Nonprofit · EIN 57-6000192
CHARLESTON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Also known as FINANCE DEPARTMENT
Tax-exempt · CHARLESTON, SC 29403
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 30, 2025 | 990 | $5,762,301 | $5,501,752 | $260,549 | $11,300,661 | $1,687,968 | $9,612,693 |
| June 30, 2024 | 990 | $5,120,173 | $4,931,970 | $188,203 | $10,727,469 | $1,943,899 | $8,783,570 |
| June 30, 2023 | 990 | $5,363,939 | $4,529,774 | $834,165 | $9,676,718 | $1,431,255 | $8,245,463 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $3,505,433
- of which government grants
- $343,461
- Program service revenue
- $2,122,375
- Investment income
- $96,631
- Other revenue
- $37,862
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $0
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $162,225
- Other salaries and wages
- $3,178,064
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $3,340,289
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Occupancy
- $161,500
- Depreciation
- $3,399
- Program services (functional)
- $4,415,299
- Management and general (functional)
- $448,304
- Fundraising (functional)
- $638,149
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $10,727,469
- Total assets, end of year
- $11,300,661
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $1,687,968
- Net assets, end of year
- $9,612,693
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $360,240
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $8,384,509
- Net assets with donor restrictions
- $1,228,184
- Gross receipts
- $5,762,301
- Employees
- 338
- Volunteers
- 250
- Year formed
- 1936
- State of legal domicile
- SC
From the e-filed returns the IRS publishes as XML (latest three processing years; amended returns replace the original). PDF copies at the IRS.
Officers, directors and key employees
As listed on the 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025, highest compensation first.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MICHAEL A SMITH | CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Officer | 60 | $162,225 | $15,192 |
| EDWARD HART | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| TAYLOR CHARPIA | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CLYDE HIERS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KAY MAYBANK | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| WENDI HUFF | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| TRACY GROOMS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| RENARD HARRIS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ANNE OLSON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| TIFFANY REED SILVERMAN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| GAIL CORVETTE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| STUART AMES | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DR AARON P LESHER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MICHAEL MOODY | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DEBORAH KENNEDY KENNARD | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
12 more people on this return
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| WOODY KERR | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| RUTH ANN MCSPADDEN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| JABOBO MINTZER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| ANDREA ROSE ROUSSEAUX | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| BRIAN OLASOV | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| DEBRA SONKIN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| JULIE ZIFF | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| RAJAN GOVINDAN | TREASURER Officer | 1 | $0 |
| DR BOBBY BAKER | PRESIDENT Officer | 1 | $0 |
| SUSAN SULLIVAN | SECRETARY Officer | 1 | $0 |
| ANNE W CLEVELAND | VICE PRESIDENT Officer | 1 | $0 |
| CHRIS STAUBES | VICE PRESIDENT Officer | 1 | $0 |
990 for the year ended June 30, 2024: 28 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MICHAEL A SMITH | CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Officer | 60 | $162,500 | $12,968 |
| EDWARD HART | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| PATRICK ILDERTON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| TAYLOR CHARPIA | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CLYDE HIERS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| NATALIE HAM | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JODI RUSH | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| GERALD TANENBAUM | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KAY MAYBANK | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MICHAEL MOODY | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CYNTHIA MABRY | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| TRACY GROOMS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ELLEN DAVIS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| RENARD HARRIS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ANNE OLSON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DR SHARESE PEARSON-BUSH | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| TIFFANY REED SILVERMAN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| GAIL CORVETTE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| STUART AMES | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ANNE W CLEVELAND | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DR AARON P LESHER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CHRIS STAUBES | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| RAJAN GOVINDAN | TREASURER Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DR BOBBY BAKER | PRESIDENT Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DAVID SAVARD | VICE PRESIDENT Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| SUSAN SULLIVAN | SECRETARY Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JERRY EVANS | VICE PRESIDENT Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| WENDI HUFF | VICE PRESIDENT Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended June 30, 2023: 26 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MICHAEL A SMITH | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Officer | 60 | $131,125 | $4,192 |
| EDWARD HART | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| PATRICK ILDERTON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| TAYLOR CHARPIA | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CLYDE HIERS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| NATALIE HAM | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JODI RUSH | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| GERALD TANENBAUM | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KAY MAYBANK | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MICHAEL MOODY | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CYNTHIA MABRY | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| TRACY GROOMS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ELLEN DAVIS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| RENARD HARRIS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JON OLSON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DR SHARESE PEARSON-BUSH | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| TIFFANY REED SILVERMAN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| SUDHA SRINIVASAN TEKI | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MARTY PENKHUS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| YURIY BEKKER | CONCERTMASTER Officer | 60 | $0 | $0 |
| RAJAN GOVINDAN | TREASURER Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DR BOBBY BAKER | PRESIDENT Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DAVID SAVARD | VICE PRESIDENT Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| SUSAN SULLIVAN | SECRETARY Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JERRY EVANS | VICE PRESIDENT Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| WENDI HUFF | VICE PRESIDENT Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 480 E BAY ST STE F, CHARLESTON, SC 29403-6356
- In care of
- % MICHAEL SMITH
- Principal officer (990 for 2024)
- MICHAEL A SMITH, 480 EAST BAY STREET STE F, CHARLESTON, SC 29403
- Signed the 990
- MICHAEL A SMITH, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
- Phone
- (843) 723-7528
- Return prepared by
- VERIS LLC
Mission
THE CHARLESTON SYMPHONY'S MISSION IS TO INSPIRE AND ENGAGE THE COMMUNITY THROUGH EXCEPTIONAL MUSICAL PERFORMANCES AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS.
