Houston Symphony Endowment
Houston Symphony Endowment maintains strong asset growth and zero liabilities, with no officer compensation reported.
EIN: 208350227 · Houston, TX · NTEE: A11 · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $28.8M |
| Total Expenses | $4.5M |
| Program Spending | 100% |
| Net Assets | $86.5M |
| Transparency Score | 95/100 |
Is Houston Symphony Endowment Legit?
Appears Legitimate
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Houston Symphony Endowment directs 100% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Houston Symphony Endowment
Houston Symphony Endowment (EIN: 208350227) is a nonprofit organization based in Houston, TX, classified under NTEE code A11. The organization reported total revenue of $28.8M and total assets of $99.7M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Houston Symphony Endowment's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Houston Symphony Endowment is a large nonprofit that has been operating for 19 years, with 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 10.7%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $5.1M |
| Total Expenses | $4.5M |
| Surplus / Deficit | +$613K |
| Total Assets | $86.5M |
| Net Assets | $86.5M |
| Operating Margin | 12.0% |
| Months of Reserves | 230.7 months |
Financial Health Grade: A
In 2023, Houston Symphony Endowment reported a surplus of $613K with revenue exceeding expenses, holds 230.7 months of operating reserves (strong position).
Financial Trends
Over 13 years of filings (2011–2023), Houston Symphony Endowment's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.7%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | +66.5% | +11.6% | -1.1% |
| 2022 | -15.6% | +10.3% | -3.3% |
| 2021 | +37.3% | -33.1% | +23.0% |
| 2020 | +20.4% | +44.2% | -2.6% |
| 2019 | -50.9% | -7.6% | -3.1% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 2000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 2007 |
Classification data from ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Additional BMF data may be available after enrichment.
AI Transparency Report
Mission Effectiveness Score
NonprofitSpending's AI analysis rates Houston Symphony Endowment with a Mission Score of 95 out of 100 (Excellent). This score reflects the organization's overall financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance indicators derived from IRS 990 public filings.
Spending Breakdown
- admin: 0%
- programs: 100%
- fundraising: 0%
According to IRS 990 filings, Houston Symphony Endowment allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 0%, programs: 100%, fundraising: 0%. With 100% directed toward programs, this reflects a strong commitment to its charitable mission.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
- The organization reported a surplus of $613K, with revenue exceeding expenses.
Executive Compensation Analysis
The Houston Symphony Endowment consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, indicating that no salaries are paid to officers directly from the endowment, which is a strong positive for financial efficiency and transparency.
Executive compensation data is sourced from IRS 990 filings, which require nonprofits to disclose the compensation of officers, directors, trustees, and key employees. NonprofitSpending analyzes this data relative to the organization's total revenue and sector benchmarks to assess whether executive pay is reasonable.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Houston Symphony Endowment:
- Consistent asset growth, increasing from $73,729,642 in 2014 to $86,515,822 in 2023.
- Zero reported liabilities across all filing periods, indicating strong financial stability.
- 0% officer compensation reported, demonstrating high efficiency and transparency in executive pay.
- Strong financial health with a robust asset base of nearly $100 million.
- Clear focus on endowment management, supporting its mission through asset growth and preservation.
Frequently Asked Questions about Houston Symphony Endowment
Is Houston Symphony Endowment a legitimate charity?
Houston Symphony Endowment (EIN: 208350227) is a registered tax-exempt nonprofit based in Texas. Our AI analysis gives it a Mission Score of 95/100. It has 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record. Total revenue: $28.8M. No red flags identified. 5 strengths noted. Financial health grade: A.
How does Houston Symphony Endowment spend its money?
Houston Symphony Endowment directs 100% of its spending to programs and services. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark.
Are donations to Houston Symphony Endowment tax-deductible?
Houston Symphony Endowment is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 208350227). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
How does Houston Symphony Endowment compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 95/100 (Excellent), Houston Symphony Endowment is above average for NTEE category A11 nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.
Where is Houston Symphony Endowment located?
