Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- 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 MISSION OF THE BOULDER PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA IS TO ENRICH CONNECTIONS AND COMMUNITIES THROUGH THE POWER OF ORCHESTRAL MUSIC. THE BOULDER PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA PRESENTS PERFORMANCES THAT REFLECT OUR COMMUNITY'S VALUES, CREATIVITY, AND SENSE OF PLACE. TODAY THE BOULDER PHIL REACHES AUDIENCES OF MORE THAN 30,000 THROUGH CONCERTS, THE DISCOVERY EDUCATION PROGRAM, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT EXPERIENCES IN BOULDER AND ACROSS COLORADO'S FRONT RANGE.
- Income
- $1.3 million
- Spending
- $1.6 million
- Spent on programs
- 77%
- Reserves
- -2.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 44%
- Employees
- 172
- Volunteers
- 12
- Highest pay
- $4,303, musician trustee
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
Weak: 30 out of 100. Higher than 4% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
0 of 20It owes 104% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 18% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 1% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1577% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2514 of 14 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
10 of 10Gave 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 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)
- $1.2 million spent. The Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra fulfilled our mission to enrich connections and communities through the power of orchestral music through concerts and education and community engagement programs across the region. Over the past year, the Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra presented 96 activities including 23 concerts and 73 educational and community programs throughout the region. A variety of programs are offered including full orchestral, chamber music, pops, and family. We present a wide range of repertoire ranging from masterworks to living composers and other genres. The education and community engagement program provides programs at every stage of life, from infants to advanced ages. In addition to school visits, programs provide opportunities for social emotional learning for early education, music therapy for autism, musical hikes, lectures, and teacher curriculum guides. Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra partners with 42 schools as well as local nonprofits and arts organizations regularly for collaborative programming.
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
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 June 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 January 1962.
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.