East Texas Symphony Orchestra
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Providing the highest possible quality of symphonic entertainment through the presentation of classical and contemporary music in diverse settings. Educating, enriching and enlightening audiences, individuals, organizations, and groups about classical and contemporary music. Providing a diverse musical fabric to East Texans through the commissioning of compositions, recording performances and presentation of a variety of musical works and musicians. Becoming a premier orchestra association within our American Symphony Orchestra league peer group.
- Income
- $1.2 million
- Spending
- $1.3 million
- Spent on programs
- 69%
- Reserves
- 6.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 66%
- Employees
- 6
- Volunteers
- 23
- Highest pay
- $106,005, executive dir.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 77 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 6.1 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 2% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 12% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 7% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1569% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 87 out of 100. Higher than 47% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2523 of 23 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no 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
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
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 May 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 (1)
- $920,478 spent. THE MISSION OF THE EAST TEXAS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA IS TO ENGAGE AND INSPIRE OUR COMMUNITY THROUGH EXCEPTIONAL MUSIC EDUCATION AND PERFORMANCE. THE 2024-2025 SEASON ACTIVITIES INCLUDED THE FOLLOWING:A. A FULL FIVE-CONCERT SUBSCRIPTION SERIES AT THE UT TYLER COWAN CENTER, SERVING A CUMMULATIVE AUDIENCE OF APPROXIMATELY 5,000 PEOPLE.B. CONTINUATION OF ANNUAL ETSO/CARNEGIE HALL EDUCATION PROGRAM LINK UP, CULMINATING IN FOUR PARTICAPATORY CONCERTS PRESENTED AT TYLER HIGH SCHOOL AND SERVING OVER 3,000 4TH AND 5TH-GRADE STUDENTS FROM TYLER AND SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES.C. PRESENTATION OF THE THIRD ANNUAL LABOR DAY WEEKEND SYMPHONY IN THE PARK AT BERGFELD PARK IN TYLER, TX. THIS FREE FAMILY CONCERT WAS OFFERED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CITY OF TYLER AND DREW AN AUDIENCE OF OVER 1,700 RESIDENTS.D. PRESENTATION OF A CONCERT CELEBRATING THE TOTAL ECLIPSE OF THE SUN, TOTALITY. THE CONCERT WAS PRESENTED IN COLLABORATION WITH TYLER JUNIOR COLLEGE IN ITS NEW ROGERS PALMER PERFORMING ARTS CENTER. TWO PERFORMANCES WERE PRESENTED, SERVING APPROXIMATELY 1,600 PATRONS.E. ETSO CONTINUED ITS FREE SUMMER FREE SMALL ENSEMBLE PROGRAMS AT TRUE VINE BREWING CO, FOCUSING ON LATIN BEATS AND HONORING THE LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT. THE CONCERT DREW AN AUDIENCE OF APPROXIMATELY 250.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending May 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since February 1960.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.