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Cheyenne Symphony Orchestra

EIN 83-6006472 · Cheyenne, WY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood89 out of 100GovernanceStrong94 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE CHEYENNE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA'S OUTSTANDING PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCES AND EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH ENGAGE, INSPIRE, AND ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR CHEYENNE AND SURROUNDING AREAS. IN PURSUIT OF ITS MISSION, CSO VALUES: ARTISTIC EXCELLENCE, INNOVATION, AND GROWTH; AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT, ENRICHMENT, AND EXPANSION; FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY, SUSTAINABILITY, AND ADVANCEMENT; CULTURAL LEADERSHIP, COLLABORATION, AND DEVELOPMENT.

Income
$1.3 million
Spending
$995,412
Spent on programs
78%
Reserves
9.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 73%
Employees
73
Volunteers
46
Highest pay
$71,414, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 89 out of 100. Higher than 76% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 9.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 18% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 26% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 72% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    78% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 94 out of 100. Higher than 59% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    20 of 20 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

    10 of 10

    Gave 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

    9 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • 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, 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)
  1. $778,648 spent. EACH SEASON, CSO OFFERS FIVE MASTERPIECE CONCERTS, A HOLIDAY POPS CONCERT, AND A FAMILY MATINEE IN THE CHEYENNE CIVIC CENTER. CSO ALSO PRESENTS A SERIES OF HAUSMUSIK CONCERTS HELD IN CHEYENNE HOMES OR SMALLER VENUES AND AN INTENSIVE EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH PROGRAM TO LARAMIE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT #1 & #2. THE CHEYENNE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA HAS BEEN ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH THIS BECAUSE OF THE GENEROUS SUPPORT, BOTH FINANCIALLY AND THROUGH VOLUNTEERISM, OF OUR PATRONS AND DONORS, THE COMMUNITY OF CHEYENNE, AND PUBLIC-MINDED BUSINESSES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 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 November 6, 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 2025.

    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 February 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 November 4, 2026.

  7. Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.

    A much larger organization has a similar name: Chicago Symphony Orchestra (Chicago, IL), EIN 36-2167823. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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.