Nashville Symphony Association does not meet the following 4 Standards for Charity Accountability:
Standard 4 (Compensated Board Members)
Not more than one or 10% (whichever is greater) directly or indirectly compensated person(s) serving as voting member(s) of the board. Compensated members shall not serve as the board's chair or treasurer.
Nashville Symphony does not meet this Standard because:
- Six members out of the 54 member board of directors (11%) are directly compensated as employees of the organization.
Standard 6 (Board Policy on Effectiveness)
Have a board policy of assessing, no less than every two years, the organization's performance and effectiveness and of determining future actions required to achieve its mission.
Nashville Symphony does not meet this Standard because:
- The board of directors does not have a written policy stating that, at least every two years, an appraisal be done assessing the organization’s performance and effectiveness and determining future actions required to achieve its mission.
Standard 7 (Board Approval of Written Report on Effectiveness)
Submit to the organization's governing body, for its approval, a written report that outlines the results of the aforementioned performance and effectiveness assessment and recommendations for future actions.
Nashville Symphony does not meet this Standard because:
- The organization did not produce a written report outlining the results of its July 2020 effectiveness assessment.
Standard 18 (Privacy for Written Appeals & Internet Privacy)
Address privacy concerns of donors by (a) providing in written appeals, at least annually, a means (e.g., such as a check off box) for both new and continuing donors to inform the charity if they do not want their name and address shared outside the organization, (b) providing a clear, prominent and easily accessible privacy policy on any of its websites that tells visitors (i) what information, if any, is being collected about them by the charity and how this information will be used, (ii) how to contact the charity to review personal information collected and request corrections, (iii) how to inform the charity (e.g., a check off box) that the visitor does not wish his/her personal information to be shared outside the organization, and (iv) what security measures the charity has in place to protect personal information.
Nashville Symphony does not meet this Standard because:
- The organization's website, https://www.nashvillesymphony.org, does not include what security measures are in place to protect personal information that is collected.
- Although the organization shares personal information about its donors with others, it does not provide a means (such as a check off box) in its direct mail appeals for donors to opt out of having their information shared.
The BBB Wise Giving Alliance requested but did not receive complete information from the organization and is unable to verify the organization's compliance with the following Standard(s) for Charity Accountability:
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15
Nashville Symphony Association meets the remaining 14 Standards for Charity Accountability.
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Year, State Incorporated
1946, TN
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Also Known As
Schermerhorn Symphony Center
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Stated Purpose
"to inspire, entertain, educate, and serve through musical performance, innovation, collaboration, and inclusion."
Nashville Symphony Association (Nashville Symphony) reports that its orchestra consists of 83 full-time musicians, who perform more than 160 concerts annually that explore classical music, musicals, and popular composers. The organization states that it serves thousands of children and families across the 41 counties in Middle Tennessee at Schermerhorn Symphony Center, in local schools, and at community gatherings. Nashville Symphony also sponsors Curb Youth Symphony and offers age-appropriate content for children's concerts and the accompanying curriculum distributed to teachers. In 2019, the organization reports that its Statewide Learning Outcomes program reached 9,981 students over 16 concerts and that Nashville Symphony recorded four new projects.
For the year ended July 31, 2019, Nashville Symphony Association's program expenses were:
| Orchestra and concert operations |
$18,992,953 |
| Schermerhorn Symphony Center |
$3,755,465 |
| Total Program Expenses: |
$22,748,418 |
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Chief Executive
Alan D. Valentine, President and Chief Executive Officer
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Compensation*
$396,995
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Chair of the Board
Pamela Carter
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Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Retired, President, Cummins Global Distribution
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Board Size
54
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Paid Staff Size
200
*2018 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
Note: Musical Director, Giancarlo Guerrero, was the highest compensated employee, receiving $511,818 in compensation.
Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Grant proposals, Internet, Invitations to fund raising events, Membership appeals, Planned giving arrangements, Print advertisements (newspapers, magazines, etc.), Telephone appeals, Radio, Television
Fundraising costs were 15% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $9,658,231 are donations received as a result of fundraising activities.)
This organization 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.
The following information is based on Nashville Symphony Association's audited financial statements for the year ended July 31, 2019.
| Source of Funds |
| Ticket sales |
$10,271,817 |
| Contributions |
$7,348,670 |
| Interest and other income |
$2,331,609 |
| Special events, net |
$1,077,163 |
| Concessions and symphony store |
$1,046,237 |
| Concert hall rental |
$732,025 |
| Orchestra fee engagements |
$482,206 |
| Grants |
$452,900 |
| Community Foundation distribution |
$405,300 |
| In-kind contributions |
$374,198 |
| Expense reimbursements |
$319,290 |
| Investment income, net |
$129,585 |
| Ancillary rental |
$64,050 |
| Total Income |
$25,035,050 |
- Programs: 85%
- Administrative: 10%
- Fundraising: 5%
| Total Income |
$25,035,050 |
| Program expenses |
$22,748,418 |
| Fundraising expenses |
$1,493,018 |
| Administrative expenses |
$2,699,657 |
| Other expenses |
$0 |
| Total expenses: |
$26,941,093 |
| Income in Excess of Expenses |
$-1,906,043 |
| Beginning Net Assets |
$75,054,699 |
| Other Changes In Net Assets |
$-2,193,018 |
| Ending Net Assets |
$70,830,515 |
| Total Liabilities |
$26,362,252 |
| Total Assets |
$97,192,767 |
Note 1: As noted in the above financial section, "other changes in net assets" refers to net beneficial interest in trust income ($301,030) and depreciation (-$2,380,348).
Note 2: According to Nashville Symphony's audited financial statements for the year ended July 31, 2019, the organization received $374,198 in donated advertising, guest artist services, and professional services.