The Des Moines Symphony is a not-for-profit, professional orchestra formed in 1937 to enrich, educate, and inspire the community by performing great orchestral music. The Symphony Association, governed by a volunteer board of trustees and operating on an annual budget of more than 4.2 million, supports the Symphony academy and its numerous music education programs including four youth orchestras and a youth wind ensemble. The Association also supports the Des Moines Symphony orchestra which performs seven pairs of masterworks concerts, a summer season of free outdoor concerts at the lauridsen amphitheater in water works park, a regular season pops series including the traditional new year's eve pops, and education, outreach, and family concerts. The Des Moines Symphony also produces and performs the annual yankee doodle pops concert in july on the ground of the iowa state capital.

501(c)(3) charity; gifts are tax-deductible.
79¢ of each $1 spent went to programs.
$388K paid to officers and key staff.
Mission: Form 990 Part I, line 1 · Status: IRS Pub. 78 · Programs: Part IX · Pay: Part VII

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FY2023 · Form 990Independent: from IRS data, not the org
Download 990
IRS status
501(c)(3)
not on the IRS revocation list
Looks good: listed by the IRS and not on the revocation list.
IRS BMF · Auto-Revocation List
Tax-deductible gifts
Yes
Donations are tax-deductible
Looks good: the IRS lists gifts to it as deductible.
IRS Pub. 78 · IRS BMF
Latest return
FY2025
latest Form 990
Looks good: the latest return is for FY2025, 1 tax year back; within 2 tax years.
IRS e-file · Filing history
Surplus or deficit
3 of 6
filings with a surplus
Average surplus $246K a year · 6% of revenue · last 6 filings
Worth a look: a surplus in 3 of the last 6 filings.
Pt I · Ln 19 · 6 filings
Spent on programs
79%
of spending
Looks good: 79% of spending went to programs; 75% or more.
Pt IX · Ln 25 · col B
Pay to officers and key staff
$388K
to officers and key staff · 10% of spending
Looks good: pay to officers and key staff is 10% of spending; 15% or less.
Pt VII · Sec A
1 mo
of spending, in cash
Fine: 1.1 months of spending in cash; 1 to 3.
Pt X · Ln 1–2 · Pt I · Ln 18
Named funders
2
named funders · $28K
Fine: 2 funders name it on their filings; under 3.
Funders’ Sch. I, 990-PF
Liabilities
$1.1M
5% of total assets
Looks good: liabilities are 5% of assets; 50% or less.
Pt X · Ln 26
Independent board members
25
of 25 voting members
Looks good: 25 of 25 voting members are independent, a majority.
Pt VI · Ln 1a–1b
Looks goodFineWorth a lookConcernNo data yetTap a box for the reason.
Revenue
$3.2M
-40% vs prior year
Spent
$3.9M
To programs
79%
Net assets
$19.1M
By yearFY2020–FY2025
Revenue
$3.2M
FY2023▼ -40%
Tap a bar for its year
Revenue by fiscal year
FY2020$3.2M
FY2021$2.7M
FY2022$5.3M
FY2023$3.2M
FY2024$3.6M
FY2025$5.1M
Expenses
$3.9M
FY2023▲ +13%
Tap a bar for its year
Expenses by fiscal year
FY2020$3.6M
FY2021$2.4M
FY2022$3.5M
FY2023$3.9M
FY2024$4.1M
FY2025$4.0M
Net assets
$19.1M
FY2023▲ +1%
Tap a bar for its year
Net assets by fiscal year
FY2020$9.4M
FY2021$11.6M
FY2022$18.9M
FY2023$19.1M
FY2024$19.9M
FY2025$22.0M

From the FY2023 Form 990 (year ending June 2023) · figures checked against the IRS filing · see the original

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You’re viewing the FY2023 filing — not the latest on file. See the latest (FY2025) →

Is it real?

Yes. Never revoked by the IRS. Latest filing on record: FY2025. IRS ruling in Jan 1959.

