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Los Angeles Philharmonic Association

EIN 95-1696734 · Los Angeles, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF MUSIC & ARTISTIC DIRECTOR GUSTAVO DUDAMEL, THE LA PHIL OFFERS LIVE PERFORMANCES, MEDIA INITIATIVES, AND LEARNING PROGRAMS THAT INSPIRE AND STRENGTHEN COMMUNITIES IN LOS ANGELES AND BEYOND.THE LOS ANGELES PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA IS THE FOUNDATION OF THE LA PHIL'S OFFERINGS, WHICH ALSO INCLUDE A MULTI-GENRE, MULTIDISCIPLINARY PRESENTING PROGRAM AND SUCH YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS AS YOLA (YOUTH ORCHESTRA LOS ANGELES). PERFORMANCES ARE OFFERED ON THREE HISTORIC STAGES--WALT DISNEY CONCERT HALL, THE HOLLYWOOD BOWL, AND THE FORD--AS WELL AS THROUGH A VARIETY OF MEDIA PLATFORMS. IN ALL ITS ENDEAVORS, THE LA PHIL SEEKS TO ENRICH THE LIVES OF INDIVIDUALS AND COMMUNITIES THROUGH MUSICAL, ARTISTIC, AND LEARNING EXPERIENCES THAT RESONATE IN OUR WORLD TODAY.

Income
$244.6 million
Spending
$221.6 million
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
6.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 62%
Employees
2,654
Volunteers
500
Highest pay
$3.8 million, music & artistic director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 64% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, over $100m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 10% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 13% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 13 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, over $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    62 of 62 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 September 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 (3)
  1. $140.3 million spent. PERFORMANCES BY THE LOS ANGELES PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA AND ARTISTS REPRESENTING A WIDE VARIETY OF GENRES AT WALT DISNEY CONCERT HALL, THE HOLLYWOOD BOWL, AND THE FORD. THIS ITEM ALSO INCLUDES DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL TOURS BY THE ORCHESTRA. THE FORD SUPPORTS CREATIVE ASPIRATIONS, ESPECIALLY DIVERSE PERFORMANCES THAT REPRESENT LOCAL SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES.
  2. $11.6 million spent. THE AFTER-SCHOOL MUSIC EDUCATION PROGRAM YOUTH ORCHESTRA LOS ANGELES (YOLA). YOLA CURRENTLY SERVES MORE THAN 1,300 YOUNG MUSICIANS ACROSS FOUR SITES, PROVIDING THEM WITH FREE INSTRUMENTS, INTENSIVE MUSIC INSTRUCTION, ACADEMIC SUPPORT, LEADERSHIP TRAINING, AND PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES.
  3. $35.0 million spent. OTHER PERFORMANCES, INCLUDING LEASE EVENTS HOSTED BY THIRD-PARTY PROMOTERS, AND PERFORMANCE-RELATED ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING CONCESSIONS, PARKING, RECORDING, AND ROYALTIES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 September 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 February 1935.

    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.