Program accomplishments
- THE SYMPHONY PRESENTED OVER 75 CONCERTS AND SPECIAL EVENTS AT MORE THAN A DOZEN VENUES THROUGHOUT THE 2024-2025 SEASON, SHOWCASING BOTH INTERNATIONALLY RENOWNED MUSICIANS AND LOCAL ARTISTS. THE MASTERWORKS AND POPS SERIES FEATURED A REMARKABLE LINEUP OF LEGENDARY CONDUCTORS LIKE HUGH WOLFF, ANDREW GRAMS, HANS GRAF, MICHAEL FRANCIS, AND JOANN FALLETTA, TO SUPERSTAR SOLOISTS INCLUDING BYRON STRIPLING, DREW PETERSEN, RACHEL BARTON PINES, JEAN LOUISA KELLY, TESSA LARK, GEORGE LI, AND MORE. WITH A RANGE OF BOLD AND ELEVATED PROGRAMS, THE ORCHESTRA CHAMPIONED GROUNDBREAKING WORKS LIKE PAUL MORAVEC'S SANCTUARY ROAD WHILE ALSO PERFORMING TRADITIONAL REPERTOIRE BY BEETHOVEN, BERLIOZ, COPLAND, DEBUSSY, MAHLER, AND RACHMANINOFF. THE SYMPHONYS COMMITMENT TO ARTISTIC EXCELLENCE RESULTED IN ANOTHER YEAR OF RECORD SUBSCRIPTION AND SINGLE TICKET RESULTS.ON FEBRUARY 26, 2025, THE CHARLESTON SYMPHONY MADE HISTORY WITH ITS CARNEGIE HALL DEBUT, FEATURING PERFORMANCES BY THE CHARLESTON SYMPHONY YOUTH ORCHESTRA AND THE COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON ORCHESTRA. A CELEBRATION OF CHARLESTON ELECTRIFIED THE AUDIENCE WITH A PROGRAM HONORING THE CITYS RICH MUSICAL HERITAGE, FEATURING EDWARD HARTS A CHARLESTON CONCERTO AND THE WORLD PREMIERE OF THOMAS CABANISSS CHARLESTON MIX. THIS LANDMARK PERFORMANCE MARKED A BOLD STEP ONTO THE NATIONAL STAGE, SHOWCASING CHARLESTON AS A VIBRANT HUB FOR ORCHESTRAL MUSIC.Expenses $3,835,336 · revenue $2,069,115
- THE SYMPHONY IS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING HIGH-QUALITY ARTISTIC AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING THAT IS ACCESSIBLE TO INDIVIDUALS OF ALL AGES AND BACKGROUNDS. EACH OF THE SYMPHONY'S 24 CORE MUSICIANS DEDICATES APPROXIMATELY ONE-THIRD OF THEIR PROFESSIONAL TIME TO EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT INITIATIVES, COLLECTIVELY REACHING MORE THAN 20,000 STUDENTS ANNUALLY ACROSS BERKELEY, CHARLESTON, AND DORCHESTER COUNTIES.THE CHARLESTON SYMPHONY YOUTH ORCHESTRAS PROGRAM INCLUDES TWO ENSEMBLES SERVING ADVANCED MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL MUSICIANS IN THE LOWCOUNTRY: CHARLESTON SYMPHONY YOUTH ORCHESTRA (CSYO) AND CHARLESTON SYMPHONY YOUTH SINFONIETTA (CSYS)DURING THE SEASON, 96 STUDENTS IN GRADES 4-12 PARTICIPATED IN WEEKLY REHEARSALS AND MULTIPLE PUBLIC PERFORMANCES. STUDENTS PERFORMED AT THE CHARLESTON GAILLARD CENTER AND CARNEGIE HALL IN NEW YORK CITY. CSYO AND CSYS MEMBERS ALSO PERFORMED ALONGSIDE PROFESSIONAL SYMPHONY MUSICIANS DURING A MASTERWORKS CONCERT CONDUCTED BY MAESTRA JOANN FALLETTA.STUDENTS PARTICIPATED IN AN ANNUAL RETREAT FOCUSED ON ENSEMBLE DEVELOPMENT AND MUSICIANSHIP. MANY ALSO PERFORMED IN CHAMBER ENSEMBLES THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY. THE CSYO COMPLETED ITS FIRST TOUR TO NEW YORK CITY, INCLUDING A PERFORMANCE AT CARNEGIE HALL.THE SYMPHONY PRESENTED TWO SOLD-OUT YOUNG PEOPLE'S CONCERTS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CHARLESTON GAILLARD CENTER AND CARNEGIE HALL'S LINK UP PROGRAM, FEATURING THE ORCHESTRA MOVES. APPROXIMATELY 3,000 STUDENTS FROM 21 SCHOOLS PARTICIPATED. TITLE I SCHOOLS RECEIVED COMPLIMENTARY TICKETS AND TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE. PARTICIPATING TEACHERS ATTENDED A CURRICULUM WORKSHOP AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SCHOOL YEAR TO SUPPORT CLASSROOM INTEGRATION OF PROGRAM MATERIALS.CSO MUSICIANS PERFORMED FREE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AT 54 SCHOOLS THROUGHOUT THE TRI-COUNTY REGION, REACHING NEARLY 9,500 STUDENTS, APPROXIMATELY 50% OF WHOM ATTEND TITLE I SCHOOLS. PROGRAMS ARE TAILORED TO GRADE LEVEL AND CURRICULUM NEEDS AND INCLUDE ENSEMBLE PERFORMANCES, SECTIONAL COACHING, AND INSTRUCTIONAL SUPPORT FOR SCHOOL MUSIC PROGRAMS.THE SYMPHONY CONTINUED ITS EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT FELLOWSHIP (FOURTH YEAR) AND ORCHESTRAL FELLOWSHIP (THIRD SEASON). DURING THE YEAR, FIVE ORCHESTRAL FELLOWS AND TWO EXECUTIVE FELLOWS WERE SELECTED THROUGH A COMPETITIVE PROCESS. FELLOWS PARTICIPATE IN MAIN SERIES PERFORMANCES, EDUCATION PROGRAMS, COMMUNITY INITIATIVES, AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES DESIGNED TO PREPARE EMERGING ARTS LEADERS AND MUSICIANS FOR CAREERS IN THE NONPROFIT PERFORMING ARTS SECTOR.Expenses $579,963 · revenue $53,260
