MILWAUKEE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA INC

EIN: 396023436 501(c)(3) Arts, Culture & Humanities

MILWAUKEE, WI

Total Revenue
$19,800,512
Total Expenses
$23,482,388
Total Assets
$145,170,901
Net Assets
$136,738,014
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Organization Details

Formation Year
1958
Legal Domicile
WI
Principal Officer
MARK NIEHAUS
Phone
4142916010
Tax Period
2024-09-01 to 2025-08-31

MILWAUKEE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA INC, founded in 1958, is a mid-sized nonprofit in the Arts, Culture & Humanities sector that reported $19.8M in total revenue in fiscal year 2024. Expenses of $23.5M exceeded revenue, resulting in a 19% operating deficit.

Mission

THE MILWAUKEE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, INC. ("MSO") REACHES OUT TO DIVERSE AUDIENCES THROUGH CONCERT PERFORMANCES AND NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED EDUCATION AND OUTREACH PROGRAMS. ALL PROGRAMS ARE GUIDED BY THE MSO FAMILY SHARED VISION WHICH STATES THAT THE MSO EXISTS FOR THREE PURPOSES: TO COMFORT, EDUCATE, ENTERTAIN AND EXHILARATE THE HUMAN SOUL THROUGH EVENTS OF CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE, RELEVANCE AND ARTISTIC CHALLENGE; TO EMBRACE, PRESERVE AND FOSTER OUR MUSICAL HERITAGE; AND TO ENHANCE THE VIBRANCY OF OUR COMMUNITY.

Program Service Accomplishments

Program 1
Expenses: $17,757,037 Revenue: $5,501,148

THE MILWAUKEE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, LED BY MUSIC DIRECTOR KEN-DAVID MASUR, IS AMONG THE FINEST ORCHESTRAS IN THE NATION AND THE LARGEST CULTURAL INSTITUTION IN WISCONSIN. SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN 1959...

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THE MILWAUKEE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, LED BY MUSIC DIRECTOR KEN-DAVID MASUR, IS AMONG THE FINEST ORCHESTRAS IN THE NATION AND THE LARGEST CULTURAL INSTITUTION IN WISCONSIN. SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN 1959, THE MSO HAS FOUND INNOVATIVE WAYS TO GIVE MUSIC A HOME IN THE REGION, DEVELOP MUSIC APPRECIATION AND TALENT AMONG AREA YOUTH, AND RAISE THE NATIONAL REPUTATION OF MILWAUKEE.THE MSO'S FULL-TIME PROFESSIONAL MUSICIANS PERFORM OVER 135 CLASSICS, POPS, FAMILY, EDUCATION, AND COMMUNITY CONCERTS EACH SEASON IN VENUES THROUGHOUT THE STATE. A PIONEER AMONG AMERICAN ORCHESTRAS, THE MSO HAS PERFORMED WORLD AND AMERICAN PREMIERES OF WORKS BY JOHN ADAMS, ROBERTO SIERRA, PHILIP GLASS, GEOFFREY GORDON, MARC NEIKRUG, CAMILLE PPIN, MATTHIAS PINTSCHER, AND DOBRINKA TABAKOVA, AS WELL AS GARNERED NATIONAL RECOGNITION AS THE FIRST AMERICAN ORCHESTRA TO OFFER LIVE RECORDINGS ON ITUNES.IN JANUARY OF 2021, THE MSO COMPLETED A YEARS-LONG PROJECT TO RESTORE AND RENOVATE A FORMER MOVIE PALACE IN THE HEART OF DOWNTOWN MILWAUKEE. THE BRADLEY SYMPHONY CENTER OFFICIALLY OPENED TO AUDIENCES IN OCTOBER 2021. THIS PROJECT HAS SPARKED A RENEWAL ON WEST WISCONSIN AVENUE AND CONTINUES TO BE A CATALYST IN THE COMMUNITY.THE MSO'S STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE EXTENDS BEYOND THE CONCERT HALL AND INTO THE COMMUNITY, REACHING MORE THAN 30,000 CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES THROUGH ITS ARTS IN COMMUNITY EDUCATION (ACE) PROGRAM, YOUTH AND TEEN CONCERTS, FAMILY SERIES, AND MEET THE MUSIC PRE-CONCERT TALKS. CELEBRATING ITS 35TH YEAR, THE NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED ACE PROGRAM INTEGRATES ARTS EDUCATION ACROSS ALL SUBJECTS AND DISCIPLINES, PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS WHEN BUDGET CUTS MAY ELIMINATE ARTS PROGRAMMING. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES LESSON PLANS AND SUPPORTING MATERIALS, CLASSROOM VISITS FROM MSO MUSICIAN ENSEMBLES AND ARTISTS FROM LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS, AND AN MSO CONCERT TAILORED TO EACH GRADE LEVEL. THIS SEASON, MORE THAN 5,900 STUDENTS AND 500 TEACHERS AND FACULTY ARE EXPECTED TO PARTICIPATE IN ACE BOTH IN PERSON AND IN A VIRTUAL FORMAT.