IRS Pub. 78 · IRS Auto-Revocation List · IRS Business Master File

Where the money goes

79 cents of each dollar spent went to programs.

Program services 79% · $3.1M Management & general 14% · $568K Fundraising 7% · $264K

Form 990 Part IX, line 25, columns B–D. Every line is in By the numbers.

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Who runs it and what they're paid

27 people listed on the 990; $388K paid to officers and key staff.

Part VII, Section A · reportable compensation · most recent filed roster (FY2022); the FY2023 filing did not itemize Part VII
Music Director
$244,504Pt VII · Sec A
Executive Director
$143,583Pt VII · Sec A
Vice President / President Elect
$0Pt VII · Sec A
$0Pt VII · Sec A
Treasurer
$0Pt VII · Sec A
$0Pt VII · Sec A
$0Pt VII · Sec A
$0Pt VII · Sec A

Joseph Giunta’s $278K as Music Director is at the 95th percentile of top reported officer pay among 3924 $1–10M arts & culture nonprofits. Peer set: organizations in the same NTEE major field of work and revenue-size band, compared on each org’s own highest-paid officer/key-employee, from Form 990 Part VII / 990-PF Part VIII. Descriptive placement, not a verdict on whether the pay is appropriate.

Compensation history total reportable pay by year · 5 named individuals · Part VII

NameFY2025FY2024FY2023FY2022FY2021FY2020
Joseph Giunta$277,500$255,500—$235,876$197,161$237,632
Joepsh Giunta——$244,504———
Richard L Early$156,444$150,448$143,583——$134,888
Richard Early———$139,110$134,824—
Scott Wyckoff$109,266$105,881————

Total reportable compensation (Form 990 Part VII column D / Schedule J column E) by filing year, matched by name within this organization. The Schedule J base / bonus / deferred breakdown is not parsed into this dataset.

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Questions the 990 asks

The form asks each of these directly. These are the filed answers.

  • Family or business ties among officersPt VI · Ln 2No
  • Top official's pay set by an independent reviewPt VI · Ln 15aYes

Programs and updates

Performs orchestral music to enrich, educate, and inspire the community.

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Provided by the organization

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2 programs · $3.1M · in their own filed words · FY2022
01

Concert performancesthe des moines symphony association performs seven pairs of masterworks concerts, as well as education and family concerts, and both a regular season and summer season pops series which draws audience members from throughout iowa.

$2.7Mprogram expense
02

Music educationthe des moines symphony academy provides an array of programs and opportunities for individual and group instruction, performance, and community involvement for students of all ages.

$422Kprogram expense

Funders

Who pays for it.

From grant filings on record. Receipts are incomplete: individual donors are never listed.

Grants

Schedule I · funders on record
Grants received · FY2025
Total grants receivedfrom 2 funders$28K

By the numbers

The FY2023 990, line by line.

