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Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra & Chorale

EIN 94-2848318 · San Francisco, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood82 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SEE MISSION STATEMENT STARTING ON PAGE 1 AND CONTINUING ON SCHEDULE O

Income
$5.1 million
Spending
$3.1 million
Spent on programs
58%
Reserves
8.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 88%
Employees
107
Volunteers
14
Highest pay
$225,974, interim ed

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: 82 out of 100. Higher than 64% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 19% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 39% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 181% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    58% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 15 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 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

    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

    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 (5)
  1. $1.4 million spent. ARTISTIC PROGRAMMINGThe Philharmonia Board and staff remain committed to sustaining the legacy of this 44-year-old institution while addressing changing audience needs. Post-pandemic, the organization has regained its subscription base and is in the midst of diversifying its constituents. After a season featuring four Music Director candidates, Peter Whelan was recently announced as Philharmonias new Music Director.Season HighlightsOctober 2024: Music Director Candidate Exploration Guest conductor Grete Pederson led a diverse program spanning medieval to classical periods, featuring works by Hildegard von Bingen, Caroline Shaw, Haydn, Mozart, and Mendelssohn, showcasing the ensemble's versatility.November 2024: Vivaldi and Jews & Music Celebrated the 300th anniversary of Vivaldi's Four Seasons with mandolin soloist Avi Avital. The orchestra expanded its reach through a successful Southern California tour, performing at the Soka Performing Arts Center, Granada Theatre in Santa Barbara, and The Soraya in Los Angeles.December 2024: Bach Christmas Led by guest conductor Ruben Valenzuela, the ensemble demonstrated professional flexibility when soprano Sherezade Panthaki was replaced by tenor Nicholas Phan due to family tragedy, while maintaining high artistic standards in beloved Bach Advent cantatas.January 2025: Innovative SESSIONS Series A sold-out intercultural performance at San Francisco Conservatory featured sitarist Arjun Verma and Composer in Residence Tarik O'Regan, pushing artistic boundaries beyond traditional classical expectations. The month also included a Side-by-Side educational workshop with conservatory students focusing on J.S. Bach arias performed on period instruments.March 2025: Handel's Theatrical Vision Under guest conductor Peter Whelan, the orchestra explored Handel's Alceste as a multimedia extravaganza, featuring soloists Lauren Snouffer and Aaron Sheehan with the Philharmonia Chorale, demonstrating the dramatic potential of Baroque opera.April 2025: French Baroque Dance Music Guest conductor Avi Stein led a vibrant program celebrating Baroque dance and theatrical music, including Rebel's "Les caractres de la danse," Bach's Orchestral Suite No. 3, Handel's Concerto Grosso Op. 6 No. 10, and Rameau's theatrical suites from various operas.
  2. $284,523 spent. MARKETINGMARKETING EXPENSES INCLUDED THE EXPENSE OF MARKETING THE ORGANIZATION'S SUBSCRIPTION SEASON AND THE PATRON MANAGEMENT EXPENSES OF COMMUNICATING WITH SUBSCRIBERS REGARDING ONGOING EVENTS, PERFORMANCES, AND PROGRAMMATIC ACTIVITIES.
  3. $120,663 spent. EDUCATIONA TWO-YEAR ONESCHOOL PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN PBO AND MISSION HIGH SCHOOL WAS LAUNCHED TO AUGMENT THIS SCHOOLS MUSIC PROGRAMS BY SHARING, CREATING, AND PERFORMING CLASSICAL MUSIC WITH STUDENTS. THE SFUSD BOARD OF EDUCATION APPROVED THE MOU AND A BILINGUAL MEMBER OF THE PHILHARMONIA CHORALE HAS BEEN HIRED BY THE DISTRICT TO STAFF THE PROGRAM. TWENTY-NINE CLASSES WERE SERVED IN 2022. IN-SCHOOL PROGRAMS ELSEWHERE WERE CURTAILED DUE TO COVID RESTRICTIONS.YOUNG ARTIST TRAINING PROGRAMS INCLUDED TWO FREE PUBLIC MASTERCLASSES AT THE SAN FRANCISCO CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC BY SHUNSKE SATO, VIOLIN, IN PERSON AND LIVE STREAMED, AND BY WILLIAM SKEEN, CELLO. AN EDUCATIONAL PARTNERSHIP WITH JUILLIARD415 IN JANUARY INCLUDED A SIDE-BY-SIDE (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O)
  4. $24,776 spent. DEVELOPMENT
  5. BROADCASTSPHILHARMONIA BAROQUE ORCHESTRA IS FEATURED IN A MONTHLY LOCAL ONE-HOUR RADIO PROGRAM BROADCAST ON KDFC.EDUCATION (CONTINUED FROM FORM 990 PAGE 2) REHEARSAL AND PERFORMANCE IN NEW YORKS ALICE TULLY HALL UNDER RICHARD EGARRS DIRECTION.THREE COMMUNITY EVENTS MIXING IT UP VOCALLY, BACH IN BENGAL AND RAD BAROQUE DANCE AND COMMUNITY JAM SESSION SERVED AT LEAST 683 PARTICIPANTS.THREE ADULT EDUCATION PROGRAMS, INCLUDED WILLIAM SKEENS SETTLING THE SCORES; THE MUSICALLY MOSTLY PESACH" STRING QUINTET; AND THE BOCCHERINI MEETS ZAPPA TRIO SONATA PROGRAM SERVED 180 WHILE PRESENTING DEMONSTRATIONS AND SMALL ENSEMBLES.SEND IN THE CLOWNS WAS ADDED TO THE UP ON THE DOWNBEAT BAROQUE DANCE SERIES.BACH IN BENGAL IS A NEW COLLABORATION WITH MOSAIC AMERICA, ALI AKBAR KHAN FOUNDATION, AND SAN FRANCISCO CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC, PRESENTING FOUR NEW COMPOSITIONS BY SITARIST ARJUN VERMA. IN TWO DAYS OF PERFORMANCES AND ACTIVITIES AT MISSION HIGH SCHOOL IN SAN FRANCISCO, 90 WERE SERVED.THE STUDENT ACCESS INITIATIVE WELCOMED 55 STUDENTS AND FACULTY FROM PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO EXPERIENCE PBO PERFORMANCES FREE OF CHARGE.PRE-CONCERT LECTURES SERVED SUBSCRIPTION AUDIENCES.THE MUSIC WITH YOU PROGRAM OFFERED INDIVIDUALIZED INSTRUCTION VIRTUALLY WITH PBO MUSICIANS TO STUDENTS OF ALL ABILITY LEVELS ON A PRIVATE BASIS. [35 STUDENTS SINCE 2020].

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 October 1983.

    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.

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.