San Francisco Symphony

Analysis

San Francisco Symphony is a registered charity in United States, based in San Francisco, CA. It received its IRS tax-exemption ruling in January 1955, 71 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 (donations from the general public) under section 501(c)(3), and contributions to it are listed as tax-deductible.

In the financial year ending August 2023, San Francisco Symphony reported income of $71.1m and spending of $80.9m, spending 114% of what it took in. Across the 5 years on record, from August 2019 to August 2023, income fell from $93.6m to $71.1m (-24%), an average of -6.6% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to August 2022, when income rose by 118%. Over the whole period it spent 82% of the income it received.

Among 45,478 United States charities whose main cause is arts, culture, heritage and science and that reported income, San Francisco Symphony 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 99th percentile within CA. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Geneva Foundation 04-15-93 ($70.8m), Detroit Institute of Arts ($71.2m) and Roundabout Theatre Company Inc ($69.9m).

On its Form 990 for the period ending August 2023, revenue came from contributions and grants 58% and program service revenue 38% of the total. Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees was $597k (0.7% of expenses). Other salaries and wages came to $39.4m. It paid $380k in professional fundraising fees. At year end it held assets of $397.2m against liabilities of $21.6m, net assets of $375.7m. It reported 941 employees.