CHORAL ARTS SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON
Mission Statement
At Choral Arts, we sing the music we love as a balm to frenzied days, an antidote to solitude, a union in an often-fractured world. We sing for a city with little time and high expectations, which compels us to transform a night out into a lifelong memory. Founded in 1965 by Norman Scribner (1936-2015), Choral Arts has a rich history of bringing the power of the human voice to audiences large and small. We weave our shared passion, world-class repertoire, and radiant voices into a sound that changes people. We advance the story of choral music by partnering with a myriad of musicians, composers, and ensembles. Our Mission: To reawaken human capacity for awe through the power of choral music. Our Vision: A world where powerful human experiences move people to find shared purpose, discover shared passion, and connect with the music within themselves. Our Choirs: Choral Arts ensembles embody the elemental human experience of choral singing. Symphonic Chorus – experience the power of 160 voices singing as one, as they transport you worlds away from the hustle and bustle of modern life. Chamber Singers – explore the transformative power of the human voice with our group of around 30 singers in more intimate settings. Youth Choir – journey with budding musicians as they find their voice in a changing world.
Financial Overview — FY 2025
Compared with Peers
FY 2025| Ratio | This org | Peer median | Position (P10 → P90) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Program expense ratio
Program expenses / total expenses
· higher is better
|
78.7% | 77.7% |
P10P90
|
Above median |
|
Admin expense ratio
Management and general / total expenses
· lower is better
|
10.0% | 14.2% |
P10P90
|
Above median |
|
Fundraising expense ratio
Fundraising expenses / total expenses
· lower is better
|
11.3% | 5.9% |
P10P90
|
Bottom quarter |
|
Fundraising efficiency
Fundraising expenses / gross fundraising income
· lower is better
|
62.5% | 302.5% |
P10P90
|
Top quarter |
|
Operating reserve
Months of expenses covered by net assets
· higher is better
|
26.3 mo | 15.8 mo |
P10P90
|
Above median |
|
Liabilities to assets
Total liabilities / total assets
· lower is better
|
2.1% | 11.4% |
P10P90
|
Top quarter |
|
Revenue concentration
Share of revenue from the largest source
· lower is better
|
43.6% | 70.6% |
P10P90
|
Top quarter |
|
Revenue growth
Year over year revenue growth
|
2.1% | 7.9% |
P10P90
|
|
|
Expense growth
Year over year expense growth
|
2.4% | 5.4% |
P10P90
|
|
|
Surplus margin
Surplus as a share of revenue
|
-36.5% | 0.9% |
P10P90
|
Financial History
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Net Assets | Program % | Staff |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1.7M | $2.3M | $5.0M | 78.7% | 10 |
| 2024 | $1.6M | $2.2M | $5.5M | 59.3% | 13 |
| 2023 | $1.5M | $2.1M | $5.6M | 74.7% | 10 |
| 2022 | $2.2M | $2.2M | $6.0M | 80.7% | 10 |
| 2021 | $1.8M | $1.3M | N/A | — | 13 |
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