Houston Symphony Endowment is headquartered in Houston, Texas and files with the IRS under EIN 208350227. It is classified under NTEE code A11.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Houston Symphony Endowment have?
Houston Symphony Endowment has 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record at NonprofitSpending. This extensive filing history provides a strong basis for evaluating long-term financial trends. The most recent filing shows $28.8M in total revenue.
What is the primary purpose of the Houston Symphony Endowment?
The Houston Symphony Endowment's primary purpose is to hold and grow assets to provide financial support to the Houston Symphony, as evidenced by its consistent asset growth and lack of direct program expenses or officer compensation.
How has the endowment's asset base changed over time?
The endowment's assets have grown significantly, from $73,729,642 in 2014 to $86,515,822 in 2023, demonstrating effective long-term financial management.
Does the endowment have any financial liabilities?
No, the Houston Symphony Endowment consistently reports $0 in liabilities across all available filings, indicating a very strong financial position with no debt.
Are there any concerns regarding executive compensation?
No, the organization reports 0% officer compensation in all available filings, which is a positive indicator of financial stewardship and efficiency.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Houston Symphony Endowment showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:
Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Houston Symphony Endowment's revenue has grown by 238.7%, moving from $1.5M to $5.1M. Total assets increased by 23.2% over the same period, from $70.2M to $86.5M. Total functional expenses rose by 14.1%, from $3.9M to $4.5M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Houston Symphony Endowment reported a surplus of $613K, with revenue exceeding expenses.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $5.1M | $4.5M | $86.5M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2022 | $3.1M | $4.0M | $87.5M | $5K | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $3.6M | $3.7M | $90.4M | $0 | — | — |
| 2020 | $2.7M | $5.5M | $73.5M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $2.2M | $3.8M | $75.5M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $4.5M | $4.1M | $77.9M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $2.7M | $5.1M | $74.6M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $2.2M | $4.6M | $72.6M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $8.3M | $4.3M | $75.5M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $6.1M | $4.2M | $73.7M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $3.0M | $4.6M | $71.3M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $4.6M | $4.1M | $66.5M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $1.5M | $3.9M | $70.2M | $0 | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $5.1M, expenses of $4.5M, and assets of $86.5M (revenue +66.5% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $3.1M, expenses of $4.0M, and assets of $87.5M (revenue -15.6% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $3.6M, expenses of $3.7M, and assets of $90.4M (revenue +37.3% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $2.7M, expenses of $5.5M, and assets of $73.5M (revenue +20.4% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $2.2M, expenses of $3.8M, and assets of $75.5M (revenue -50.9% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $4.5M, expenses of $4.1M, and assets of $77.9M (revenue +68.8% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $2.7M, expenses of $5.1M, and assets of $74.6M (revenue +19.9% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $2.2M, expenses of $4.6M, and assets of $72.6M (revenue -73.3% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $8.3M, expenses of $4.3M, and assets of $75.5M (revenue +35.4% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $6.1M, expenses of $4.2M, and assets of $73.7M (revenue +101.9% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $3.0M, expenses of $4.6M, and assets of $71.3M (revenue -34.2% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $4.6M, expenses of $4.1M, and assets of $66.5M (revenue +205.0% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $1.5M, expenses of $3.9M, and assets of $70.2M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Houston Symphony Endowment:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Houston Symphony Endowment is generated by NonprofitSpending's AI analysis engine. The data is sourced from publicly available IRS 990 filings accessed through the ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer API and IRS electronic filing records. The Mission Score, spending breakdown, and other analytical insights are produced by artificial intelligence and should be used as one of multiple factors when evaluating a nonprofit organization.
IRS 990 forms are annual information returns that most tax-exempt organizations must file with the IRS. These forms provide detailed financial information including revenue, expenses, assets, liabilities, and compensation of officers. NonprofitSpending processes this data to provide accessible transparency reports for donors, researchers, and the general public.
Disclaimer
AI-generated analysis based on IRS public records. Not financial or legal advice. Verify information directly with the organization.