Vancouver Symphony Society, better known as Vancouver Symphony Orchestra (VSO), is a 1-star charity. It has a D+ results reporting grade, which is below average. Its overhead costs are within Ci's reasonable range for overhead spending and it has reserve funds to cover program costs for 3 years and 4 months. 

Founded in 1919, Vancouver Symphony Orchestra (VSO) is the third largest orchestra in Canada. Music director Otto Tausk has led the VSO since 2018. It performs classical, popular, and culturally diverse music. VSO’s goal is to engage audiences of different ages and backgrounds. VSO has two main programs: performances and education & community engagement. Vancouver Symphony Orchestra reports that it reaches over 270,000 people a year. VSO has won a Grammy and a Juno for its performances.

Performances make up the majority of Vancouver Symphony Orchestra’s program spending. VSO performs more than 150 concerts each year. In the fiscal year ending June 2023 (F2023), VSO launched its season with Hollywood’s greatest hits. Its Our Planet performances explored the intersection of music and the natural world. In F2023, VSO introduced many new works from international composers. Its performances also featured famous Canadian and international soloists, including Itzhak Perlman and Hillary Hahn. VSO reports an annual attendance of 250,000, including 50,000 children and young adults.

VSO also runs several Education & Community Engagement Programs. These programs aim to increase access to music and music education. In F2023, over 10,000 students from over 50 schools attended VSO’s Elementary School Concerts. Symphonic Encounters takes students behind the scenes during a rehearsal. Over 2,100 students from 40 schools participated in Symphonic Encounters in F2023. Through the Mentorship program, six emerging BC composers had new works read by VSO. The Giving Back program provided over 350 free or discounted tickets to under-accessed communities. VSO Connects brings musicians into classrooms. In F2023, it reached 1,300 elementary and 410 secondary students. VSO held one relaxed performance for 380 audience members in F2023.

Ci consolidated Vancouver Symphony Society with Vancouver Symphony Foundation (VSF) in the following financial analysis.

In F2023, Vancouver Symphony Orchestra received $6.0m in Canadian donations and special events revenue. VSO also received $5.3m in government funding in F2023 (21% of total revenue). Administrative costs are 9% of revenue (excluding investment income) and fundraising costs are 23% of donations. Overhead spending is 32% which is within Ci’s reasonable range. For every dollar donated, 68 cents are available for the cause. In F2023, VSO spent $15.3m on its programs (64% of total revenue excluding goods in kind).

In F2023, VSO had a surplus of $5.1m and spent $287k on capital expenditures.

At the end of F2023, VSO had $50.6m in reserve funds, which can cover 329% or 3 years and 4 months of its annual program costs.

This charity report is an update that was sent for review to Vancouver Symphony Society. Changes and edits may be forthcoming.

Profile created on June 6, 2024 by Thea Clark.