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THE PHILHARMONIC SYMPHONY SOCIETY OF NY INC

NEW YORK, NY · EIN 131664054 · Form 990 · FY2023 · NTEE A690 · Arts, Culture & Humanities · Very Large (>$50M) · nyphil.org
revenue
$113.9M
expenses
$96.2M
net assets
$497.9M
employees
790
volunteers
111
program ratio
62%
profile · synthesized from sources

The New York Philharmonic is a symphony orchestra based at David Geffen Hall, Lincoln Center in Manhattan. It performs classical and contemporary orchestral music, including symphonies, concertos, and live-to-picture film scores. The organization serves concert audiences in New York City and offers educational programs for children and families.

irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2023

What they reported doing

  1. #1 primary $2.93M
    SEE SCHEDULE O.
named programs · 5 · from sources

What they call their work

Artist Spotlight
Series showcasing soloists and small ensemble performances.
Sound On
Series featuring soloists and small ensemble performances, including special events like Steve Reich at 90.
The Art of the Score
Film concert series featuring the NY Phil performing movie scores live to picture on the big screen.
Very Young People’s Concerts
Programs tailored for children ages 3–6 and their families.
Young People’s Concerts
Concerts specifically designed for children ages 6–12 and their families, including relaxed performances.
activities · 9 groups

What they do

  • Music Education and Training Programs 4 activities
    • Deliver in-school music education and curriculum support
      Provides Young People’s Concerts for Schools with accompanying lesson plans, curriculum guides (2010–2024), and teacher training. Reached 10,000 schoolchildren through this program in the 2024–25 season. Also operates Philharmonic Schools, an in-school music education program that reached 8,000 students in the 2024–25 season.
    • Provide advanced training for emerging musicians
      Offers a two-hour workshop series for pre-professional musicians focusing on technique, performance, and interpretation with New York Philharmonic musicians and professionals. Also operates a two-year post-graduate program through the Shanghai Orchestra Academy, providing advanced performance and ensemble training for emerging musicians.
    • Support student choral performance
      Provides musical education and performance opportunities for students in grades 5–8 through a citywide initiative featuring diverse vocal repertoire, culminating in a public performance by the Philharmonic Youth Choir.
    • Support youth music composition and mentorship
      Runs the Very Young Composers program, guiding students to create finished musical compositions from their original ideas; engaged 200 participants in the 2024–25 season. Also operates a Youth Mentorship Program serving 150 mentees and students in the same period.
  • Classical and Chamber Music Performances 2 activities
    • Deliver pre- and post-concert audience engagement
      Offers pre-concert talks, post-concert Q&As, and educator-led workshops to enhance audience understanding and experience.
    • Present orchestral concerts and performances
      Produces over 100 concerts and events annually, including classical works, contemporary compositions, live-to-picture film score performances (Art of the Score series), soloist and small ensemble shows (Artist Spotlight and Sound On series), and special events such as holiday concerts and galas. Performs at major venues and high-profile events, including the FIFA World Cup 2026™ halftime celebration with the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela under Gustavo Dudamel.
  • Performing Arts Ticket Access Programs 2 activities
    • Offer ticket access programs for underserved audiences
      Provides discounted and low-cost ticket options including $25 rush tickets for students, $22 rush tickets for all customers, $10 tickets through the Phil for All program for individuals facing financial barriers, and free access for students to full orchestra rehearsals.
    • Provide group ticketing services
      Offers group discounts of up to 35%, priority seating, price-locking, flexible reservation adjustments, personalized booking support, and early access to tickets for groups, with a $10 non-refundable deposit due 30 days after invoice receipt.
  • Curated Art Exhibitions and Public Displays 1 activity
    • Host exhibitions and gallery events
      Hosts exhibitions in the Bruno Walter Gallery, such as a career retrospective of Principal Cello Carter Brey, accessible to ticketholders throughout the season.
  • Performing Arts Archival Preservation 1 activity
    • Maintain historical concert archives
      Maintains a digital archive containing programs, scores, images, and records of every concert since December 7, 1842, supporting research and institutional memory.
  • Creative Arts Therapy Programs 1 activity
    • Offer wellness-focused arts workshops
      Provides free 90-minute workshops designed to support mental health and wellness through the arts.
  • Accessibility Services for Cultural Programs 1 activity
    • Operate an accessible performance venue
      Operates David Geffen Hall, a 2,200-seat venue redesigned to bring all seats 30% closer to the stage, with improved acoustics, inclusive design features, accessible seating, braille and large type programs, assistive listening devices, hearing loops, tactile maps, and signature firefly lamps that perform above the stage at the start of each concert.
  • Early Childhood Music Education 1 activity
    • Provide music education programs for children and youth
      Hosts Young People’s Concerts for children aged 6–12 and Very Young People’s Concerts for children aged 3–6, featuring interactive performances with games, storytelling, and music. Offers a Saturday afternoon series of interactive performances for children aged 6 and up. Reached 5,000 children and families through Young People’s Concerts in the 2024–25 season.
  • Uncategorized 1 activity
    • Provide public access to concert livestreams
      Livestreams select performances on a 50-foot digital display (Hauser Digital Wall) in the Karen and Richard LeFrak Lobby at David Geffen Hall for free public viewing.
financials · form 990 · fy2023
revenue
Total revenue$113.92M
Contributions & grants$67.92M60%
Program service revenue$31.31M27%
Investment income$15.57M14%
Other revenue$-880K
expenses
Total expenses$96.17M
Program expenses62%
Admin / overhead29%
Fundraising9%
Salaries & benefits$50.09M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$604.64M
Cash$10.77M
Investments$245.61M
Liabilities$106.76M
Net assets$497.88M
Liquid reserves32.0 mo
5 years on record · 2019–2023 · YoY revenue +17.5%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2023

