is recognized as a way for the whole community to celebrate the holidays. The ESO partners with other recognized diverse music and dance organizations to create a concert event which is also the largest indoor performance event in the Chicago North Shore area.
  3. $17,001 spent. Summer Concert: The Evanston Symphony Orchestra performs one summer concert, which was in August 2024. The concert is free to attend.
  4. $9,250 spent. Outreach for Pre-schoolers and Their Families: The Evanston Symphony Orchestra brings a series of music education classes which are free to underserved and low income pre-schoolers and their families in the Head Start and Pre-K programs in Evanston. This program also includes classes for Early Head Start children and a free Young Persons Concert which allows middle school musicians to play side-by-side with the ESO.
  5. Outreach for Pre-schoolers and Their Families: The Evanston Symphony Orchestra brings a series of music education classes 9250. 0. 0.

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 May 1963.

    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.

  7. Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.

    A much larger organization has a similar name: San Diego Symphony Orchestra Association (San Diego, CA), EIN 95-2040874. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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.