1The main four
Money inPt VIII
$3.2M
Ln 12
Gifts and grantsLn 1h$2.0M
Fees for servicesLn 2g$1.2M
Other incomeLn 4–11$8K
Money outPt IX
$3.9M
Ln 25
Programscol B$3.1M
Managementcol C$568K
Fundraisingcol D$264K
Owns and owesPt X
$19.1M
net assets · Ln 32
Cash and savingsLn 1–2$348K
Total assetsLn 16$20.2M
LiabilitiesLn 26$1.1M
PeoplePt VI, VII
27
listed · VII A
PaidVII A2
Voting boardVI 1a25
IndependentVI 1b25
2In more detail
Revenue in detailPt VIII
Gifts and grantsLn 1h$2.0M
Government grantsLn 1e$216K
Noncash giftsLn 1g$15K
Fees for servicesLn 2g$1.2M
Other incomeLn 4–11$8K
Total revenueLn 12$3.2M
Assets in detailPt X, end of year
CashLn 1$348K
Cash and savings togetherLn 1–2$348K
Land, buildings, equipmentLn 10c$128K
Other assetsLn 15$18.7M
Total assetsLn 16$20.2M
LiabilitiesLn 26$1.1M
Net assetsLn 32$19.1M
OperationsPt I, VI
EmployeesI 5299
VolunteersI 692
Fiscal year endsHeaderJune
Conflict-of-interest policyVI 12aYes
Whistleblower policyVI 13Yes
Records policyVI 14Yes
3Year over year
Balance sheet, start vs end of yearPt X · col A, B
LineStart FY23End FY23
Cash and savingsLn 1–2$1.0M$348K
Land, buildings, equipmentLn 10c$137K$128K
Total assetsLn 16$19.3M$20.2M
LiabilitiesLn 26$388K$1.1M
Net assetsLn 32$18.9M$19.1M
4Every line
Statement of functional expensesPt IX · every line
LineTotalProgramsManagementFundraising
Pay of current officers, directors and key staffLn 5$461K$359K$60K$41K
Other salaries and wagesLn 7$1.6M$1.2M$200K$141K
Pension plan contributionsLn 8$20K$8K$7K$5K
Other employee benefitsLn 9$116K$52K$38K$27K
Payroll taxesLn 10$158K$126K$19K$13K
Accounting feesLn 11c$45K$45K
Other fees for servicesLn 11g$51K$15K$35K
Advertising and promotionLn 12$119K$119K
Office expensesLn 13$12K$5K$7K
Information technologyLn 14$25K$2K$24K
OccupancyLn 16$93K$61K$16K$16K
TravelLn 17$184K$184K
Conferences, conventions and meetingsLn 19$2K$2K
Depreciation, depletion and amortizationLn 22$21K$21K
InsuranceLn 23$36K$27K$9K
Other expenses (24a–d)Ln 24$989K$920K$48K$20K
All other expensesLn 24e$48K$10K$38K
Total functional expensesLn 25$3.9M$3.1M$568K$264K

Filing history

YearMoney inMoney outIn minus outNet assetsDownload
FY2025 Latest $5.1M$4.0M$1.1M$22.0M 990 PDF
FY2024 $3.6M$4.1M−$480K$19.9M 990 PDF
FY2023 Viewing $3.2M$3.9M−$782K$19.1M 990 PDF
FY2022 $5.3M$3.5M$1.8M$18.9M 990 PDF
FY2021 $2.7M$2.4M$212K$11.6M 990 PDF
FY2020 $3.2M$3.6M−$390K$9.4M 990 PDF

