Savannah Philharmonic Corporation

What it reported doing in 2024

Organizational history: established 2008, the savannah philharmonic orchestra (spo) a 501 (c) 3 has grown to a nearly 1.7 million operating budget, with 5 full-time staff members, 60 contract-and fee-based musicians, 50 volunteer choristers, and 19-member board of directors. Spo has been contributing to the savannah- metropolitan area for nearly a decade through orchestral performances ranging from classics to popular show tunes. Spo has performed in a multitude of locations throughout savannah including, but not limited to, the lucas theatre, cathedral of st. John the baptist, tybee post theatre, johnny mercer theatre, the band shell in historic forsyth park, and area neighborhood community centers. At its largest capacity, spo has played for over 20,000 individuals catering towards an inclusive audience. Since its inception nearly 13 years ago, spo has strengthened the arts and culture in the savannah-metropolitan area through continual work to expand programs offered and adapt to the needs of the community. Outside the concert hall, spo offers a variety of community engagement programs including throughout the community, phil the park, and phil the squares. Each of these programs are free and open to the public offering a fun, family-friendly experience. Spo also takes great pride in their educational programs that take place in partnership with savannah chatham public school system. Mission statement: savannah philharmonic, an innovative and influential arts organization, will entertain, inspire and build community throughout the region. Community: the savannah philharmonic "soundtrack of savannah" is more than simply connecting with our community through music. It's an open invitation to enjoy music with our friends and neighbors while exploring the unique places, flavors, and events of our region. In fy20 the spo was one of few orchestras to perform in the community. Through creative collaboration, venues, and programming the spo provided concerts each month for socially distanced audiences. In addition the spo took the opportunity to understand the neighborhood in which it lives and build a 3 year strategic plan. This plan sets goals for financial sustainability, community engagement, and artistic integrity setting the stage for the spo to be a pillar in the community well into the future. Spo continued to partner with the city of savannah to produce and present picnic in the park - creatively through a partnership with wtoc the concert was broadcast with a viewership of over 20,000.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 67.5%; rating input score 68
• Program expense ratio: 80.5%; rating input score 80
• Fundraising efficiency: $19.54 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 58; 58th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd 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: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 5 of 8 controls in place; rating input score 62
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Fail
  • Document-retention policy: Fail
  • CEO compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Other executive compensation review process: Fail
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 16.6%; rating input score 73; 73rd percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 0.42; rating input score 14; 14th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.85; rating input score 9; 9th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 6.7%; rating input score 43; 43rd percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 4.4% per year; rating input score 100; 36th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 5.4% per year; rating input score 100; 44th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 4% per year; rating input score 100; 29th percentile among comparable filings