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New West Symphony Association

EIN 77-0406042 · Thousand Oaks, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak23 out of 100GovernanceFair65 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.
  • 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

THE NEW WEST SYMPHONY INSPIRES PASSION FOR SYMPHONIC MUSIC THROUGH LIVE PERFORMANCES AND EDUCATION INITIATIVES THAT ENGAGE AND ENRICH ITS DIVERSE AUDIENCES.

Income
$1.9 million
Spending
$2.3 million
Spent on programs
55%
Reserves
-3.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 67%
Employees
149
Volunteers
100
Highest pay
$139,998, ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 23 out of 100. Higher than 2% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    0 of 20

    It owes 184% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 22% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 90% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    55% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 13 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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

    0 of 10

    Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 (4)
  1. $1.0 million spent. FOUNDED IN 1995, THE NEW WEST SYMPHONY IS A TOP PROFESSIONAL ORCHESTRA IN THE REGION THAT DRAWS ITS PLAYERS FROM THE RICH TALENT POOL OF PROFESSIONAL MUSICIANS. WITH ARTISTIC DIRECTION LED BY GRAMMY WINNER MAESTRO MICHAEL CHRISTIE, THE SYMPHONY IS THE RESIDENT COMPANY OF THE BANK OF AMERICA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER IN THOUSAND OAKS AND PERFORMS AT THE RANCHO CAMPANA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER IN CAMARILLO. RETURNING TO LIVE PERFORMANCES IN 2021, THE SYMPHONY PRESENTS SIX MASTERPIECE SERIES CONCERTS ANNUALLY, PERFORMING MAJOR WORKS FROM THE SYMPHONIC REPERTOIRE WITH INTERNATIONALLY ACCLAIMED ARTISTS AS GUEST SOLOISTS, AS WELL AS PRODUCES ANNUAL SUMMERFEST AND WINTERFEST PROGRAMS RAISING ADDITIONAL FUNDS FOR THE SYMPHONY'S OPERATIONS.
  2. $186,395 spent. LABY HARMONY PROJECT OF NEW WEST SYMPHONY USES MUSIC TRAINING TO PROMOTE THE HEALTHY GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF UNDERSERVED YOUTH. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES HIGH QUALITY TUITION-FREE MUSIC INSTRUCTION TO CHILDREN IN GRADES K-12, CURRENTLY SERVING OVER 160 STUDENTS IN THE CITY OF VENTURA YEAR- ROUND. BY COLLABORATING WITH STUDENTS, FAMILIES, AND LOCAL PARTNERS, AND TOGETHER WITH OUR GENEROUS SUPPORTERS, THE PROJECT BUILDS A STRONGER, HEALTHIER, AND MORE MUSICALLY ENGAGED COMMUNITY.
  3. $6,821 spent. SYMPHONIC ADVENTURES, THE SYMPHONY'S FLAGSHIP EDUCATION PROGRAM, IS A LIVE, INTERACTIVE CONCERT FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS, THEIR CHAPERONES AND PARENTS. THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES OVER 5,000 STUDENTS WITH THEIR FIRST OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR CLASSICAL MUSIC. EACH 50-MINUTE INTERACTIVE CONCERT SUPPORTS THE SYMPHONY'S GOAL TO BRING ORCHESTRAL MUSIC TO CHILDREN. BY INTRODUCING STUDENTS TO THE ORCHESTRA, ITS CONDUCTOR, AND THE ELEMENTS OF MUSIC, THE SYMPHONY AIMS TO INSPIRE A LIFE-LONG APPRECIATION OF MUSIC.
  4. $71,374 spent. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 December 2024.

    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 1996.

    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.