Nonprofit screen
Screen a listChicago Symphony Orchestra
Can you give?
Listed with the IRS. Every screen came back clear.
A 501(c)(3) on Publication 78 and the IRS master file.
- IRS nonprofit listing
- No issue
- Revocation
- None
- IRS files
- Agree
- Sanctions
- No match
- IRS bulletin
- No notice
- California
- Registered
- Charity type
- 509(a)(1)
$126Mrevenue
FY2025 · +23% in 3 yrs1,141staff
8 of 8years filed
’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Revenue and spendingRevenueSpendingDeficit
Against similar nonprofits FY2025
Operating margin29.4%
Months of reserve0.8mo
Revenue growth (annualized)+5.9%
Middle half of peersMedianChicago Symphony Orchestra
Where the money goes FY2025 · $89M spent
Programs$68M77%Management and general$16M18%Fundraising$4.6M5%990 FY2025 · Part IX line 25
Worth checking1
Government grants fell 95% in FY2023
$10M in FY2022, $468k in FY2023.
990 Part VIIIIn its favor3
Strong governance
129 of 130 board members independent. Conflict-of-interest and whistleblower policies, audited financial statements.
990 Part VIGrowing faster than peers
Revenue up 6% a year since FY2017, faster than half of similar nonprofits.
990 Part I · peer cohortFunders stay
137 of the 225 funders that gave before FY2021 are still giving.
Funders’ 990-PF grant lists310funders
$16Ma year, last 3 years
27%from its largest funder
Funder’17’18’19’20’21’22’23The Negaunee FoundationSince FY2020$1.7M$2.1M$2.9M$7.9MZell Family FoundationSince FY2020$3.0M$3.1M$1.3M$3.1MJulian Family FoundationEvery year since FY2017$556k$1.3M$1.1M$1.3M$160k$2.0M$685kFulk Family Foundation IncOn and off$125k$150k$225k$1.2M$3.0M$500kNancy a Lauter & Alfred L McDougal CharitableSince FY2019$385k$330k$330k$330k$1.3MThe Bank of America Charitable Foundation IncOn and off$404k$203k$251k$406k$177k$2kDonor-advised giftsDonors not disclosed$668k$1.0M$1.4M$1.7M$1.9M$3.0M$1.5M270 other fundersUp to $1.2M a year each$1.8M$2.1M$2.3M$4.2M$4.4M$3.7M$3.9M
FundedThrough a donor-advised fund