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Black Hills Symphony Orchestra Society Inc

EIN 46-0347796 · Rapid City, SD

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceGood88 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WE CONNECT OUR COMMUNITY THROUGH MUSIC PERFORMANCE AND EDUCATION

Income
$246,108
Spending
$218,799
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
22 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 49%
Employees
3
Volunteers
175
Highest pay
$33,099, executive director

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 85% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 22.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 6% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 11% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 7% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 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

Good: 88 out of 100. Higher than 83% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 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.

  • 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. $166,012 spent. FIVE SERIES CONCERTS: Black Hills Symphony Orchestra presents a 5-concert season of live orchestral music, including a highly-anticipated and traditionally sold-out New Years Eve performance. We continually strive to keep our season tickets and single concert tickets affordable, offering discounts for active military and veterans and a discount for purchasing a season ticket. Total attendance for 2024-25 was approximately 6,000. Our orchestra offers performance opportunities for adult musicians, including solo and small ensemble performances. We have an Apprentice Player program that gives exceptional young players the chance to be part of the orchestra. They learn preparedness and professionalism. They are held to exacting standards in terms of orchestra etiquette, and they are encouraged to develop as musicians.
  2. $10,794 spent. SYMPHONY SAFARI: Black Hills Symphony Orchestra presents a Symphony Safari concert for all fourth grade students in the Rapid City Area Schools. This free concert introduces students to the sights and sounds of the orchestra while teaching them acceptable behavior in a traditional concert setting. This concert is also meant to give students an insight into the types of instruments that they may choose to play in the next year of school. During one portion, students are selected to join the conductor onstage and conduct the orchestra. The high school students, who play in the orchestra, are available to talk to the younger students and inspire them to make music a part of their lives. 1,750 students attended the Symphony Safari from the Rapid City Area Schools and surrounding area schools. Of that 1,750, almost 600 children are low-income, minority, or both. The orchestra donates their time to put this performance on. We also fund the busing for all the Rapid City Area School children, which is the majority of the children. The schools no longer pay for busing to the concert, and we believe that if we do not pay to have the children bused to the performance, they will not come.
  3. $4,663 spent. MUSIC MEMORY PROGRAM: Music Memory is a Name that Tune style contest for 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders with its own music education cirriculum. Students memorize and learn to recognize famous pieces of classical music, after hearing just a few bars of music. They learn some music theory and devolop an appreciation for classical music, which lasts a lifetime. They prepare all year for the city-wide contest. BH Symphony provides a full live symphony orchestra to play the music for the final competition.
  4. $3,399 spent. YOUNG ARTIST COMPETITION: The Young Artist Competition offers a high level performance opportunity for serious high school-aged musicians. The winner of this concerto competition performs with the Black Hills Symphony during our March concert. We were able to hold the Young Artist Competition with significant COVID-19 protocols.
  5. YOUNG ARTIST COMPETITION: The Young Artist Competition 3399. 0. 2420.

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 January 1979.

    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.