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Nonprofit · EIN 39-6023436

MILWAUKEE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA INC

Tax-exempt · MILWAUKEE, WI 53203

Financials

$18.5M$23.3M2022$20.4M$23.6M2023$19.8M$23.5M2024
Revenue Expenses · by fiscal year end
Financials of MILWAUKEE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA INC by year, from its e-filed returns
Year endedFormRevenueExpensesNet incomeTotal assetsLiabilitiesNet assets
August 31, 2025990$19,800,512$23,482,388-$3,681,876$145,170,901$8,432,887$136,738,014
August 31, 2024990$20,370,929$23,647,468-$3,276,539$128,508,605$6,788,170$121,720,435
August 31, 2023990$18,464,144$23,261,189-$4,797,045$124,197,590$7,378,432$116,819,158
Financial details: 990 for the year ended August 31, 2025

Revenue

Contributions, gifts and grants
$14,137,955
of which government grants
$64,269
Program service revenue
$5,667,463
Investment income
$100,119
Net gain from sales of assets
$56,826
Net income from fundraising events
-$105,025
Other revenue
-$105,025

Expenses

Grants and similar amounts paid
$0
Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
$952,469
Other salaries and wages
$10,082,640
Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
$14,529,607
Professional fundraising fees
$62,043
Occupancy
$4,364,152
Travel
$18,568
Depreciation
$107,656
Program services (functional)
$18,273,593
Management and general (functional)
$4,014,834
Fundraising (functional)
$1,193,961

Balance sheet and other

Total assets, start of year
$128,508,605
Total assets, end of year
$145,170,901
Total liabilities, end of year
$8,432,887
Net assets, end of year
$136,738,014
Land, buildings and equipment
$348,320
Net assets without donor restrictions
$80,962,070
Net assets with donor restrictions
$55,775,944
Gross receipts
$19,905,537
Employees
363
Volunteers
350
Year formed
1958
State of legal domicile
WI

From the e-filed returns the IRS publishes as XML (latest three processing years; amended returns replace the original). PDF copies at the IRS.

Officers, directors and key employees

As listed on the 990 for the year ended August 31, 2025, highest compensation first.