Who runs it

paid leadership · 9
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
DEBORAH BORDA EXECUTIVE ADVISOR 35 $1.82M
GARY GINSTLING PRESIDENT & CEO (THRU 08/24) 35 $971K
FRANK HUANG CONCERTMASTER 37 $749K
ADAM GERDTS SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, PHILANTHROPY 35 $634K
ANTHONY MCGILL PRINCIPAL CLARINET 37 $545K
LIANG WANG PRINCIPAL OBOE 37 $536K
CARTER BREY PRINCIPAL CELLO 37 $499K
ISAAC THOMPSON MANAGING DIRECTOR (THRU 09/23) 35 $437K
KATHIE PARSONS CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER 35 $383K
board members · 16
  • ALEC BALDWIN — DIRECTOR
  • ALEX VOLCKHAUSEN — DIRECTOR
  • ALEXANDER KLABIN — DIRECTOR
  • ANGELA CHEN — DIRECTOR
  • ANN JOHNSON — DIRECTOR
  • BRADLEY COOPER — DIRECTOR
  • CAROL D SCHAEFER — DIRECTOR
  • CHARLES CY CHEN — DIRECTOR
  • CHARLES F NIEMETH — DIRECTOR
  • CHRISTIAN A LANGE — DIRECTOR
  • CHRISTOPHER KELLEN — DIRECTOR
  • CLAUDIO X GONZALEZ — DIRECTOR
  • DAISY M SOROS — SECRETARY
  • DANIIL TRIFONOV — DIRECTOR
  • DARIA L WALLACH — VICE CHAIR
  • DR AVI KATZ — DIRECTOR
relationships · 35

