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Sun Valley Summer Symphony Inc

EIN 82-0397940 · Sun Valley, ID

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO ENRICH, INSPIRE, AND INSTILL IN OUR COMMUNITY A LIFELONG LOVE OF CLASSICAL MUSIC THROUGH EXTRAORIDNARY, FREE CONCERTS AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS.

Income
$5.4 million
Spending
$5.2 million
Spent on programs
72%
Reserves
50.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 88%
Employees
55
Volunteers
50
Highest pay
$352,136, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending October 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 89% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 50.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 14% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    72% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 21 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending October 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 49% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 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

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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 October 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 (3)
  1. $2.6 million spent. SUMMER SEASON: EACH SUMMER, THE ORGANIZATION BRINGS MUSICIANS AND GUEST ARTISTS TO SUN VALLEY TO PRESENT A SERIES OF CLASSICAL MUSIC CONCERTS. OVER 100 MUSICIANS FORM THE FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA, LED BY MUSIC DIRECTOR ALASDAIR NEALE. THE CONCERTS ARE PRESENTED AT THE SUN VALLEY PAVILION. ALL CONCERTS - EXCEPT THE FUNDRAISING GALA - ARE PRESENTED FREE OF CHARGE TO THE PUBLIC. EACH SUMMER, OVER 50,000 PEOPLE ATTEND UP TO 15 FREE CONCERTS.
  2. $772,800 spent. EDUCATION: THE FESTIVAL'S MUSIC INSTITUTE RUNS MUSIC EDUCATION PROGRAMS DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR IN CONJUNCTION WITH LOCAL PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND, IN ADDITION, RUNS TWO SUMMER CAMPS DURING THE FESTIVAL'S SUMMER SEASON. SCHOOL-YEAR PROGRAMS SERVE STUDENTS IN LOCAL PUBLIC AND PRIVATE ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE, AND HIGH SCHOOLS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH MUSIC TEACHERS IN THESE SCHOOLS. THE MUSIC INSTITUTE OFFERS COMPREHENSIVE MUSIC EDUCATION INCLUDING MUSIC THEORY AND ENSEMBLE AND INDIVIDUAL INSTRUCTION. THE SUMMER PROGRAMS OFFER MUSIC EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN IN GRADES 2-12 IN A ONE-WEEK PROGRAM, AND FOR ADVANCED STUDENTS IN A TWO-WEEK ADVANCED CHAMBER PROGRAM. ALL SUMMER PROGRAMS INVOLVE MUSICIANS FROM THE FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA, AS WELL AS GUEST ARTISTS.
  3. $360,163 spent. WINTER SEASON: THE MUSIC FESTIVAL PRESENTS A WINTER CONCERT SERIES IN FEBRUARY OR MARCH. PAST FESTIVALS HAVE PRESENTED THREE OR FOUR CONCERTS - ALL FREE OF CHARGE- WITH PERFORMERS INCLUDING MUSICIANS FROM THE FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA AS WELL AS GUEST ARTISTS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending October 31, 2025, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending October 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since October 1985.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.