Better Business Bureau Report for
Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra

Better Business Bureau Report issued December 2011
Better Business Bureau Report expires December 2013


This BBB Accredited charity meets all 20 Standards for Charity Accountability. Find out more...


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Charity Contact Information

Name: Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
Address: 1241 Elm Street
  Cincinnati, OH 45210
Phone: (513) 621-1919
Web Address: www.cincinnatisymphony.org
Also known as:Cincinnati Pops Orchestra
Music and Event Management, Inc.
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Better Business Bureau Comments

Year, State Incorporated:
Affiliates: None
Stated Purpose: To present the highest quality performances of music, bringing national and international distinction to the orchestra and the community; as well as to delight and educate diverse audiences of all ages, and enhance the cultural vitality and quality of life in the region.

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Evaluation Conclusions

              

Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra (CSO) meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.
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Programs

              

The primary program activity of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra (CSO) consists of concerts. These concerts include Classical and Pops subscription concerts, as well as Young People's and Lollipop Family Concerts at Music Hall. The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra is also the official Orchestra for the May Festival Chorus, the Cincinnati Opera, and the Cincinnati Ballet's Nutcracker. According to the charity, 134 concerts were performed in the 2009-2010 season. The CSO establishes a relationship with the community and promotes active participation in music through its programs entitled Sound Discoveries: Music for Life, Music for the Community, Music for a Career. According to CSO, each season its Young People's Concerts at Music Hall serve 22,000 school children from over 150 Tristate schools. As part of its program Sound Discoveries: Music for Life, CSO provides Workshops for Educators, which include a two hour workshop, dinner, and up to four tickets for the evening's concert. As part of the CSO's program Sound Discoveries: Music for a Career, the Nouveau Chamber Players are a group of 10 African-American high school string students who are provided free chamber music lessons and instruction by a local violinist and who often perform prior to CSO concerts and at community gatherings. The CSO's Multicultural Awareness Council works to engage local communities through Open Door and Classical Roots community concerts. The Cincinnati Symphony Youth Orchestra provides an opportunity for young musicians to develop their talents in an environment that goes beyond a traditional school music program. Students attend weekly rehearsals at University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music, and are given the opportunity to attend CSO concerts, to study with CSO musicians, and to perform in the annual CSO/CSYO joint concert. Scholarships available to CSYO members.

For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2009, CSO's program expenses were:

  
Orchestra Concerts, Principally Artistic Personnel, Production, and Advertising 17,929,118
Contemporary Concerts 15,787,614
Total Program Expenses: $33,716,732
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Governance

              

Chief Executive : Mr. Arthur (Trey) Devey, President
Compensation*:

Chair of the Board: Ms. Melody Sawyer Richardson
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation: Not Provided

Board Size: 46

Paid Staff Size: 160

*Compensation information not provided to BBB.
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Fund Raising

              

Method(s) Used:

direct mail appeals, invitations to fundraising events, grant proposals, Internet, planned giving arrangements
Fundraising costs were 8% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $13,015,198, are donations received as a result of fundraising activities.)
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Tax Status

              

This charity is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.
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Financial

              

The following information is based on CSO's audited financial statements - combined for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2009.

Source of Funds  
Operating Revenue - Contemporary Concerts 17,915,398
Business, Sponsorships, Other Contributions, and Other Revenues 9,140,183
Operating Revenue - Orchestra Concerts 6,584,421
Fine Arts Fund Contributions 3,875,015
Interest and Dividends, Net of Fees 898,796
Federal, State, and Local Government Grants 316,362
Net Unrealized and Realized Losses on Funds Held by Others for the Benefit of CSO -2,195,093
Net Unrealized and Realized Losses on Investment -8,770,561
Total Income $27,764,521


chart



Uses of Funds as a % of Total Expenses

Programs: 86%  Fund Raising: 3%  Administrative: 11% 

Total income   $27,764,521
  Program expenses $33,716,732
  Fund raising expenses 1,069,251
  Administrative expenses 4,339,810
 
Total expenses   $39,125,793
Expenses in Excess of Income   (11,361,272)
Beginning net assets   81,761,003
Ending net assets   66,042,671
Total liabilities   16,810,682
Total assets   $82,853,353


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