Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra Association Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
SEE SCHEDULE O-TO PERFORM GREAT SYMPHONIC MUSIC AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF ARTISTIC EXCELLENCE TO EDUCATE, ENTERTAIN, AND ENHANCE CULTURAL LIFE.-TO PRESENT ENGAGING MUSIC EDUCATION PROGRAMS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TO FOSTER EARLY INTEREST IN AND INSPIRE LIFELONG ENJOYMENT OF MUSIC. -TO ACHIEVE EVER-GREATER LEVELS OF ARTISTIC ACCOMPLISHMENT AND LEADERSHIP IN FORT WORTH AND ACROSS THE NATION.
- Income
- $12.4 million
- Spending
- $16.1 million
- Spent on programs
- 77%
- Reserves
- -4.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 64%
- Employees
- 308
- Volunteers
- 60
- Highest pay
- $326,741, music director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 40 out of 100. Higher than 8% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 14% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 30% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 12% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1577% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 16 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 12% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2575 of 78 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
0 of 10Did not give 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
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 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 (2)
- $9.0 million spent. ORCHESTRAL PRODUCTIONS- WE PERFORMED A 46-WEEK CONCERT SEASON FEATURING 79 UNIQUE ORCHESTRAL PRODUCTIONS, REACHING AN AUDIENCE OF 66,000 LOCALS AND TOURISTS. PERFORMANCES INCLUDED A SYMPHONIC SERIES, A POPS SERIES, SPECIAL EVENTS, AND FAMILY-FRIENDLY CONCERTS FEATURING AN ARRAY OF BOTH NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL GUEST ARTISTS AND CONDUCTORS. COMMUNITY MEMBERS OF ALL WALKS OF LIFE WERE BROUGHT TOGETHER BY OUR DIVERSE ARRAY OF PROGRAMMING, SERVING AS A REMINDER OF THE UNIFYING POWER OF MUSIC.
- $3.3 million spent. EDUCATION CONCERTS - WE PERFORMED 21 EDUCATION CONCERTS ACROSS NORTH TEXAS, REACHING AN AUDIENCE OF 14,500 STUDENTS AND FAMILIES. SCHOOL DISTRICTS ENGAGED INCLUDE FORT WORTH ISD, WEATHERFORD ISD, BIRDVILLE ISD, H-E-B ISD, NORTHWEST ISD, ARLINGTON ISD, FRISCO ISD, AND KELLER ISD. PERFORMANCES PROVIDED STUDENTS WITH INTERACTIVE MUSICAL EXPERIENCES THAT FOSTER COMMUNITY CONNECTION AND ARTISTIC APPRECIATION. COMMUNITY CONCERTS AND EVENTS - WE PRODUCED 8 COMMUNITY PERFORMANCES AND EVENTS ACROSS TARRANT COUNTY THAT ENGAGED APPROXIMATELY 4,300 ADULTS AND CHILDREN, INCLUDING COMMUNITY MEMBERS FROM HISTORICALLY UNDER-REPRESENTED GROUPS. PROVIDING THE COMMUNITY WITH MEANINGFUL OUTREACH EVENTS HELPED TO UPLIFT, EDUCATE, AND (CONT. ON SCH. O) INSPIRE PEOPLE OF VARIOUS BACKGROUNDS WHILE ENRICHING THE COUNTY'S BROADER ARTS AND CULTURE SECTOR.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 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 July 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 October 1958.
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.