Orchestre Symphonique de Montreal is a 3-star charity with an A- results reporting grade, which is above average. For every dollar donated to the charity, 18 cents are available to go to the cause. This is outside of Ci’s reasonable range for overhead spending. It has $108m in reserve funds, that can cover annual program costs for 3.5 years.

Founded in 1934, Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal (OSM) is a professional arts organization that performs symphonic music and concerts of international artists. OSM is made up of more than 94 permanent musicians in five categories: strings, woodwind, brass, percussion, and harp. Rafel Payar is the current musical director, becoming the ninth director in OSM’s history.

In F2023, OSM performed a total of 188 concerts, which were offered in-hall, via webcast and outdoors. A total of 305,285 people attended in-person performances, and 111,021 people watched via webcast. The charity offers many free in-person concerts and events throughout the year, attended by 122,328 people in F2023. OSM’s international tour included six concerts in Europe and two concerts in the United States.

Through its education programs, the OSM offers young people opportunities to explore symphonic music. It provides virtual tools, masterclasses, concerts, competitions, and summer activities for primary and secondary school students. In F2023, the charity reports that 17,195 students were reached through 12 in-hall and five webcast school matinee performances. The OSM competition hosted 40 contestants and eight adjudicators. OSM also provides free extracurricular music lessons to elementary school students. In F2023, 160 families enrolled in free lessons on weekends, allowing 200 children to engage with music on a weekly basis.

Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal’s audited financial statements for F2023 and F2022 lack the financial notes. As a result, the following analysis might not fully capture or accurately reflect the charity’s financial position.

Ci has consolidated OSM’s financials with figures from Fondation de l’Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal (the foundation) audited financial statements.

In F2023, Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal received $4.9m in donations, and $12.2m in fees for service. It also received $12.0m in government funding, which is 30% of revenues. The charity reports spending $30.4m on program costs in F2023 (77% of revenues), but does not provide a breakdown of program costs.

Administrative costs are 11% of revenues (less investment income) and fundraising costs are 71% of donations. This results in total overhead spending of 82%. For every dollar donated, 18 cents are available to go to the cause. This is outside of Ci’s reasonable range of 65 to 95 cents. 

The charity and foundation have $107.9m in reserve funds, which can cover annual program costs for three years and seven months. OSM recorded a surplus of $2.3m in F2023, which is 6% of total revenues.

This report is an update that has been sent to l’Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal. Changes and edits may be forthcoming.

Updated August 14, 2024 by Alexia Tudose.