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Winston Salem Symphony Assoc

EIN 56-0692826 · Winston Salem, NC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO BRING MUSIC TO LIFE: BELIEVING THAT MUSIC HAS THE POWER TO INSPIRE, THE WINSTON-SALEM SYMPHONY WILL FULFILL THIS MISSION BY ENRICHING THE COMMUNITY WITH LIVE MUSIC. THE SYMPHONY BRINGS PERFORMANCES, EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT INITIATIVES TO WHERE PEOPLE LIVE AND DESIRES FOR AUDIENCES TO EXPERIENCE MUSIC IN A WAY THAT IS RELEVANT AND MEANINGFUL TO THEIR OWN LIVES. THROUGH MUSIC, THE WINSTON-SALEM SYMPHONY ASPIRES TO CREATE SHARED EXPERIENCES AND CONNECTIONS THAT IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN WINSTON-SALEM AND THROUGHOUT THE REGION.

Income
$3.2 million
Spending
$3.4 million
Spent on programs
61%
Reserves
8.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 64%
Employees
117
Volunteers
112
Highest pay
$161,162, president &

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 54% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 11% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 6% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    61% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 17 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 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

    34 of 34 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 May 31, 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. $1.5 million spent. PERFORMANCES: 46 IN-PERSON PERFORMANCES (CLASSICS, POPS, FAMILY, AND CHORUS) AND EDUCATIONAL/FAMILY PROGRAMS SERVING 25,432 AUDIENCE MEMBERS.
  2. $559,338 spent. PUBLIC SCHOOL INSTRUCTION: SUMMER PLAY MUSIC CAMP SERVED 38 STUDENTS OVER 4 WEEKS AND SUMMER YOUTH ORCHESTRA FESTIVAL SERVED 54 STUDENTS OVER A ONE- WEEK CAMP. PROVIDED 690 IN-PERSON CLASSES FOR 375 STUDENTS FOR OUR PLAY MUSIC PROGRAM (PIEDMONT LEARNING ACADEMY FOR YOUTH). PROVIDED 120 IN-PERSON REHEARSALS FOR 199 YOUTH ORCHESTRA STUDENTS OF VARYING LEVELS OVER FOUR ENSEMBLES (CHAMBER SINFONIA/PREMIERE STRINGS, YOUTH PHILHARMONIC, AND YOUTH SYMPHONY). PROVIDED 83 IN-SCHOOL ENSEMBLE PERFORMANCES AT EVERY FORSYTH COUNTY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL FOR 15,136 4TH AND 5TH GRADE STUDENT INTERACTIONS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 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 May 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 April 1952.

    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.

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