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Symphony Tacoma

EIN 91-6032976 · Tacoma, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak38 out of 100GovernanceGood75 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SYMPHONY TACOMA'S MISSION IS " BUILDING COMMUNITY THROUGH MUSIC"

Income
$1.1 million
Spending
$1.5 million
Spent on programs
52%
Reserves
2.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 56%
Employees
158
Volunteers
158
Highest pay
$116,378, music 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

Weak: 38 out of 100. Higher than 9% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 10% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 31% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 36% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    52% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 26 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

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 25% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    17 of 17 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

    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. $768,106 spent. SYMPHONY TACOMA ENGAGED IN MULTI-YEAR INITIATIVE TO CHAMPION DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, ACCESS AND BELONGING IN ALL ASPECTS OF OUR BUSINESS. OUR SUBSCRIPTION SERIES FEATURED A DIVERSE ARRAY OF GUEST ARTIST AND REPERTOIRE. AS A CHAMPION OF NEW MUSIC, MUSIC DIRECTOR SARAH IOANNIDES HAS PREMIERED SEVERAL WORKS BY LIVING COMPOSERS, A RARITY IN OUR INDUSTRY. OUR EDUCATION PROGRAMS RETURNED TO IN-PERSON LAST YEAR. OUR SYMPHONY2U PROGRAM SUPPORTING ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STRING PROGRAMS WAS EXPANDED AND DELIVERED IN-PERSON TO SEVEN SCHOOLS AND PROVIDED CONSECUTIVE WEEKS OF INTENSIVE COACHING AND PERFORMANCES. WE WERE ONE OF JUST A FEW ORGANIZATIONS IN TACOMA TO HAVE PERFORMANCES THAT WERE USED AS A FIELD TRIP (OUR SIMPLY SYMPHONIC SERIES). IN ADDITION, SYMPHONY TACOMA CREATED OPPOTUNITIES TO HAVE FREE PROGRAM SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS: PERFORMANCE AND OTHER OPPORTUNITIES. WE BROUGHT MUSICIANS TO PERFORM AT NEIGHBORHOOD EVENTS, FARMER'S MARKET AND OFFERED FREE MASTERCLASS LED BY NOTABLE ARTISTS.

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 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 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 March 1961.

    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.