Your donation attempt encountered a problem. Please refresh the page to try again.
You're faster than our page! Give the page a little longer to finish loading and try your donation again.
www.bangorsymphonyorchestra.org
PO BOX 1441
Bangor ME 04402-1441
Bangor ME | IRS ruling year: 1968 | EIN: 01-0024645
THE BANGOR SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA PROVIDES POWERFUL, ENRICHING AND DIVERSE MUSICAL EXPERIENCES THROUGH LIVE CONCERT PERFORMANCES AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS OF THE HIGHEST QU ... (More)
THE BANGOR SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA PROVIDES POWERFUL, ENRICHING AND DIVERSE MUSICAL EXPERIENCES THROUGH LIVE CONCERT PERFORMANCES AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS OF THE HIGHEST QUALITY. (Less)
Great
This charity's score is 95%, earning it a Four-Star rating. If this organization aligns with your passions and values, you can give with confidence.
This overall score is calculated from multiple beacon scores: 90% Accountability & Finance, 10% Leadership & Adaptability. Learn more about our criteria and methodology.
We recognize that not all metrics and beacons equally predict a charity’s success. The percentage each beacon contributes to the organization’s overall rating depends on the number of beacons an organization has earned.
Use the tool below to select different beacons to see how the weighting shifts when only one, two, or three beacons are earned.
Rating histories are available for a growing number of rated organizations. Check back later to see if this organization has a rating history!
The IRS is significantly delayed in processing nonprofits' annual tax filings (Forms 990). As a result, the Accountability & Finance score for Bangor Symphony Orchestra is outdated and the overall rating may not be representative of its current operations. Please check with the charity directly for any questions you may have.
Bangor Symphony Orchestra has earned a 94% for the Accountability & Finance beacon. See the metrics below for more information.
This beacon provides an assessment of a charity's financial health (financial efficiency, sustainability, and trustworthiness) and its commitment to governance practices and policies.
This Accountability & Finance score represents IRS Form 990 data up until FY 2020, which is the most recent Form 990 currently available to us.
Learn more
Full Credit
Partial Credit
No Credit
Not ApplicableBoard Composition - 20/20 - 25/25 ptsBoard Composition - 20/20 - 25/25 pts
Charity Navigator looks for at least 3 board members, with more than 50% of those members identified as independent (not salaried).
The presence of an independent governing body is strongly recommended by many industry professionals to allow for full deliberation and diversity of thinking on governance and other organizational matters.
Source: IRS Form 990
Independent Audit or Financial Review - Has Audit/Review - 20/20 ptsIndependent Audit or Financial Review - Has Audit/Review - 20/20 pts
An Audit, Review, or Compilation provides important information about financial accountability and accuracy. Organizations are scored based on their Total Revenue Amount:
| Total Revenue Amount | Expectation to Receive Credit |
|---|---|
| $1 million or higher | Expected to complete an audit |
| $500,000 - $1 million | Expected to complete an audit, review, or compilation |
| Less than $500,000 | No expectation (removed from scoring methodology) |
Source: IRS Form 990
Conflict of Interest Policy - Listed - 3/3 ptsConflict of Interest Policy - Listed - 3/3 pts
Charity Navigator looks for the existence of a conflict of interest policy on the Form 990 as an accountability and transparency measure.
This policy protects the organization and by extension those it serves, when it is considering entering into a transaction that may benefit the private interest of an officer, director and/or key employee of the organization.
Source: IRS Form 990
Board Meeting Minutes - Documented - 3/3 ptsBoard Meeting Minutes - Documented - 3/3 pts
Charity Navigator looks to confirm on the Form 990 that the organization has this process in place as an accountability and transparency measure.
An official record of the events that take place during a board meeting ensures that a contemporaneous document exists for future reference.
Source: IRS Form 990
Document Retention and Destruction - Missing - 0/3 ptsDocument Retention and Destruction - Missing - 0/3 pts
Charity Navigator looks for the existence of a document retention and destruction policy per the Form 990 as an accountability and transparency measure.
This policy establishes guidelines for the handling, backing up, archiving and destruction of documents. These guidelines foster good record keeping procedures that promote data integrity.
Source: IRS Form 990
Whistleblower Policy - Missing - 0/3 ptsWhistleblower Policy - Missing - 0/3 pts
Charity Navigator looks for the existence of a whistleblower policy per the Form 990 as an accountability and transparency measure.
This policy outlines procedures for handling employee complaints, as well as a confidential way for employees to report financial or other types of mismanagement.
Source: IRS Form 990
Website - Listed - 3/3 ptsWebsite - Listed - 3/3 pts
Charity Navigator looks for a website on the Form 990 as an accountability and transparency metric.