What it must file and when
IRS records say it files Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N. Its accounting year ends in June, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.
| Tax year | Year ended | Due | IRS public records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | June 30, 2026 | November 16, 2026 | Not due yet |
| 2024 | June 30, 2025 | November 17, 2025 | 990 on file |
| 2023 | June 30, 2024 | November 15, 2024 | 990 on file |
IRS record
- EIN
- 57-6000192
- Tax-exempt status
- 501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
- Foundation status
- Publicly supported organization (509(a)(2))
- Donations deductible (Pub 78)
- Public charity, 50% deduction limit
- Exempt since
- 1946
- Accounting year ends
- June
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Arts, culture and humanities (A690)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $11,300,661
- Income (IRS master file)
- $5,762,301
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | June 2025 | $5,762,301 | $5,501,752 | $11,300,661 | IRS |
| 990 | June 2024 | $5,120,173 | $4,931,970 | $10,727,469 | XML |
| 990 | June 2023 | $5,363,939 | $4,529,774 | $9,676,718 | XML |
| 990 | June 2022 | $9,194,585 | $3,888,659 | $8,106,651 | IRS |
| 990 | June 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | June 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | June 2019 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | June 2018 | – | – | – | IRS |
990-N: the IRS bulk file holds only the latest e-Postcard per organization; earlier years come from archived copies of that file since 2020 and can have gaps (the IRS e-Postcard search lists every one). 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-T: every e-filed return in the IRS e-file index since 2019; XML for the latest three processing years, amounts from the IRS Statistics of Income extracts before that. PDF copies and determination letters at the IRS (search EIN 57-6000192).
Questions about CHARLESTON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
- What is the EIN of CHARLESTON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of CHARLESTON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA is 57-6000192.
- Is CHARLESTON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1946.
- Are donations to CHARLESTON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does CHARLESTON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA file?
- Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N.
- When is the next return of CHARLESTON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA due?
- The return for tax year 2025 (the year ending June 30, 2026) is due November 16, 2026. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
- When did CHARLESTON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA last file with the IRS?
- The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended June 2025.
- Who is the principal officer of CHARLESTON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA?
- The 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 names MICHAEL A SMITH.
- Who are the officers and directors of CHARLESTON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA?
- The 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 lists 27 people; 1 received compensation from the organization, the highest $162,225 (MICHAEL A SMITH, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER).
- How much revenue does CHARLESTON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA have?
- On its 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 it reported revenue of $5,762,301, expenses of $5,501,752 and total assets of $11,300,661 at year end.
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