Who they work with

  • Bezos Family Foundation Funder — Provides additional support for the Youth Mentorship Program.
  • Brodsky Family Foundation Funder — Provides additional support for the Youth Mentorship Program.
  • Deanna Bittker Foundation Funder — Generous funder supporting education programming.
  • Donald A. Pels Education Fund Funder — Generous funder supporting education programming.
  • Ed and Kathy Ludwig Funder — Generous funder supporting education programming.
  • Edward John Noble Endowment Fund Funder — Generous funder supporting education programming.
  • Herbert M. Citrin Charitable Foundation Funder — Generous funder supporting education programming.
  • Irene Rosner David, in memory of Dr. Raphael David Funder — Generous funder supporting education programming.
  • John Jay College of Criminal Justice Partner — Collaborates on programs examining complex issues of our time.
  • John Jay College of Criminal Justice Partner — Partners to examine complex social issues through the concert series "The Unanswered Questions".
  • Leni and Peter May Funder — Sponsors the 2026–27 season of the NY Phil.
  • Leni and Peter May Partner — Sponsors of the 2025–26 and 2026–27 seasons
  • Lincoln Center Partner — Co-located and collaborates on venue operations and accessibility services at David Geffen Hall.
  • Lincoln Center Partner — Co-located at Lincoln Center, where the New York Philharmonic performs at David Geffen Hall.
  • Macaulay Honors College Partner — Collaborates on programs examining complex issues of our time.
  • Macaulay Honors College Partner — Partners to examine complex social issues through the concert series "The Unanswered Questions".
  • Mitsui & Co. (U.S.A), Inc. Funder — Generous funder supporting education programming.
  • National Endowment for the Arts Government — Provides public funding support for education programs.
  • National Endowment for the Arts Government — Public funder supporting education programs.
  • New York City Department of Cultural Affairs Government — Provides public funding support for education programs in partnership with the City Council.
  • New York City Department of Cultural Affairs Government — Public funder supporting education programs in partnership with the City Council.
  • New York State Council on the Arts Government — Provides public funding support for education programs with support from the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.
  • New York State Council on the Arts Government — Public funder supporting education programs with support from the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.
  • Sally E. Cummins Funder — Generous funder supporting education programming.
  • Shanghai Orchestra Academy Partner — Collaborates on a two-year post-graduate program for emerging musicians.
  • Simón Bolivar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela Partner — Collaborated with the New York Philharmonic in a performance at the FIFA World Cup 2026™ halftime celebration.
  • Tatiana by Kwame Onwuachi Partner — Operates a full-service restaurant on the lobby level of David Geffen Hall, serving Afro-Caribbean cuisine for concertgoers.
  • The Abyssinian Baptist Church Partner — Collaborates with the New York Philharmonic to deliver the Philharmonic Youth Choir program.
  • The Eagan Family Funder — Generous funder supporting education programming.
  • The Frehse Family Funder — Generous funder supporting education programming.
+ 5 more
strategies · 5

How they approach the work

Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.

  • Artistic Renewal Through Repertoire Innovation
    methodology: artistic_renewal_through_repertoire_innovation
    By combining performances of timeless classical works with the commissioning and presentation of new world premieres, the organization advances symphonic music because it revitalizes the art form and attracts diverse audiences through a dynamic blend of tradition and innovation.
  • Education-Integrated Music Programming
    methodology: education-integrated_programming
    By integrating orchestral music into school curricula and offering in-school residencies, pre-concert talks, and educator-led workshops, the organization deepens student engagement because music is more impactful when connected to academic and cultural contexts.
  • Flexible Subscription Models to Increase Access and Retention
    methodology: flexible_subscription_model
    By offering subscription models with cost savings, flexible exchanges, and customizable concert series, the organization increases audience retention and access because affordability and convenience lower barriers to sustained engagement with orchestral performances.
  • Inclusive Audience Engagement Through Adaptive Programming
    methodology: inclusive_performance_design
    By designing relaxed performances and family-friendly interactive concerts, the organization increases access and engagement for neurodiverse audiences and young people because adapted formats reduce barriers and foster meaningful connection with orchestral music.
  • Venue Transformation for Enhanced Artistic Experience
    methodology: venue_transformation_for_artistic_enhancement
    By redesigning David Geffen Hall with architectural and acoustic improvements, the organization enhances both audience and performer experience because the physical environment directly supports artistic innovation and deeper sensory engagement.