Inside the Orchestra Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It owes more than it owns.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
Inside the Orchestra brings music to children cultivating music appreciation and enhancing their education through engaging interactive experience with orchestra music
- Income
- $543,000
- Spending
- $514,085
- Spent on programs
- 84%
- Reserves
- -9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 46%
- Employees
- 67
- Highest pay
- $111,327, exec 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
Weak: 45 out of 100. Higher than 14% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
0 of 20It owes 260% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 8% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1584% 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: 97 out of 100. Higher than 91% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2510 of 10 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
12 of 15Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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)
- $432,633 spent. Tiny Tots:Tiny Tots is Inside the Orchestras flagship early-childhood program, designed for children ages seven and under and their caregivers. Featuring 32 professional orchestra musicians positioned around the audience, these concerts create an immersive musical experience that introduces young children to live orchestral music in an engaging and accessible way. At least 40% of the repertoire highlights historically underrepresented composers, including BIPOC and women. During the fiscal year, the organization presented 38 Tiny Tots concerts serving approximately 10,000 young children, caregivers, and teachers.Music of the World Concerts:Music of the World Concerts are interactive performances designed for schools, families, and community groups that introduce students to global musical traditions. Led by a bilingual conductor and featuring 16 professional musicians, these concerts provide up-close instrument demonstrations and guided exploration of diverse musical styles, helping students experience orchestral music in an engaging and culturally inclusive way. During the fiscal year, the organization presented 13 concerts serving approximately 2,700 students, educators, and community members.Chamber and Community Programs:In addition to its large ensemble concerts, Inside the Orchestra presented smaller chamber programs and interactive educational activities in schools, libraries, and community centers. These programs included Storytime Trio performances that combine live music with storytelling and movement for young children; Intro to the Orchestra Quintet programs that introduce K6 students to orchestral instruments and basic musical concepts through interactive demonstrations; Instrument Petting Zoos; and Science of Sound workshops. During the fiscal year, 85 of these programs were presented, serving approximately 3,000 young people, teachers, and caregivers.Overall Program Impact:In total, Inside the Orchestra presented 136 programs, serving more than 15,800 children, caregivers, teachers, and community members across the metro Denver area. In addition, the organization continues to offer its Curriculum Resource Hub, a free, yearlong music curriculum for ECE6th grade designed for flexible classroom use, empowering educators worldwide to integrate orchestral music into their teaching.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since November 1983.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.