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Schedules filed Part IV

III · Programs R · Related orgs G · Fundraising L · Interested persons I · Grants A · Public support J · Pay O · Explanations
See the full FY2023 990 (6 parts)
Part I · Summary $3,165,158 revenue, 12 lines filed
I-8 Contributions and grantsPrior year $4,222,938$1,982,439
I-9 Program service revenuePrior year $1,061,164$1,175,174
I-10 Investment incomePrior year $0$0
I-11 Other revenuePrior year $2,083$7,545
I-12 Total revenuePrior year $5,286,185$3,165,158
I-13 Grants and similar amounts paidPrior year $0$0
I-14 Benefits paid to membersPrior year $0$0
I-15 Salaries and benefitsPrior year $2,343,486$2,321,844
I-16a Professional fundraising feesPrior year $0$0
I-17 Other expensesPrior year $1,156,141$1,625,220
I-18 Total expensesPrior year $3,499,627$3,947,064
I-19 Revenue less expensesPrior year $1,786,558−$781,906
Part VI · Governance 25 of 25 board members independent, no flags
VI-1a Voting members of the governing body25
VI-1b Independent voting members25
VI-2 Family or business relationship among officers or directorsNo
VI-12a Written conflict of interest policyYes
VI-13 Written whistleblower policyYes
VI-14 Document retention and destruction policyYes
VI-15a Process for setting top official's payYes
Part VIII · Statement of revenue $3,165,158 across 9 lines filed
VIII-1d Related organizations$1,058,300
VIII-1e Government grants$215,600
VIII-1f All other contributions, gifts and grants$708,539
VIII-1g Noncash contributions (included above)$15,000
VIII-1h Total contributions, gifts and grants$1,982,439
VIII-2a-f Program service revenue, itemized rows (sum of 2a–2f as filed)Related to mission $1,151,884 · Unrelated business $23,290$1,175,174
VIII-8 Net income from fundraising eventsExcluded from tax −$3,833−$3,833
VIII-11a-d Other revenue, itemized rows (sum of 11a–11d as filed)Related to mission $11,378$11,378
VIII-12 Total revenueRelated to mission $1,163,262 · Unrelated business $23,290 · Excluded from tax −$3,833$3,165,158
Part IX · Statement of functional expenses $3,947,064 across 17 lines filed
IX-5 Pay of current officers, directors and key staffPrograms $359,257 · Management $59,877 · Fundraising $41,453$460,587
IX-7 Other salaries and wagesPrograms $1,226,156 · Management $199,688 · Fundraising $141,414$1,567,258
IX-8 Pension plan contributionsPrograms $7,596 · Management $7,045 · Fundraising $4,972$19,613
IX-9 Other employee benefitsPrograms $51,887 · Management $37,706 · Fundraising $26,581$116,174
IX-10 Payroll taxesPrograms $125,679 · Management $19,102 · Fundraising $13,431$158,212
IX-11c Accounting feesManagement $44,660$44,660
IX-11g Other fees for servicesPrograms $15,412 · Management $35,130$50,542
IX-12 Advertising and promotionPrograms $119,179$119,179
IX-13 Office expensesPrograms $4,926 · Management $7,331$12,257
IX-14 Information technologyPrograms $1,842 · Management $23,602$25,444
IX-16 OccupancyPrograms $61,471 · Management $15,834 · Fundraising $15,834$93,139
IX-17 TravelPrograms $184,151$184,151
IX-19 Conferences, conventions and meetingsManagement $2,414$2,414
IX-22 Depreciation, depletion and amortizationManagement $21,290$21,290
IX-23 InsurancePrograms $26,800 · Management $8,933$35,733
IX-24 Other expenses (24a–d)Programs $920,121 · Management $48,014 · Fundraising $20,498$988,633
IX-24e All other expensesPrograms $10,069 · Management $37,709$47,778
IX-25 Total functional expensesPrograms $3,114,546 · Management $568,335 · Fundraising $264,183$3,947,064
Part X · Balance sheet $20,186,211 assets, 15 lines filed
X-1 Cash, non-interest-bearingStart of year $1,007,706$348,263
X-3 Pledges and grants receivableStart of year $1,000,704$805,533
X-4 Accounts receivableStart of year $18,039$16,851
X-9 Prepaid expenses and deferred chargesStart of year $116,635$151,771
X-10c Land, buildings and equipment, netStart of year $136,789$128,057
X-15 Other assetsStart of year $16,998,614$18,735,736
X-16 Total assetsStart of year $19,278,487$20,186,211
X-17 Accounts payable and accrued expensesStart of year $144,298$73,670
X-19 Deferred revenueStart of year $243,968$252,059
X-25 Other liabilitiesStart of year $0$732,474
X-26 Total liabilitiesStart of year $388,266$1,058,203
X-27 Net assets without donor restrictionsStart of year $2,112,916$1,407,011
X-28 Net assets with donor restrictionsStart of year $16,777,305$17,720,997
X-32 Total net assets or fund balancesStart of year $18,890,221$19,128,008
X-33 Total liabilities and net assetsStart of year $19,278,487$20,186,211
Part XI · Reconciliation of net assets $19,128,008 net assets at year end
XI-1 Total revenue$3,165,158
XI-2 Total expenses$3,947,064
XI-3 Revenue less expenses−$781,906
XI-4 Net assets at start of year$18,890,221
XI-9 Other changes in net assets$1,019,692
XI-10 Net assets at end of year$19,128,008

Form 990 e-file (XML) FY2023 from the IRS · Classification, formation year and address from the IRS Business Master File

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