Maryland ’ s largest arts organization , the BSO is unique by having a full-time ensemble of 83 + musicians – creative citizens who live , teach , and contribute in our communities .

We are seeing extraordinary movement in the right direction , but the BSO ’ s financial position remains one in active recovery . ​For the fiscal year ended August 31 , 2024 , the BSO anticipates a decreased operating deficit on a multi-year road to financial sustainability .

In addition to important earned revenue growth ( 20 % above earned revenues for the previous season ), the BSO continues to be the recipient of generous gifts to and beyond the Annual Fund . During FY2024 alone , we raised more than $ 8.5M in new gifts / pledges to the endowment ( supporting the Orchestra , the OrchKids Fund , and new scholarship funds for the BSYO ). These gifts are to be celebrated and will help to ensure our largest annual donor , the Baltimore Symphony Endowment Trust ( BSET ), can generate a sustaining annual draw and support best aligned with the BSO ’ s annual budget . Equally important to the total impact of the Endowment is market health , and together with our investment managers at Glenmede , we can report returns for the Fiscal Year of 16.8 % net of fees against a blended benchmark of 14.7 %.

The support and strategic partnership of the endowment cannot be understated . Informed in part by exciting growth , positive momentum , and a multi-year plan , the BSET made a strategic investment in the BSO ’ s operating budget in the form of special distribution for FY2024 and FY2025 . Equally important was a need to honor progressive commitments to the Orchestra and bridge remaining gaps in earned revenue as the BSO continued to build back to total pre-pandemic levels . The BSO is committed to restoring this special distribution to the BSET over several years . Critical to this plan will be the achievement of balanced results beginning in FY2025 ( year ending August 31 , 2025 ), a goal reflected in a Board-approved budget embracing new efficiencies in operating expenses .

As a non-profit organization , the BSO makes its consolidated Audited Financial Statements and Form 990s available to the public . Read more at BSOmusic . org / reports .