California Symphony Orchestra Inc
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
Since its inception in 1986, the Symphony has included a work by an American composer and featured world-renowned guest artists on many of its programs.
- Income
- $1.6 million
- Spending
- $1.7 million
- Spent on programs
- 51%
- Reserves
- -3.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 79%
- Employees
- 238
- Volunteers
- 25
- Highest pay
- $181,000, exec director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 27 out of 100. Higher than 3% 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 183% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 6% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 11% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1551% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 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 2515 of 15 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 July 31, 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 (3)
- $858,415 spent. Concerts and ProductionThe California Symphony is the resident professional orchestra of the Dean Lesher Regional Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek, California and regularly performs to capacity audiences in the Hofmann Theatre. During a typical season the Symphony serves an audience of more than 33,000 individuals, and thousands more hear the orchestra through Classical 102.1 KDFC radio broadcasts. The Symphony also performs at other locations within the greater San Francisco Bay Area.
- Educational ProgramsMusic education for the children and adults of this community is an integral part of the Symphonys mission, and several programs are offered: Sound Minds, inspired by the El Sistema program of Venezuela, serves at-risk elementary students with music lessons and academic enrichment, completely free of charge to students and families; the family concert and traveling instrument petting zoo; community fairs and events; panel discussions and lectures at local libraries; Fresh Look The Symphony Exposed, an adult education program for those new to classical music; and the Young American Composer-in-Residence Program, a three year residency for emerging young composers, which includes visits to local schools and music programs in addition to commissions and world premieres of new music every year.
- Cost of DevelopmentSupport from corporations and businesses provides essential funding for the California Symphony, enabling us to sustain our tradition of musical creativity and excellence. In return, the Symphony is able to keep ticket prices accessible to the public, support education and outreach programs and enhance the region's quality of life.The California Symphony's supporters and audience make up a highly sophisticated and desirable demographic. We offer our corporate sponsors a unique opportunity to achieve heightened visibility with many of these important business and community leaders through advertising, public relations and promotions.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 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 July 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 November 1991.
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.