Lake Washington Symphony Orchestra

What it reported doing in 2024

Lake Washington symphony orchestra (lwso) delivered 21 programs, including rehearsals, concerts, and community performances that advanced our mission, to enrich and inspire our communities through performance, outreach and education. These programs reached thousands of residents across the eastside and strengthened cultural vitality through free and low cost events.redmond saturday market performances: lwso presented eight free small ensemble concerts at the redmond saturday market, bringing live orchestral music directly into a bustling community space. These informal performances reached diverse audiences, including families, seniors, and passersby experiencing orchestral music for the first time. The series continues to build community connection and visibility for the arts.annual children's halloween concert: now in its 9th year, this beloved family tradition welcomed hundreds of children and caregivers for an engaging, sensory-friendly introduction to orchestral music. Families return year after year, and many describe it as a "can't miss" annual event. The program included costumes, interactive elements, and accessible musical storytelling designed to spark curiosity and joy.annual holiday pops concert: lwso's holiday pops brought together community members of all ages for a festive celebration featuring seasonal favorites and a guest vocalist. The concert supports intergenerational connection and provides an affordable, high quality arts experience during the holiday season.annual education concert: lwso presented its third education concert, serving students from lake Washington and bellevue school districts. Nearly 2,000 students, teachers, and chaperones attended at no cost. Teachers consistently report that this is a highlight of their school year, and many send follow up emails praising the program's cultural representation, student engagement, and alignment with classroom learning.celebrating women concert: the program highlighted the work of women composers-voices historically underrepresented in classical music. The concert advanced lwso's commitment to cultural equity and artistic representation while offering audiences a powerful, inspiring musical experience.across all programs, lwso delivered 21 rehearsals and performances, including free community concerts, youth education programs, culturally representative performances, and family centered events. Audience enthusiasm, repeat attendance, and positive feedback from educators and families demonstrate the orchestra's growing impact and the community's strong support for accessible arts programming.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 100%; rating input score 100
• Program expense ratio: 72.6%; rating input score 73
• Fundraising efficiency: $2.57 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 12; 12th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 64th percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: Limited
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: Limited
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 85.7%; rating input score 86; 23rd percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 5 of 9 controls in place; rating input score 56
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Fail
  • Other executive compensation review process: Fail
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Missing
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Fail

Sustainability

• Operating margin: -225.7%; rating input score 1; 1st percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 1.02; rating input score 41; 41st percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0; rating input score 55; 55th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 31.6%; rating input score 10; 10th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 31.6% per year; rating input score 100; 91st percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 5.4% per year; rating input score 100; 54th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 20.1% per year; rating input score 100; 84th percentile among comparable filings