Program 2
Expenses: $516,556 Revenue: $166,315

THE MSO'S STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE EXTENDS BEYOND THE CONCERT HALL AND INTO THE COMMUNITY, REACHING MORE THAN 30,000 CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES THROUGH ITS ARTS IN COMMUNITY EDUCATION (ACE) PROGRAM...

Read more

THE MSO'S STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE EXTENDS BEYOND THE CONCERT HALL AND INTO THE COMMUNITY, REACHING MORE THAN 30,000 CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES THROUGH ITS ARTS IN COMMUNITY EDUCATION (ACE) PROGRAM, YOUTH AND TEEN CONCERTS, FAMILY SERIES, AND MEET THE MUSIC PRE-CONCERT TALKS. CELEBRATING ITS 35TH YEAR, THE NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED ACE PROGRAM INTEGRATES ARTS EDUCATION ACROSS ALL SUBJECTS AND DISCIPLINES, PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS WHEN BUDGET CUTS MAY ELIMINATE ARTS PROGRAMMING. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES LESSON PLANS AND SUPPORTING MATERIALS, CLASSROOM VISITS FROM MSO MUSICIAN ENSEMBLES AND ARTISTS FROM LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS, AND AN MSO CONCERT TAILORED TO EACH GRADE LEVEL. THIS SEASON, MORE THAN 5,900 STUDENTS AND 500 TEACHERS AND FACULTY ARE EXPECTED TO PARTICIPATE IN ACE BOTH IN PERSON AND IN A VIRTUAL FORMAT.

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Liquidity (40%) • Solvency (30%) • Sustainability (20%) • Efficiency (10%)

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Financial Overview (2024)

Revenue Breakdown

Contributions & Grants $14,137,955
Program Service Revenue $5,667,463
Investment Income $100,119
Other Revenue $-105,025
TOTAL REVENUE $19,800,512

Expense Breakdown

Grants Paid $0
Salaries & Benefits $14,529,607
Fundraising Expenses $1,193,961
Program Expenses $18,273,593
Other Expenses $8,890,738
TOTAL EXPENSES $23,482,388

Year-over-Year Comparison

2024 2023 Change
Revenue $19,800,512 $20,370,929 0.0%
Expenses $23,482,388 $23,647,468 0.0%
Net Income $-3,681,876 $-3,276,539 +0.1%
Key Indicators
Grants to Organizations Grants to Individuals Lobbying Political Activity Foreign Activities Donor Advised Fund Schedule B Required
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Governance

Voting Members
35
Independent Members
33
Employees
363
Volunteers
350

Governance Policies

Conflict of Interest Policy
Whistleblower Policy
Document Retention Policy

Special Practices & Reported Activities

Operated a School
Operated a Hospital
Provided First Class Travel
Reported Conflict of Interest
Reported Asset Diversion
Excess Benefit Transaction
Made Political Expenditures
Engaged in Lobbying
Operated Donor Advised Fund
Maintained Art Collections
Filed Form 720

