Boston Symphony Orchestra Inc is a 501(c)(3) organization based in Boston, Massachusetts, registered in 1920, with $117,090,967 in FY2023 revenue. CharityIndex grades it A, and it directs about 80% of spending to programs.
Revenue (FY2023)
$117.1M
▲ 25.6% vs prior year
Arts & Culture median: $159K
Expenses (FY2023)
$123.7M
Net assets
$618.4M
Employees
949
Measures how much of every dollar spent actually reaches programs, plus what it costs to raise $100 of donations. The worse of the two measures sets the letter (85%+ to programs is an A; under $15 to raise $100 is an A), averaged over the three most recent filings. For Boston Symphony Orchestra Inc: 80% to programs · $20 to raise $100 earns a B+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
Measures whether the organization is built to last: how many months its reserves would cover expenses (3+ months earns an A-range score, but hoarding 5+ years of budget is capped) and whether it runs a surplus or a deficit. For Boston Symphony Orchestra Inc: 60 mo reserves · -6% margin earns a B+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
Checks how the organization is run, from its own Form 990: an independent board majority, a board of five or more, conflict-of-interest, whistleblower and document-retention policies, and independently audited financials. The share of disclosed checks that pass sets the letter. For Boston Symphony Orchestra Inc: 6 of 6 checks met earns a A+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
Counts five disclosure signals: a recent filing, a mission statement, program descriptions, a listed website, and the full expense breakdown. More disclosure, better letter. For Boston Symphony Orchestra Inc: 5 of 5 disclosure signals earns a A+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
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The mission of the boston symphony orchestra (bso) is to foster and maintain an organization dedicated to the making of music consonant with the highest aspirations of the musical art, creating performances and providing educational and training programs at the highest level of excellence.
Education and community programs are integral to the bso's mission. in boston: 3,700 high school students attended one of the bso's high school open rehearsals, giving them and their teachers a rare opportunity to watch as a work-in-progress became a work of art, exposing students to a powerful artistic experience. symphony hall was bursting with students during an open rehearsal where yo-yo ma performed shostakovich's cello concerto no. 1 and no. 2. the bso's three youth concerts engaged 5,533 third - ninth grade students from boston and well beyond. the orchestra performed excerpts by beethoven, tchaikovsky, and william grant still as conductor thomas wilkins talked about friendship, and the importance of listening and of being heard. the students felt his warmth radiate from the stage as he communicated, "this music is for you. this orchestra is here for you." they responded in kind. each concert ended with a rousing standing ovation. to honor veterans, the boston pops gave a free holiday pops military preview performance for more than 2,000 veterans, their families, and active service members, filling the hall with a joy and sending a powerful message of appreciation for these men and women. this realization of one of keith lockhart's dreams will become an annual offering. the pops gave a holiday pops performance for people with autism and those who care for them. the bso made many accommodations to welcome this population so they and their loved one could share a quintessential new england tradition as a family. musicians of the boston pops brought holiday cheer to patients at boston children's hospital. 1,360 people from across boston gathered as symphony hall opened its doors for a free concert for the city that began with a celebration of local musicians performing before the concert and a performance by boston symphony orchestra led by andris nelsons, keith lockhart, thomas wilkins, and james burton-highlighting the orchestra's range and skill. the bso forged connections with boston arts academy, project step, the greater roxbury arts and cultural center, and in the berkshires with multi-cultural bridge, kid 4 harmony, and latina413 and continued to work with boston public schools and the berkshires superintendents roundtable. throughout the year, approximately 20,000 children, high school and college students, adults under the age of 40, veterans, ma public school teachers, health care workers, and people who are eligible for public benefits were able to attend concerts thanks to free and discounted tickets. at tanglewood:founded in 1940, the tanglewood music center (tmc), the bso's summer music academy welcome 133 fellows from 31 u.s. states including puerto rico and 17 countries. during eight weeks, the tmc fellows benefitted from coaching by 108 instructors who were bso players, visiting artists, and tmc faculty as they prepared for more than 30 chamber and orchestra concerts. tmc orchestra concerts were conducted by andris nelsons, dima slobodeniouk, alan gilbert, and stefan asbury. the two conducting fellows stepped in when hannu lintu canceled his appearance with the tmc orchestra on august 19 due to an injury. in summer 2024, the tanglewood learning institute (tli) presented 39 programs last summer and three community concerts during the fall/winter/spring. these programs created opportunities for people to discover and connect with various artforms and to discover a sense of belonging at tanglewood. summer programs included a new series that brought families with young children to tanglewood for an arts-rich experience that was offered in partnership with norman rockwell museum and wbur's circle round. tli also programmed a new six-part series: the art of conducting where audiences gained an inside look at how conductors think about and teach their craft. conductors andris nelsons, dima slobodeniouk, and thomas wilkins one worked closely with the two tmc conducting fellows giving immediate and hands-on guidan
Revenue grew from $100.7M (FY2013) to $117.1M (FY2023) across 11 reported years.
Financial snapshot
Operating margin
-5.7%
Spent more than it raised in the latest fiscal year.