Nonprofits act in the public trust and reporting publicly on activities is an important component.
Source: IRS Form 990
Full CreditPartial CreditNo CreditNot ApplicableLiabilities to Assets Ratio - 2.97% - 15/15 ptsLiabilities to Assets Ratio - 2.97% - 15/15 pts
The Liabilities to Assets Ratio is determined by Total Liabilities divided by Total Assets (most recent 990). This ratio is an indicator of an organization’s solvency and/or long-term sustainability.
| Liabilities to Assets Ratio | Amount of Credit Received |
|---|---|
| Less than 50% | Full Credit |
| 50% - 59.9% | Partial Credit |
| 60% or more | No Credit |
Source: IRS Form 990
Program Expense Ratio - 71.44% - 25/25 ptsProgram Expense Ratio - 71.44% - 25/25 pts
The Program Expense Ratio is determined by Program Expenses divided by Total Expense (average of most recent three 990s). This measure reflects the percent of its total expenses a charity spends on the programs and services it exists to deliver.
| Program Expense Percentage | Amount of Credit Received |
|---|---|
| 70% or higher | Full Credit |
| 60% - 69.9% | Partial Credit |
| 50% - 59.9% | Zero Points for Program Expense Score |
| Below 50% | Zero Points for Both Program Expense AND Liabilities to Assets Scores |
Source: IRS Form 990
This chart displays the trend of revenue and expenses over the past several years for this organization, as reported on their IRS Form 990.
Presented here are up to five of this organization's highest compensated employees. This compensation data includes salary, cash bonuses, and expense accounts and is displayed exactly how it is reported to the IRS. The amounts do not include nontaxable benefits, deferred compensation, or other amounts not reported on Form W-2. In some cases, these amounts may include compensation from related organizations. Read the IRS policies for compensation reporting
Source: IRS Form 990 (page 7), filing year 2020
Below are some key data points from the Exempt Organization IRS Business Master File (BMF) for this organization. Learn more about the BMF on the IRS website
Activities:
Other cultural or historical activities (BMF activity code: 119)
Other school related activities (BMF activity code: 059)
Foundation Status:
Organization which receives a substantial part of its support from a governmental unit or the general public 170(b)(1)(A)(vi) (BMF foundation code: 15)
Affiliation:
Independent - the organization is an independent organization or an independent auxiliary (i.e., not affiliated with a National, Regional, or Geographic grouping of organizations). (BMF affiliation code: 3)
The Form 990 is a document that nonprofit organizations file with the IRS annually. We leverage finance and accountability data from it to form Encompass ratings. Click here to search for this organization's Forms 990 on the IRS website (if any are available). Simply enter the organization's name (Bangor Symphony Orchestra) or EIN (010024645) in the 'Search Term' field.
This organization was impacted by COVID-19 in a way that effected their financial health in 2020. This normally would have reduced their star rating. Due to the unprecedented nature of the pandemic, we give charities such as this one the opportunity to share the story of COVID's impact on them, and doing this pauses our revision of their rating. Charities may submit their own pandemic responses through their nonprofit portal.
Bangor Symphony Orchestra reported being impacted by COVID-19 in the following ways:
Program Delivery
Revenue
Balance Sheet
How COVID-19 impacted the organization's operations financially:
Our earned revenue from ticket sales has been negatively impacted during Covid-19, with significant losses compared to pre-Covid sales figures. Our balance sheet, however, has remained strong thanks to growth of our endowment fund as well as strong fundraising and relief grants.
How COVID-19 impacted the organization's delivery of programs:
During 2020 and 2021, programs were mostly "digital only". Still, we continued to present full scale concerts, even if they were streaming with no live audience.
How this organization adapted to changing conditions caused by COVID-19:
We shifted to establishing a streaming concert website, which has continued even as we welcome back in-person audiences. We also continue to carry increased expenses for testing our musicians and maintaining a safe and healthy stage environment. In general, our adaptability shined during the pandemic.
Innovations the organization intends to continue permanently after the pandemic:
Streaming concerts will remain in place permanently, as will certain other digital efficiencies, like Zoom meetings. We added a digital production coordinator position that will be necessary as long as we are streaming concerts.
Not Currently Scored
Bangor Symphony Orchestra cannot currently be evaluated by our Impact & Results methodology because either (A) it is eligible, but we have not yet received data; (B) we have not yet developed an algorithm to estimate its programmatic impact; (C) its programs are not direct services; or (D) it is not heavily reliant on contributions from individual donors.
Note: The absence of a score does not indicate a positive or negative assessment, it only indicates that we have not yet evaluated the organization.
