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Richardson Symphony Inc

EIN 75-1186008 · Richardson, TX

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak36 out of 100GovernanceFair51 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Provide quality live musical perfromances of popular and classical music for North Dallas Metroplex area. We also seek to promote music education with an eye towards educating future artists and audiences by offering childrens concerts and classroom visits through our Symphony Days Program.

Income
$664,641
Spending
$759,761
Spent on programs
71%
Reserves
1.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 43%
Employees
5
Volunteers
40
Highest pay
$79,100, president

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2026, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 36 out of 100. Higher than 8% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 83% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 14% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 24% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    71% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 11 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2026, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Fair: 51 out of 100. Higher than 19% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    0 of 9 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 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, 2026, 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. $494,955 spent. Now in its 62nd year the orchestra is comprised of a core of about 60 professional musicians from throughout the DFW area under the direction of the Music Director and Conductor Clay Couturiaux. Founded in 1961 the RSO typically performs a season of 6 subscription performances of popluar and classical live music. Some performances feature guest soloists vocal and instrumental from all over the world or popular local choral groups or soloists. In addition to its regular concert season select orchestra members may play in contract performances. Examples include providing a quartet for an event or providing orchestral accompaniment for a production at the Eisemann Center.
  2. $18,009 spent. The Young Artist Competition draws young string players and pianists from across the nation and beyond. Eligible young artists compete with the first place winner being awarded a cash prize as well as the opportunity to present their chosen concerto or other work with the Richardson Symphony Orchestra during one of our spring concerts.
  3. $28,591 spent. In line with its mission of developing young artists and promoting music education in general the RSO is actively involved in elementary educational programs through our Symphony Days classroom visits and special childrens concerts. Each elementary school in Richardson Independent School District is offered the opportunity to participate in a program which involves an on-site classroom visit by our musicians to demonstrate their instrument and prepare the children to appreciate and enjoy an upcoming concert performed specifically for them at the Eisemann Center. In many cases the concert they attend as part of the Symphony Days program is the first classical concert these children have attended. The program focus is third graders. In the past we have also made the program available to many private schools and home school groups.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2026, 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 2026.

    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 June 1965.

    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.