Total assets
$680.3M
Total liabilities
$61.9M
Net assets
$618.4M
Salaries & benefits
$63.9M
52% of expenses
Board members
43
43 independent
| Fiscal year | Revenue | Expenses | Net assets | Total assets | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $117,090,967▲25.6% | $123,724,110▲11.8% | $618,378,488▲5.3% | $680,310,474▲4.1% | 990 |
| 2022 | $93,229,092▼19.7% | $110,636,685▲12.2% | $587,087,590▲0.9% | $653,461,654▼0.2% | 990 |
| 2021 | $116,038,188▲29.1% | $98,574,259▲54.0% | $581,746,004▼12.1% | $654,476,272▼12.2% | 990 |
| 2020 | $89,872,398▼2.9% | $64,012,623▼22.7% | $661,820,337▲23.7% | $745,262,219▲19.1% | 990 |
| 2019 | $92,537,202▼3.5% | $82,833,685▼24.5% | $535,033,042▲7.8% | $625,657,259▲5.5% | 990 |
| 2018 | $95,876,005▼13.3% | $109,772,097▲3.9% | $496,250,552▼7.9% | $593,071,088▼2.7% | 990 |
| 2017 | $110,596,695▲29.9% | $105,633,470▲1.9% | $538,568,595▲6.2% | $609,309,578▲3.2% | 990 |
| 2016 | $85,167,757▲0.5% | $103,630,393▲4.3% | $507,037,967▲10.5% | $590,620,270▲5.8% | 990 |
| 2015 | $84,738,790▼20.7% | $99,336,161▲8.8% | $458,990,621▼3.4% | $558,309,675 | 990 |
| 2014 | $106,807,329▲6.1% | $91,321,051▲3.1% | $475,275,221▼7.1% | $558,346,417▼2.2% | 990 |
| 2013 | $100,653,882 | $88,543,401▲1.5% | $511,685,373▲9.4% | $571,114,027▲8.9% | 990 |
| 2012 | — | $87,208,693▲1.6% | $467,849,199▲11.3% | $524,519,502▲6.1% | 990 |
| 2011 | — | $85,844,758▲2.7% | $420,529,271▼4.0% | $494,201,024▲0.1% | 990 |
| 2010 | — | $83,582,205▼0.2% | $438,166,432▲10.5% | $493,519,685▲7.7% | 990 |
| 2009 | — | $83,741,741 | $396,423,608 | $458,330,094 | 990 |
Original Form 990 PDFs (the Form column) are served by ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, as filed with the IRS. Create a free account to download the CSV report.
Highest-paid: Gail Samuel — $1,706,083 (1.38% of total expenses)
| Name | Title | Hours/week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gail Samuel | Former President and Ceo | 0 | $1,706,083 |
| Jeffrey Dunn | Former President & Ceo | 0 | $561,491 |
| Maureen Flores | Chief Development Officer | 40 | $410,826 |
| Chad Smith | President & Chief Executive Officer | 50 | $368,806 |
| Timothy Genis | Timpani | 40 | $346,655 |
| John A Ferrillo Jr | Principal Oboe | 40 | $338,377 |
| Alexander Velinzon | Associate Concertmaster | 40 | $333,147 |
| Richard Sebring | Principal Horn | 40 | $320,184 |
| Toby Oft | Principal Trombone | 40 | $305,176 |
| Katherine Decelles | Clerk of the Board (until April 2024) | 40 | $213,174 |
| Paul Eric Krauss | Chief Financial Officer | 40 | $71,104 |
| Albert A Holman III | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Andrew S Plump | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Angela Q Crispi | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Barbara W Hostetter | Chair | 2 | — |
| Blair Trippe | Trustee, Ex-officio | 2 | — |
| Brent L Henry | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Caroline Taylor | Trustee | 2 | — |
| David Altshuler | Trustee | 2 | — |
| David C Howse | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Contractor | Services | Paid |
|---|---|---|
| Norbella Inc | Media Strategy | $2,304,962 |
| Andris Nelsons | Services of A. Nelsons | $1,730,000 |
| Travtours Inc | Travel Services | $1,374,209 |
| Boston Gourmet Management | Food Services | $1,298,099 |
| Tisbury Tours Inc | Concert Performances | $1,247,955 |
206 grants to Boston Symphony Orchestra Inc totaling $56.9M, reported by foundations on their Schedule I filings — showing the 15 most recent.
| Grantmaker | Purpose | Year | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fidelity Non-profit Management Foundation | Renovation | 2024 | $5,000,000 |
| The Us Charitable Gift Trust | For recipient's exempt purpose | 2024 | $128,400 |
| American Endowment Foundation | Arts, culture | 2024 | $112,250 |
| Gs Donor Advised Philanthropy Fund For Wealth Management Inc | Arts and culture | 2024 | $100,834 |
| Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc | Unrestricted general support | 2024 | $100,000 |
| American Online Giving Foundation Inc | General support | 2024 | $70,070 |
| Jewish Communal Fund | In furtherance of grantee's tax-exempt purpose | 2024 | $43,600 |
| Ayco Charitable Foundation | Arts and culture | 2024 | $38,100 |
| University Impact | To support organization | 2024 | $30,000 |
| The Rhode Island Community Foundation | Art - arts and culture (primary) | 2024 | $29,587 |
| Raymond James Charitable Endowment Fund | General support | 2024 | $16,750 |
| Amalgamated Charitable Foundation Inc | General operating support | 2024 | $15,000 |
| Fjc | General operating support | 2024 | $11,600 |
| Bny Mellon Charitable Gift Fund | To further the organization's exempt purpose | 2024 | $8,000 |
| Greater Horizons | Arts & culture | 2024 | $7,100 |
1 grant totaling $40K in FY2023. All grants made by Boston Symphony Orchestra Inc →
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Project Step Inc Symphony Hall | To support high-quality music education and training programs. | $40,000 |
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Data for Boston Symphony Orchestra Inc (EIN 04-2103550) comes from the IRS Business Master File and e-filed Form 990 returns, via CharityIndex. Figures reflect what the organization reported to the IRS for each fiscal year.