Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra

Analysis

Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra is a registered charity in United States, based in Saint Louis, MO. It received its IRS tax-exemption ruling in October 1926, 100 years ago. Its declared purposes cover arts, culture and humanities, which this site groups under arts, culture, heritage and science. The IRS classifies it as a publicly supported organisation (gross receipts test) under section 501(c)(3), and contributions to it are listed as tax-deductible.

In the financial year ending August 2023, Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra reported income of $52.2m and spending of $32.3m, leaving 38% of income unspent that year. Across the 5 years on record, from August 2019 to August 2023, income grew from $39.2m to $52.2m (+33%), an average of +7.4% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to August 2021, when income rose by 45%. Over the whole period it spent 57% of the income it received.

Among 45,478 United States charities whose main cause is arts, culture, heritage and science and that reported income, Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra sits at the 100th percentile: it is one of the largest 1% in its cause. Against every charity in United States with reported income it ranks in the 99th percentile, and in the 98th percentile within MO. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include RSF Social Finance Inc ($51.9m), Walton Arts Center Council Inc ($52.3m) and American Conservatory Theatre Foundation ($51.9m).

On its Form 990 for the period ending August 2023, revenue came from contributions and grants 79% and program service revenue 14% of the total. Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees was $1.2m (3.7% of expenses). Other salaries and wages came to $16.3m. It paid $164k in professional fundraising fees. At year end it held assets of $186.7m against liabilities of $56.0m, net assets of $130.7m. It reported 556 employees.