NameTitleHours / weekCompensationOther / benefits
MARK NIEHAUSPRESIDENT & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Trustee or director, Officer
40$386,665$11,857
KEN-DAVID MASURMUSIC DIRECTOR
Trustee or director
40$329,617$8,695
TOM LINDOWVP AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Officer
40$190,264$8,541
JINWOO LEEMUSICIAN
Highest-paid employee
40$191,627$2,661
MONICA KRISTINE MEYER BEALEVP OF ADVANCEMENT (THRU 4/5/25)
Highest-paid employee
40$151,970$6,776
BRET DORHOUTVP OF ARTISTIC
Highest-paid employee
40$143,495$5,902
SUSAN BABINIMUSICIAN
Highest-paid employee
40$109,402$24,548
ILANA SETAPENMUSICIAN
Highest-paid employee
40$118,546$1,727
SUSAN MARTINBOARD CHAIRMAN
Trustee or director, Officer
10$0$0
ANDY NUNEMAKERIMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR(THRU12/12/2024)
Trustee or director, Officer
10$0$0
PATRICK MURPHYTREASURER
Trustee or director, Officer
5$0$0
ALYCE COYNE KATAYAMABOARD SECRETARY
Trustee or director, Officer
5$0$0
KATE BREWERBOARD DIRECTOR (THRU 12/12/2024)
Trustee or director
1$0$0
JEFF COSTAKOSBOARD DIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
JENNIFER DIRKSBOARD DIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
32 more people on this return
NameTitleHours / weekCompensation
DOUGLAS HAGERMANBOARD DIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
STEVE HANCOCKBOARD DIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
CHARLOTTE HAYSLETTBOARD DIRECTOR (THRU 12/12/2024)
Trustee or director
1$0
ERIC HOBBSBOARD DIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
PETER MAHLERBOARD DIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
MARK METZENDORFBOARD DIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
ROBERT MONNATBOARD DIRECTOR
Trustee or director
5$0
CHRISTIAN MITCHELLBOARD DIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
MAURA PACKHAMBOARD DIRECTOR (THRU 12/12/2024)
Trustee or director
1$0
LESLIE PLAMANNBOARD DIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
MICHAEL J SCHMITZBOARD DIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
CRAIG SCHMUTZERBOARD DIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
JAY SCHWISTERBOARD DIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
DALE SMITHBOARD DIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
GREGORY SMITHBOARD DIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
HARUKI TOYAMABOARD DIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
HERB ZIENBOARD DIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
PAM STAMPENBOARD DIRECTOR
Trustee or director
5$0
SACHIN CHHEDACOUNTY APPOINTED DIRECTOR
Trustee or director
5$0
PEGGE SYTKOWSKICOUNTY APPOINTED DIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
THEODORE PERLICK MOLINARICITY APPOINTED DIRECTOR
Trustee or director
5$0
FIESHA LYNN BELLCITY APPOINTED DIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
GARREN RANDOLPHCITY APPOINTED DIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
TOM ZALEBOARD DIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
RENEE HERZINGBOARD DIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
TRACY TAVOLIERBOARD DIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
DAN BYRNEBOARD DIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
TERESA MOGENSENBOARD DIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
NIKO RUUDCOUNTY APPOINTED DIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
RENE IZQUIERDOCOUNTY APPOINTED DIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
DAVID UIHLEINHONORARY CO-CHAIR
Officer
1$0
JULIE UIHLEINHONORARY CO-CHAIR
Officer
1$0
990 for the year ended August 31, 2024: 38 people
NameTitleHours / weekCompensationOther / benefits
MARK NIEHAUSPRESIDENT & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Trustee or director, Officer
40$368,285$16,231
KEN-DAVID MASURMUSIC DIRECTOR
Trustee or director
40$316,999$9,743
TOM LINDOWVP AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Officer
40$165,276$6,815
BRET DORHOUTVP ARTISTIC PLANNING
Highest-paid employee
40$135,252$5,791
ILANA SETAPENMUSICIAN
Highest-paid employee
40$137,320$1,733
MONICA KRISTINE MEYER BEALEVP OF ADVANCEMENT
Highest-paid employee
40$130,374$5,042
SUSAN BABINIMUSICIAN
Highest-paid employee
40$102,480$23,969
MATTHEW ANNINMUSICIAN
Highest-paid employee
40$103,814$14,340
SUSAN MARTINBOARD CHAIRMAN
Trustee or director, Officer
10$0$0
ANDY NUNEMAKERIMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR
Trustee or director, Officer
10$0$0
PATRICK MURPHYTREASURER
Trustee or director, Officer
5$0$0
ALYCE COYNE KATAYAMABOARD SECRETARY
Trustee or director, Officer
5$0$0
KATE BREWERBOARD DIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
JEFF COSTAKOSBOARD DIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
JENNIFER DIRKSBOARD DIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
DOUGLAS HAGERMANBOARD DIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
