Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Charlotte Symphony Orchestra Society Inc

EIN 56-6011568 · Charlotte, NC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair65 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

OUR MISSION IS TO IGNITE THE HUMAN SPIRIT THROUGH THE PASSION AND UNIFYING POWER OF LIVE SYMPHONIC MUSIC.

Income
$27.1 million
Spending
$14.8 million
Spent on programs
81%
Reserves
-2.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 84%
Employees
315
Volunteers
32
Highest pay
$290,891, president & ceo

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

Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 36% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 5% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 45% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 55% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    81% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 34% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    25 of 28 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.

  • 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 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 (3)
  1. $11.3 million spent. SYMPHONY PERFORMANCES - LAST YEAR 170,000+ PEOPLE EXPERIENCED LIVE MUSIC WITH THE CHARLOTTE SYMPHONY WITH 175 CONCERTS PRESENTED IN 34 VENUES ACROSS THE REGION. EVENTS INCLUDED VIRTUAL AND IN-PERSON PERFORMANCES OF CLASSICAL MASTERWORKS, POPS FAVORITES, INFORMAL CONCERTS IN LOCAL BREWERIES, AND VIRTUAL EDUCATIONAL CONCERTS FOR THOUSANDS OF CHILDREN.
  2. $607,794 spent. YOUTH ORCHESTRAS - WITH THE BELIEF THAT MAKING MUSIC IS A RIGHT, NOT A PRIVILEGE, WE ACTIVELY NURTURE THE NEXT GENERATION OF MUSICIANS AND MUSIC LOVERS BY SUPPORTING TWO YOUTH ORCHESTRAS FOCUSED ON DUAL GOALS OF EXTRAORDINARY MUSIC EDUCATION AND DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION. WE PROVIDE A NURTURING ENVIRONMENT FOR OUR YOUNG MUSICIANS TO CREATE LASTING BONDS THROUGH MUSIC AND FRIENDSHIP, AND INSTILL THE VALUES OF COMMUNITY SERVICE THROUGH MUSIC.
  3. $94,500 spent. COMMUNITY EDUCATION - AN INTENSIVE AFTERSCHOOL YOUTH PROGRAM FOCUSED ON CHARLOTTE'S CHILDREN WITH THE GREATEST NEEDS AND FEWEST RESOURCES, PROJECT HARMONY IS A MUSIC AND LEADERSHIP PROGRAM AIMED AT EXPANDING THE VISION OF WHAT IS POSSIBLE FOR OUR AREA YOUTH. CHILDREN ARE GIVEN FREE INSTRUMENTS, ORCHESTRA ENSEMBLE TRAINING, AND ACADEMIC SUPPORT.

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 November 6, 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 December 1959.

    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 November 4, 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.