Compensation of Officers, Directors & Key Employees

Total Officers
8
$597,327
Total Directors
39
$736,834
Key Employees
0
$0
Highest Compensated
5
reported
Name Title Hours/Week Role Reportable Comp Other Comp Total
MARK NIEHAUS PRESIDENT & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 40.00
Officer Director
$386,665 $11,857 $398,522
KEN-DAVID MASUR MUSIC DIRECTOR 40.00
Director
$329,617 $8,695 $338,312
SUSAN MARTIN BOARD CHAIRMAN 10.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
ANDY NUNEMAKER IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR(THRU12/12/2024) 10.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
PATRICK MURPHY TREASURER 5.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
ALYCE COYNE KATAYAMA BOARD SECRETARY 5.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
KATE BREWER BOARD DIRECTOR (THRU 12/12/2024) 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
JEFF COSTAKOS BOARD DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
JENNIFER DIRKS BOARD DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
DOUGLAS HAGERMAN BOARD DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
STEVE HANCOCK BOARD DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
CHARLOTTE HAYSLETT BOARD DIRECTOR (THRU 12/12/2024) 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
ERIC HOBBS BOARD DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
PETER MAHLER BOARD DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
MARK METZENDORF BOARD DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
ROBERT MONNAT BOARD DIRECTOR 5.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
CHRISTIAN MITCHELL BOARD DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
MAURA PACKHAM BOARD DIRECTOR (THRU 12/12/2024) 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
LESLIE PLAMANN BOARD DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
MICHAEL J SCHMITZ BOARD DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
CRAIG SCHMUTZER BOARD DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
JAY SCHWISTER BOARD DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
DALE SMITH BOARD DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
GREGORY SMITH BOARD DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
HARUKI TOYAMA BOARD DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
HERB ZIEN BOARD DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
PAM STAMPEN BOARD DIRECTOR 5.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
SACHIN CHHEDA COUNTY APPOINTED DIRECTOR 5.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
PEGGE SYTKOWSKI COUNTY APPOINTED DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
THEODORE PERLICK MOLINARI CITY APPOINTED DIRECTOR 5.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
FIESHA LYNN BELL CITY APPOINTED DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
GARREN RANDOLPH CITY APPOINTED DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
TOM ZALE BOARD DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
RENEE HERZING BOARD DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
TRACY TAVOLIER BOARD DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
DAN BYRNE BOARD DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
TERESA MOGENSEN BOARD DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
NIKO RUUD COUNTY APPOINTED DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
RENE IZQUIERDO COUNTY APPOINTED DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
TOM LINDOW VP AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER 40.00
Officer
$190,264 $8,541 $198,805
DAVID UIHLEIN HONORARY CO-CHAIR 1.00
Officer
$0 $0 $0
JULIE UIHLEIN HONORARY CO-CHAIR 1.00
Officer
$0 $0 $0
MONICA KRISTINE MEYER BEALE VP OF ADVANCEMENT (THRU 4/5/25) 40.00
Highest
$151,970 $6,776 $158,746
BRET DORHOUT VP OF ARTISTIC 40.00
Highest
$143,495 $5,902 $149,397
JINWOO LEE MUSICIAN 40.00
Highest
$191,627 $2,661 $194,288
ILANA SETAPEN MUSICIAN 40.00
Highest
$118,546 $1,727 $120,273
SUSAN BABINI MUSICIAN 40.00
Highest
$109,402 $24,548 $133,950
Note: Compensation data is self-reported by the organization on their Form 990. "Reportable Comp" includes salary, bonuses, and other reportable compensation from the organization and related organizations. "Other Comp" includes benefits, deferred compensation, and non-taxable benefits.

Historical Data

Year Revenue Expenses Assets Net Income
2025 $19,800,512 $23,482,388 $145,170,901 $-3,681,876
2024 $20,370,929 $23,647,468 $128,508,605 $-3,276,539
2023 $18,464,144 $23,261,189 $124,197,590 $-4,797,045
2022 $27,186,172 $22,299,032 $121,477,891 $4,887,140
2021 $33,243,126 $13,923,557 $122,941,209 $19,319,569
2020 $34,702,822 $16,244,292 $103,915,131 $18,458,530
2019 $18,784,747 $17,889,830 $81,900,820 $894,917
2018 $48,630,785 $17,886,038 $77,015,574 $30,744,747
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