STEVE HANCOCKBOARD DIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
CHARLOTTE HAYSLETTBOARD DIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
ERIC HOBBSBOARD DIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
PETER MAHLERBOARD DIRECTOR
Trustee or director
5$0$0
MARK METZENDORFBOARD DIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
ROBERT MONNATBOARD DIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
CHRISTIAN MITCHELLBOARD DIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
MAURA PACKHAMBOARD DIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
LESLIE PLAMANNBOARD DIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
MICHAEL J SCHMITZBOARD DIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
CRAIG SCHMUTZERBOARD DIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
JAY SCHWISTERBOARD DIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
DALE SMITHBOARD DIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
GREGORY SMITHBOARD DIRECTOR
Trustee or director
5$0$0
HARUKI TOYAMABOARD DIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
HERB ZIENBOARD DIRECTOR
Trustee or director
5$0$0
PAM STAMPENBOARD DIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
SACHIN CHHEDACOUNTY APPOINTED DIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
PEGGE SYTKOWSKICOUNTY APPOINTED DIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
THEODORE PERLICK MOLINARICITY APPOINTED DIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
FIESHA LYNN BELLCITY APPOINTED DIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
GARREN RANDOLPHCITY APPOINTED DIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
990 for the year ended August 31, 2023: 41 people
NameTitleHours / weekCompensationOther / benefits
MARK NIEHAUSPRESIDENT & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Trustee or director, Officer
40$381,635$27,334
KEN MASURMUSIC DIRECTOR
Trustee or director
40$292,290$37,048
ROBIN SASMAN THRU 122322VP AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Officer
40$132,732$31,183
BRET DORHOUTVP ARTISTIC PLANNING
Highest-paid employee
40$134,266$13,683
SUSAN MARTINBOARD CHAIRMAN
Trustee or director, Officer
10$0$0
ANDY NUNEMAKERIMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR
Trustee or director, Officer
10$0$0
DAVID UIHLEINHONORARY CO-CHAIR
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0$0
JULIE UIHLEINHONORARY CO-CHAIR
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0$0
PATRICK MURPHYTREASURER
Trustee or director, Officer
5$0$0
ALYCE COYNE KATAYAMABOARD SECRETARY
Trustee or director, Officer
5$0$0
KATE BREWERBOARD DIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
JEFF COSTAKOSBOARD DIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
JENNIFER DIRKSBOARD DIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
DOUGLAS HAGERMANBOARD DIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
STEVE HANCOCKBOARD DIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
CHARLOTTE HAYSLETTBOARD DIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
ERIC HOBBSBOARD DIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
KAREN HUNGBOARD DIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
ERIC JORGENSENBOARD DIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
PETER MAHLERBOARD DIRECTOR
Trustee or director
5$0$0
MARK METZENDORFBOARD DIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
CHRISTOPHER MILLERBOARD DIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
ROBERT MONNATBOARD DIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
CHRISTIAN MITCHELLBOARD DIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
MAURA PACKHAMBOARD DIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
LESLIE PLAMANNBOARD DIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
MICHAEL J SCHMITZBOARD DIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
CRAIG SCHMUTZERBOARD DIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
JAY SCHWISTERBOARD DIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
DALE SMITHBOARD DIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
GREGORY SMITHBOARD DIRECTOR
Trustee or director
5$0$0
DICK STOLLBOARD DIRECTOR
Trustee or director
5$0$0
HARUKI TOYAMABOARD DIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
HERB ZIENBOARD DIRECTOR
Trustee or director
5$0$0
SACHIN CHHEDACOUNTY APPOINTED DIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
PEGGE SYTKOWSKICOUNTY APPOINTED DIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
FRANCIS WASIELEWSKICOUNTY APPOINTED DIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
FIESHA LYNN BELLCITY APPOINTED DIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
CHRISTOPHER LAYDENCITY APPOINTED DIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
GARREN RANDOLPHCITY APPOINTED DIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
THOMAS LINDOW START 013023VP AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Officer
40$0$0

