Quick charity verification for American Symphony Orchestra Inc (EIN: 131969375)
Verdict: American Symphony Orchestra Inc shows mixed signals
65/100Mission Score
$2.7MRevenue
$2.3MAssets
3Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent negative net asset position (liabilities exceed assets)
Lack of reported officer compensation despite significant revenue
Fluctuating revenue, with a notable dip in 202106 to $1,020,123
Strengths
Generally balanced annual revenues and expenses, indicating operational stability
Consistent asset base over the past decade, hovering around $2.2-$2.3 million
Long history of IRS 990 filings (13 filings), indicating compliance
Spending Breakdown
How American Symphony Orchestra Inc allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
75%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
15%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
10%
Fundraising
Within typical range
How to read this: Well-run charities typically spend 75% or more on programs, keep admin under 25%, and fundraising under 15%. A high program ratio means more of every dollar goes directly to the mission.
How to Interpret This Report
What Red Flags Mean
Red flags are potential warning signs identified by AI analysis of IRS 990 filings. They may indicate issues like declining revenue, high executive pay relative to program spending, lack of transparency, or governance concerns. A single red flag does not necessarily mean an organization is untrustworthy, but multiple flags warrant further investigation before donating.
What Mission Score Measures
The Mission Score (0-100) evaluates how effectively a nonprofit fulfills its stated purpose. It combines multiple factors: program spending efficiency (how much goes to programs vs. overhead), financial health and sustainability, governance quality, transparency in reporting, and consistency of operations over time. A score of 70+ indicates strong alignment with the organization’s mission.
Using This Data for Donation Decisions
Use this report as one input in your decision. Look at the overall Mission Score for a quick assessment, review red flags and strengths for specific concerns, check the spending breakdown to see where money goes, and compare executive compensation to the organization’s size. Consider viewing the full transparency report for deeper analysis, and always verify tax-exempt status with the IRS before making large donations.
Frequently Asked Questions about American Symphony Orchestra Inc
Is American Symphony Orchestra Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, American Symphony Orchestra Inc (EIN: 131969375) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 65/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is American Symphony Orchestra Inc a good charity to donate to?
American Symphony Orchestra Inc has a Mission Score of 65/100. Revenue: $2.7M. Assets: $2.3M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for American Symphony Orchestra Inc?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for American Symphony Orchestra Inc is 131969375. This is the unique tax ID assigned by the IRS.
What is a Mission Score?
The Mission Score is a 0-100 rating that measures how effectively a nonprofit fulfills its stated mission. It factors in program spending efficiency, financial transparency, governance practices, and outcome reporting. Scores above 70 indicate strong mission alignment, 40-69 suggest mixed performance, and below 40 signals potential concerns.
How does American Symphony Orchestra Inc spend its money?
American Symphony Orchestra Inc allocates 75% to programs, 15% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify American Symphony Orchestra Inc's tax-exempt status?
You can verify American Symphony Orchestra Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 131969375 on the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search (TEOS) at apps.irs.gov/app/eos. You can also request copies of their Form 990 directly from the organization, as they are required by law to provide them upon request.
AI Transparency Report
The American Symphony Orchestra Inc. demonstrates consistent operational activity, with revenues and expenses generally balancing out over the past decade. For instance, in the 202306 period, revenues were $2,861,012 against expenses of $2,757,296, indicating a slight surplus. However, a notable concern is the persistent negative net asset position, with liabilities consistently exceeding assets. In 202306, assets were $2,267,946 while liabilities stood at $3,145,904, suggesting a reliance on debt or restricted funds that are not reflected as unrestricted net assets. This financial structure, while not uncommon for arts organizations, warrants closer examination regarding long-term sustainability and donor confidence.
The organization's spending efficiency appears reasonable given the nature of an orchestra, though specific program, administrative, and fundraising expense breakdowns are not provided in the summary data. The absence of reported officer compensation across all filings is a significant transparency point, indicating either a volunteer leadership structure or compensation below reporting thresholds, which is unusual for an organization of this size. This lack of detail makes a full assessment of executive compensation challenging. Overall, while the organization maintains operational equilibrium, its balance sheet structure presents a potential area for improvement in financial health and transparency regarding leadership remuneration.