MEMPHIS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA INC

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Financial Vulnerability Assessment (Tuckman-Chang)

4 risk indicators measuring financial stability and operational resilience

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Financial Trends

Organization Details

Formation Year

1953

Legal Domicile

Principal Officer

PETER ABELL

Phone

9015372500

Tax Period

2024-07-01 to 2025-06-30

MEMPHIS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA INC, founded in 1953, is a community nonprofit in the Arts, Culture & Humanities sector that reported $4.1M in total revenue in fiscal year 2024. Revenue fell 28% from the prior year — a significant decline worth monitoring. Expenses of $4.9M exceeded revenue, resulting in a 19% operating deficit.

Mission

TO ENRICH THE LIVES OF OUR DIVERSE COMMUNITY THROUGH EXCEPTIONAL MUSIC AND DYNAMIC PROGRAMS.

Program Service Accomplishments

Program 1

Expenses: $4,040,600 Revenue: $1,273,714

THE MEMPHIS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA STRIVES TO ENRICH THE LIVES OF OUR DIVERSE COMMUNITY THROUGH EXCEPTIONAL MUSIC AND DYNAMIC PROGRAMS. MORE THAN 400 MUSICIANS, STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS MAKE UP THE MEMPHIS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, MEMPHIS SYMPHONY CHORUS AND MEMPHIS SYMPHONY LEAGUE, OPERATING EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, ORGANIZING COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT EVENTS AND PERFORMING CONCERTS

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Trantor Score

Financial Health Score (300–850) · Liquidity · Solvency · Sustainability · Efficiency

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

Financial Overview (2024)

Revenue Breakdown

Contributions & Grants $2,684,190

Program Service Revenue $1,244,715

Investment Income $119,726

Other Revenue $33,999

TOTAL REVENUE $4,082,630

Expense Breakdown

Grants Paid $0

Salaries & Benefits $3,441,563

Fundraising Expenses $561,980

Program Expenses $4,040,600

Other Expenses $1,432,324

TOTAL EXPENSES $4,873,887

Year-over-Year Comparison

	2024	2023	Change
Revenue	$4,082,630	$5,679,056	-0.3%
Expenses	$4,873,887	$4,552,708	+0.1%
Net Income	$-791,257	$1,126,348	-1.7%

Key Indicators

✗ Grants to Organizations ✗ Grants to Individuals ✗ Lobbying ✗ Political Activity ✗ Foreign Activities ✗ Donor Advised Fund ✓ Schedule B Required

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Financial Health Indicators

Comprehensive financial analysis: Altman Z-Score, liquidity, solvency, sustainability, efficiency, and growth metrics

Financial Distress Indicator

Liquidity & Cash Position

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Altman Z-Score • Liquidity Ratios • Solvency Analysis • Growth Indicators • Efficiency Metrics

Governance

Voting Members

Independent Members

Employees

191

Volunteers

255

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

$143,399

Total Directors

$367,630

Key Employees

Highest Compensated

reported

Name	Title	Hours/Week	Role	Reportable Comp	Other Comp	Total
ABELL PETER	PRESIDENT/CEO	40.00	Officer Director	$133,046	$10,353	$143,399
MERRILL IRMA W	CHAIRPERSON	1.00	Officer Director	$0	$0	$0
FARMER JASON	IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR	1.00	Director	$0	$0	$0
MARUS RAMON	TREASURER	1.00	Officer Director	$0	$0	$0
ELLISON DR DAVID	SECRETARY	1.00	Officer Director	$0	$0	$0
MOODY ROBERT	MUSIC DIRECTOR	40.00	Director	$211,523	$12,708	$224,231
BREZINA DR PAUL	DIRECTOR	1.00	Director	$0	$0	$0
COLLIER DABNEY	DIRECTOR	1.00	Director	$0	$0	$0
CROSBY MARK	DIRECTOR	1.00	Director	$0	$0	$0
GERARD JERE	DIRECTOR	1.00	Director	$0	$0	$0
HEPPEL SCOTT	DIRECTOR	1.00	Director	$0	$0	$0
JOHNSON-DEAN DR CAROL	DIRECTOR	1.00	Director	$0	$0	$0
MAKOWSKY GARY	DIRECTOR	1.00	Director	$0	$0	$0
MAULDIN BACARRA	DIRECTOR	1.00	Director	$0	$0	$0
MCKISSACK MICHELLE ROBINSON	DIRECTOR	1.00	Director	$0	$0	$0
MENDEL DR LISA LUCKS	DIRECTOR	1.00	Director	$0	$0	$0
PORTER SONYA	DIRECTOR	1.00	Director	$0	$0	$0
SARGEANT LARETHA	DIRECTOR	1.00	Director	$0	$0	$0
TUCKER MARY	DIRECTOR	1.00	Director	$0	$0	$0
WHITNEY SUSANNA	DIRECTOR	1.00	Director	$0	$0	$0
KNISLEY BRANDON E	KEY EMPLOYEE	40.00	Highest	$110,768	$9,685	$120,453

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	$4,082,630	$4,873,887	$8,694,523	$-791,257
2024	$5,679,056	$4,552,708	$8,971,312	$1,126,348
2023	$4,684,929	$4,720,503	$6,808,528	$-35,574
2022	$4,582,397	$3,768,983	$6,274,797	$813,414
2021	$3,407,953	$2,654,687	$5,663,618	$753,266
2020	$4,178,515	$3,904,836	$3,710,690	$273,679
2019	$5,603,475	$4,121,855	$3,114,026	$1,481,620
2018	$4,231,564	$4,212,264	$1,645,684	$19,300