Address and contacts

Address (IRS master file)
212 W WISCONSIN AVENUE, MILWAUKEE, WI 53203-2307
Principal officer (990 for 2024)
MARK NIEHAUS, 212 W WISCONSIN AVE, MILWAUKEE, WI 53203
Signed the 990
MARK NIEHAUS, PRESIDENT
Phone
(414) 291-6010
Return prepared by
SIKICH LLC

Mission

THE MILWAUKEE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, INC. ("MSO") REACHES OUT TO DIVERSE AUDIENCES THROUGH CONCERT PERFORMANCES AND NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED EDUCATION AND OUTREACH PROGRAMS. ALL PROGRAMS ARE GUIDED BY THE MSO FAMILY SHARED VISION WHICH STATES THAT THE MSO EXISTS FOR THREE PURPOSES: TO COMFORT, EDUCATE, ENTERTAIN AND EXHILARATE THE HUMAN SOUL THROUGH EVENTS OF CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE, RELEVANCE AND ARTISTIC CHALLENGE; TO EMBRACE, PRESERVE AND FOSTER OUR MUSICAL HERITAGE; AND TO ENHANCE THE VIBRANCY OF OUR COMMUNITY.

990 for the year ended August 31, 2025

Program accomplishments

  • THE MILWAUKEE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, LED BY MUSIC DIRECTOR KEN-DAVID MASUR, IS AMONG THE FINEST ORCHESTRAS IN THE NATION AND THE LARGEST CULTURAL INSTITUTION IN WISCONSIN. SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN 1959, THE MSO HAS FOUND INNOVATIVE WAYS TO GIVE MUSIC A HOME IN THE REGION, DEVELOP MUSIC APPRECIATION AND TALENT AMONG AREA YOUTH, AND RAISE THE NATIONAL REPUTATION OF MILWAUKEE.THE MSO'S FULL-TIME PROFESSIONAL MUSICIANS PERFORM OVER 135 CLASSICS, POPS, FAMILY, EDUCATION, AND COMMUNITY CONCERTS EACH SEASON IN VENUES THROUGHOUT THE STATE. A PIONEER AMONG AMERICAN ORCHESTRAS, THE MSO HAS PERFORMED WORLD AND AMERICAN PREMIERES OF WORKS BY JOHN ADAMS, ROBERTO SIERRA, PHILIP GLASS, GEOFFREY GORDON, MARC NEIKRUG, CAMILLE PPIN, MATTHIAS PINTSCHER, AND DOBRINKA TABAKOVA, AS WELL AS GARNERED NATIONAL RECOGNITION AS THE FIRST AMERICAN ORCHESTRA TO OFFER LIVE RECORDINGS ON ITUNES.IN JANUARY OF 2021, THE MSO COMPLETED A YEARS-LONG PROJECT TO RESTORE AND RENOVATE A FORMER MOVIE PALACE IN THE HEART OF DOWNTOWN MILWAUKEE. THE BRADLEY SYMPHONY CENTER OFFICIALLY OPENED TO AUDIENCES IN OCTOBER 2021. THIS PROJECT HAS SPARKED A RENEWAL ON WEST WISCONSIN AVENUE AND CONTINUES TO BE A CATALYST IN THE COMMUNITY.THE MSO'S STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE EXTENDS BEYOND THE CONCERT HALL AND INTO THE COMMUNITY, REACHING MORE THAN 30,000 CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES THROUGH ITS ARTS IN COMMUNITY EDUCATION (ACE) PROGRAM, YOUTH AND TEEN CONCERTS, FAMILY SERIES, AND MEET THE MUSIC PRE-CONCERT TALKS. CELEBRATING ITS 35TH YEAR, THE NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED ACE PROGRAM INTEGRATES ARTS EDUCATION ACROSS ALL SUBJECTS AND DISCIPLINES, PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS WHEN BUDGET CUTS MAY ELIMINATE ARTS PROGRAMMING. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES LESSON PLANS AND SUPPORTING MATERIALS, CLASSROOM VISITS FROM MSO MUSICIAN ENSEMBLES AND ARTISTS FROM LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS, AND AN MSO CONCERT TAILORED TO EACH GRADE LEVEL. THIS SEASON, MORE THAN 5,900 STUDENTS AND 500 TEACHERS AND FACULTY ARE EXPECTED TO PARTICIPATE IN ACE BOTH IN PERSON AND IN A VIRTUAL FORMAT.
    Expenses $17,757,037 · revenue $5,501,148
  • THE MSO'S STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE EXTENDS BEYOND THE CONCERT HALL AND INTO THE COMMUNITY, REACHING MORE THAN 30,000 CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES THROUGH ITS ARTS IN COMMUNITY EDUCATION (ACE) PROGRAM, YOUTH AND TEEN CONCERTS, FAMILY SERIES, AND MEET THE MUSIC PRE-CONCERT TALKS. CELEBRATING ITS 35TH YEAR, THE NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED ACE PROGRAM INTEGRATES ARTS EDUCATION ACROSS ALL SUBJECTS AND DISCIPLINES, PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS WHEN BUDGET CUTS MAY ELIMINATE ARTS PROGRAMMING. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES LESSON PLANS AND SUPPORTING MATERIALS, CLASSROOM VISITS FROM MSO MUSICIAN ENSEMBLES AND ARTISTS FROM LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS, AND AN MSO CONCERT TAILORED TO EACH GRADE LEVEL. THIS SEASON, MORE THAN 5,900 STUDENTS AND 500 TEACHERS AND FACULTY ARE EXPECTED TO PARTICIPATE IN ACE BOTH IN PERSON AND IN A VIRTUAL FORMAT.
    Expenses $516,556 · revenue $166,315

