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Southwest Florida Symphony Orchestra and Chorus Association I

EIN 59-1350404 · Fort Myers, FL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceGood78 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WE ASPIRE TO BE THE PREMIER MUSIC ORGANIZATION SERVING OUR COMMUNITIES BY PROVIDING QUALITY, PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCES AND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES.

Income
$1.8 million
Spending
$1.7 million
Spent on programs
80%
Reserves
16.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 75%
Employees
158
Volunteers
75
Highest pay
$113,872, 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 89% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 16.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% 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 29% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    80% 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

Good: 78 out of 100. Higher than 29% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 14 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

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (1)
  1. $1.3 million spent. THE MISSION OF THE SOUTHWEST FLORIDA SYMPHONY IS TO PRESENT OUTSTANDING MUSIC FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT, ENRICHMENT AND EDUCATION OF THE BROADEST POSSIBLE PUBLIC. WE ACCOMPLISH THIS MISSION BY PROVIDING THE HIGHEST CALIBER OF PROFESSIONAL SYMPHONIC PERFORMANCES, MADE ACCESSIBLE TO THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY AND BEYOND. THE SYMPHONY EMPLOYS AN INTERNATIONALLY ACCLAIMED MUSIC DIRECTOR/CONDUCTOR, 70 WORLD-CLASS MUSICIANS AND BRINGS EXEMPLARY GUEST ARTISTS TO LEE COUNTY, FLORIDA. A PROFESSIONAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA IS THE CORNERSTONE OF ARTS AND CULTURE IN ANY COMMUNITY. THROUGH ITS EVER-EXPANDING FOOTPRINT AND RICH HISTORY IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA, THE SOUTHWEST FLORIDA SYMPHONY SIGNIFICANTLY ENHANCES THE QUALITY OF THE COMMUNITY. THE SOUTHWEST FLORIDA SYMPHONY ALSO PROVIDES EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHILDREN OF ALL AGES, UP TO AND INCLUDING COLLEGE STUDENTS AND ADULTS, THROUGH ITS BROAD EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS. MAJORS FOR MINORS IS A PROGRAM THAT MARRIES DONOR ENGAGEMENT WITH "REVERSE FIELD TRIPS," BRINGING PROFESSIONAL ORCHESTRAL ENSEMBLES TO ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS THROUGHOUT LEE COUNTY, FLORIDA. THIS PROGRAM IS PRIMARILY FUNDED THROUGH INDIVIDUAL DONORS WHO ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THESE SCHOOLS IN ORDER TO SEE THEIR INVESTMENT IN THE SYMPHONY WORK. IN ADDITION TO ESTABLISHING AND DEEPENING THOSE RELATIONSHIPS, MAJORS AND MINORS FILLS THE ARTS EDUCATION VOID LEFT BY REDUCED OR ELIMINATED GOVERNMENTAL FUNDING FOR THOSE PROGRAMS AND ENHANCES STANDARD CURRICULUM.THE SYMPHONY'S YOUTH ORCHESTRA PROGRAMS PROVIDE PUBLIC PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES, TEAM BUILDING SKILLS AND INSTRUMENTAL INSTRUCTION DELIVERED BY THE ORCHESTRA'S PROFESSIONAL MUSICIANS TO 100 STUDENTS RANGING FROM 6TH TO 12TH GRADE EACH SCHOOL YEAR. OTHER LIFELONG LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES INCLUDE THE SYMPHONY'S ANNUAL YOUNG PEOPLE'S CONCERT, WHICH IS A FIELD TRIP THAT BRINGS LEE COUNTY 5TH GRADERS TO BARBARA B. MANN PERFORMING ARTS HALL EACH SPRING FOR A FULL SYMPHONIC PERFORMANCE EXPERIENCE. OTHER EDUCATION INITIATIVES INCLUDE CONDUCTOR AND GUEST ARTIST LED PRE-CONCERT LECTURES, FREE TICKETS FOR DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITY MEMBERS, $5 STUDENT RUSH TICKETS, THE DISCOVERY CLUB PROGRAM, WHICH PROVIDES MEMBER STUDENTS AND TWO GUESTS WITH $5 CONCERT TICKETS AND MASTER CLASSES OFFERED BY VISITING GUEST ARTISTS AT LOCAL HIGH SCHOOLS, COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES.THE SYMPHONY BRINGS PERFORMANCES, EDUCTION AND OUTREACH INITIATIVES TO EVERY CORNER OF LEE COUNTY, FLORIDA, WITHIN ITS POWER TO ENSURE THAT PROFESSIONAL SYMPHONIC MUSIC IS AVAILABLE TO EVERYONE WHO DESIRES ACCESS, REGARDLESS OF ABILITY TO PAY ADMISSION OR TRAVEL TO PERFORMANCES, BRINGING THE HISTORY OF MUSIC TO LIFE FOR EVERYONE WITHIN ITS REACH.

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 September 1966.

    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.