Learn More
Bangor Symphony Orchestra reported its two largest programs on its FY 2020 Form 990 as:
Spent in most recent FY
Percent of program expenses
CONCERTS - THE BSO PRODUCES LIVE CLASSICAL MUSIC PERFORMANCES FOR OVER 10,000 ATTENDEES FROM THROUGHOUT CENTRAL MAINE. THE BSO PRODUCES MULTIPLE CLASSICAL MUSIC CONCERTS, A POPS CONCERT, EDUCATIONAL C ... (More)
CONCERTS - THE BSO PRODUCES LIVE CLASSICAL MUSIC PERFORMANCES FOR OVER 10,000 ATTENDEES FROM THROUGHOUT CENTRAL MAINE. THE BSO PRODUCES MULTIPLE CLASSICAL MUSIC CONCERTS, A POPS CONCERT, EDUCATIONAL CONCERTS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. (Less)
Spent in most recent FY
Percent of program expenses
EDUCATION - THROUGH THE BANGOR SYMPHONY YOUTH ORCHESTRAS AND VARIOUS OUTREACH PROGRAMS. THE BSO PROVIDES ACCESSIBLE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES TO YOUTH IN THE REGION.
Bangor Symphony Orchestra cannot currently be evaluated by our Culture & Community methodology because we have not received data from the charity regarding its Constituent Feedback or Equity Practices strategies.
Note: The absence of a score does not indicate a positive or negative assessment, it only indicates that we have not yet evaluated the organization.
Learn More
Bangor Symphony Orchestra has earned a 100% for the Leadership & Adaptability beacon. See the metrics below for more information.
This beacon provides an assessment of the organization's leadership capacity, strategic thinking and planning, and ability to innovate or respond to changes in constituent demand/need or other relevant social and economic conditions to achieve the organization's mission.
Learn more
Full CreditPartial CreditNo CreditNot ApplicableMission - 10/10 ptsMission - 10/10 pts
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking through articulating the organization's mission
THE BANGOR SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA PROVIDES POWERFUL, ENRICHING AND DIVERSE MUSICAL EXPERIENCES THROUGH LIVE CONCERT PERFORMANCES AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS OF THE HIGHEST QUALITY.
Vision - 10/10 ptsVision - 10/10 pts
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking through articulating the organization’s vision.
The Bangor Symphony Orchestra’s vision is to be a leadership organization for the community and region, which includes being essential to audiences beyond the concert hall; being innovative and taking risks; being accessible with a focus on education; and ensuring an internal culture that prioritizes artistic quality and fiscal responsibility while nurturing what makes the BSO unique.
Source: Nonprofit submitted responses
Goals - 20/20 ptsGoals - 20/20 pts
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking and goal setting through sharing their most important strategic goals.
Goal One: Ensure programmatic relevance in the community
Goal Type: New program(s) based on observed changes in needs among our constituencies/communities served.
Goal Two: Enhance artistic core of the organization, including resuming auditions and addressing orchestra pay scale
Goal Type: Focus on core programs to achieve mission and scale back on programs not seen as core.
Goal Three: Secure the organization's financial future during turbulent times
Goal Type: Invest in the capacity of our organization (financial, management, technical, etc.).
Leadership Development - 15/15 ptsLeadership Development - 15/15 pts
The nonprofit provides evidence of investment in leadership development
We have invested in leadership development by paying to be members of the League of American Orchestras, and encouraging staff to take advantage of webinars, profession development, and industry listserves
Mobilizing for Mission - 15/15 ptsMobilizing for Mission - 15/15 pts
The nonprofit provides evidence of leadership through focusing externally and mobilizing resources for the mission.
Strategic Partnerships
Networks of Collective Impact Efforts
Raising Awareness
The BSO has always prioritized strategic partnerships. Current key program partners include St. Joseph Health Care, the Bangor School Department, and the Collins Center for the Arts. We have also played a leadership role in local arts networks like the Bangor Creative Leaders Network, and the statewide Performing Arts Alliance that developed during the pandemic to advocate for relief efforts and unified safety protocols for the arts. We also regularly deploy marketing and social media to raise awareness of our mission.
Adaptability Story - 30/30 ptsAdaptability Story - 30/30 pts
The nonprofit has an opportunity to tell the story of how the organization adapted to tremendous external changes in the last year.
Throughout Covid-19, the BSO has adapted to changing safety protocols, shifting programming to reflect the full diversity of the classical music world, and undertaken technological innovations including developing a streaming website to meet audience expectations.
Impact & Results
Accountability & Finance
Culture & Community
Leadership & Adaptability
The Giving Basket is having some issues. If you wish to donate, please refresh the page. If the problem persists contact us.
Cart ID: Not Assigned
The Giving Basket is having some issues. If you wish to donate, please refresh the page. If the problem persists contact us.
Cart ID: Not Assigned