What it must file and when

IRS records say it files Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N. Its accounting year ends in August, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.

Tax yearYear endedDueIRS public records
2025August 31, 2026January 15, 2027Not due yet
2024August 31, 2025January 15, 2026990 on file
2023August 31, 2024January 15, 2025990 on file

IRS record

EIN
39-6023436
Tax-exempt status
501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
Foundation status
Publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(A)(vi))
Donations deductible (Pub 78)
Public charity, 50% deduction limit
Exempt since
1959
Accounting year ends
August
Files
Form 990 or 990-EZ
Assets (IRS master file)
$145,170,901
Income (IRS master file)
$19,905,537

Filing history

FormYear endedRevenueExpensesAssetsReturn
990August 2025$19,800,512$23,482,388$145,170,901IRS
990August 2024$20,370,929$23,647,468$128,508,605XML
990August 2023$18,464,144$23,261,189$124,197,590XML
990August 2022$27,186,172$22,299,032$121,477,891IRS
990-TAugust 2022–––IRS
990August 2021–––IRS
990August 2020–––IRS
990August 2019–––IRS
990August 2018–––IRS

990-N: the IRS bulk file holds only the latest e-Postcard per organization; earlier years come from archived copies of that file since 2020 and can have gaps (the IRS e-Postcard search lists every one). 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-T: every e-filed return in the IRS e-file index since 2019; XML for the latest three processing years, amounts from the IRS Statistics of Income extracts before that. PDF copies and determination letters at the IRS (search EIN 39-6023436).

Questions about MILWAUKEE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA INC

What is the EIN of MILWAUKEE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA INC?
The employer identification number (EIN) of MILWAUKEE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA INC is 39-6023436.
Is MILWAUKEE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA INC tax-exempt?
Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1959.
Are donations to MILWAUKEE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA INC tax-deductible?
Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
Which annual return does MILWAUKEE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA INC file?
Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N.
When is the next return of MILWAUKEE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA INC due?
The return for tax year 2025 (the year ending August 31, 2026) is due January 15, 2027. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
When did MILWAUKEE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA INC last file with the IRS?
The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended August 2025.
Who is the principal officer of MILWAUKEE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA INC?
The 990 for the year ended August 31, 2025 names MARK NIEHAUS.
Who are the officers and directors of MILWAUKEE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA INC?
The 990 for the year ended August 31, 2025 lists 47 people; 8 received compensation from the organization, the highest $386,665 (MARK NIEHAUS, PRESIDENT & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR).
How much revenue does MILWAUKEE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA INC have?
On its 990 for the year ended August 31, 2025 it reported revenue of $19,800,512, expenses of $23,482,388 and total assets of $145,170,901 at year end.

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