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Eugene Symphony Association Inc

EIN 93-0556298 · Eugene, OR

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak49 out of 100GovernanceGood82 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Enriching lives through the power of music, presenting a diverse range of orchestral repertoire at the highest level of artistic excellence, and providing musical education opportunities for children and adults.

Income
$3.0 million
Spending
$3.1 million
Spent on programs
76%
Reserves
1.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 61%
Employees
197
Volunteers
102
Highest pay
$166,907, executive dir.

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: 49 out of 100. Higher than 20% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 35% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 6% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 5% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    76% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 13 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: 82 out of 100. Higher than 34% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    29 of 29 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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 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 (2)
  1. $2.4 million spent. In the 2024/2025 season, the Eugene Symphony Association (ESA) presented nine Symphonic Series subscription concerts and a range of special performances and community events that reflected both artistic excellence and a period of major organizational transition. The season marked the final year of Music Director Francesco Lecce-Chongs transformative tenure with the Eugene Symphony and served as the centerpiece of ESAs international search for its next artistic leader. Across the season, ESA welcomed thousands of patrons to performances in Silva Concert Hall, the Soreng Theater, and community venues throughout Greater Eugene.Season highlights included the continuation of ESAs complete Beethoven Piano Concerto cycle featuring a distinguished roster of guest pianists, as well as performances by five Music Director finalists: Alexander Prior, Farkhad Khudyev, Rory Macdonald, Tania Miller, and Taichi Fukumura. Each candidate led a full subscription program, engaging deeply with orchestra musicians, audiences, donors, and the broader community throughout an extensive public search process. The search generated significant regional and national interest and represented one of the most ambitious artistic leadership transitions in ESAs history.The season balanced cornerstone orchestral repertoire with contemporary voices and audience development programming. Performances included Beethovens Piano Concertos Nos. 15; Dvorks Symphony No. 8; Tchaikovskys Symphony No. 4; Rachmaninoffs Symphony No. 2; Mussorgskys Night on Bald Mountain; Florence Prices Andante Moderato; Anna Clynes Masquerade; and works by Jennifer Higdon, Gabriela Smith, and others. The season opened with former Music Director Francesco Lecce-Chong conducting Stravinskys The Rite of Spring alongside Jennifer Higdons Violin Concerto featuring acclaimed violinist Benjamin Beilman. The season also included major audience favorites such as Music from Studio Ghibli and Star Wars Live in Concert, reflecting ESAs ongoing commitment to diversifying programming and welcoming new audiences into the concert hall.A defining artistic moment of the season was the culmination of Francesco Lecce-Chongs tenure, celebrated through performances that highlighted his adventurous programming, commitment to contemporary music, and deep connection to the Eugene community. Under his leadership, ESA continued to build a national reputation for innovative programming and meaningful audience engagement.The 2024/2025 season also marked the first full season under the leadership of Executive Director Dave Moss, who joined ESA in January 2024. Moss advanced initiatives focused on long-term financial sustainability, audience growth, digital engagement, and expanded civic partnerships. During the season, ESA emphasized revenue diversification strategies, increased marketing and media initiatives, expanded donor engagement efforts, and strengthened regional visibility throughout Lane County and beyond.In addition, ESA continued implementation of its recently negotiated three-year collective bargaining agreement with its union musicians, reinforcing the organizations commitment to artistic excellence, institutional stability, and long-term sustainability. Together, these efforts demonstrated ESAs growing role as both a leading cultural institution and a vital civic partner in Oregon.
  2. ESA also expanded its community engagement footprint significantly during the season. Education and Community Engagement (EdCE) programs included Youth Concerts serving thousands of middle and high school students; Link Up concerts for elementary school participants; free Family Musical Adventures performances in the Hult Center Lobby; artist residencies and master classes; pre-concert lectures; and partnerships with schools and community organizations across the region. Collectively, ESAs education and engagement programs were expected to serve more than 14,500 community members throughout Greater Eugene and surrounding rural communities.

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 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 June 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 1966.

    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.