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Gulf Coast Symphony Orchestra Inc

EIN 65-0666748 · Fort Myers, FL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak44 out of 100GovernanceFair65 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The Gulf Coast Symphony exists to contribute to the cultural enrichment of Lee County by producing and performing a broad variety of concerts and creating a diverse innovative and balanced program of performances events community and education projects which reaches the widest possible public. The Gulf Coast Symphony is recognized for its high-quality symphonic performances and its history of active community engagement and education.

Income
$2.3 million
Spending
$2.4 million
Spent on programs
77%
Reserves
0 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 66%
Employees
14
Volunteers
200
Highest pay
$150,300, 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

Weak: 44 out of 100. Higher than 14% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 100% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 14% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    77% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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

Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 15% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    1 of 6 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

    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. $1.8 million spent. The Gulf Coast Symphony is dedicated to fostering the appreciation and growth of symphonic music within the community through a diverse range of concerts including classical pops and family education performances. Furthermore the Symphony is deeply invested in supporting emerging artists by showcasing them as soloists in concerts and recitals providing a platform for their professional development. In the FY25 season the Gulf Coast Symphony showcased its musical prowess through a total of 16 captivating concerts at the prestigious Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall. Highlights of the season included iconic performances such as the enchanting Nutcracker in collaboration with the Gulfshore Ballet the festive Deck the Halls concert featuring the Fort Myers Symphonic Mastersingers and a spectacular production of West Side Story. Moreover the Symphony marked its fifth year of successful programming at the Music & Art Community Center MACC which opened its doors in January 2021 enriching the cultural landscape of the region. At the MACC the Gulf Coast Symphony continued to enrich the community with a diverse array of performances including 8 orchestra concerts with two performances of each show 4 musical productions spanning performances an engaging Jazz Series comprising 8 shows and a captivating chamber music series featuring 4 performances. We also did a series of Singer-Songwriter presentations. Additionally the Symphony delighted audiences with 3 Latin music shows 3 unique MACC presentations a performance with Jeffrey Steele as part of the Island Hopper 2 special performances in the community further solidifying its position as a cultural cornerstone in the region. We also presented two sensory friendly concerts in the fall and spring. Notably the MACC is proudly the home of Candlelight Fort Myers hosting a total of 74 shows that captivated and inspired audiences throughout the season. In its unwavering commitment to music education the Gulf Coast Symphony offered a comprehensive range of educational programs including the MusicWorks! afterschool initiative and a dynamic High & Middle School Jazz Ensemble. The Symphony also successfully conducted its second series of summer camps providing enriching programs in beginning strings Jazz orchestra and musical theater over a span of 6 weeks. Furthermore the Symphony actively engaged with the community by participating in events such as the opening night of ArtFest in downtown Fort Myers at the Caloosa Sound Shell as well as conducting an outreach show on Sanibel extending the reach of symphonic music to diverse audiences. In total the Symphony as an organization presented 196 performances this season.

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 1998.

    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.