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Friends of the Minnesota Sinfonia

EIN 41-1649587 · Minneapolis, MN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood70 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF THE MINNESOTA SINFONIA IS TO SERVE THE MUSICAL AND EDUCATIONAL NEEDS OF THE CITIZENS OF MINNESOTA, WITH PRIMARY EMPHASIS GIVEN TO FAMILIES WITH YOUNG CHILDREN, INNER-CITY YOUTH, SENIORS AND THOSE WITH LIMITED INCOMES.

Income
$218,435
Spending
$371,365
Spent on programs
96%
Reserves
12.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 93%
Employees
1
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$50,704, artistic/executive directo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 43% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 12.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 70% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 33% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    96% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 92% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, 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. $355,983 spent. SEE SCHEDULE O.WINTER AND SUMMER CONCERT SERIES THE WINTER AND SUMMER CONCERT SERIES FEATURING WORKS FROM THE POPULAR ORCHESTRA REPERTOIRE, NEW COMPOSITIONS BY MINNESOTA-BASED COMPOSERS, AND SHOWCASING INTERNATIONAL AWARD-WINNING SOLOISTS. HOLIDAY AND SUMMER FAMILY COMMUNITY CONCERTS COMMUNITY CONCERTS FEATURING LIGHTER FARE ARE PERFORMED THROUGHOUT THE TWIN CITIES METRO AREA AND ARE DESIGNED TO INTRODUCE THE PUBLIC TO QUALITY LIVE ORCHESTRA PERFORMANCES. PROGRAMS FOR TALENTED YOUNG MUSICIANS INCLUDES A YOUNG ARTIST COMPETITION, YOUTH OUTREACH WEEK, AND YOUNG COMPOSERS' CONTEST ALL TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR REGION'S TALENTED YOUNG MUSICIANS. MUSIC IN THE SCHOOLS MUSIC IN THE SCHOOLS (MIS) IS A CURRICULUM-BASED K- 8 EDUCATION PROGRAM DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY FOR AT-RISK, INNER-CITY STUDENTS. CREATED USING STATE ACADEMIC STANDARDS, MIS USES GREAT ORCHESTRAL MUSIC AS A CATALYST TO ENGAGE STUDENTS IN THEIR ONGOING STUDIES OF CORE ACADEMICS. TOURING - THE SINFONIA TAKES THE FULL SINFONIA ORCHESTRA TO OUTSTATE MINNESOTA COMMUNITIES PROVIDING CONCERTS, ARTS EDUCATION, AND OUTREACH TO COMMUNITIES THAT GENERALLY DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO QUALITY LIVE PROFESSIONAL ARTS EXPERIENCES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, 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 September 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 1994.

    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.