890430093RR0001 — 0190
Registered — Hamilton, ON — Charitable Organization
Scores: Legitimacy 100/100 · Effectiveness 96/100
Financials: Revenue $2,436,252 · Expenditures $2,442,007
The Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra (2000) is a thirty-year-old professional orchestra carrying an A+ grade on the strength of 7.8 months of reserves, clean governance, a 79.1% program ratio, and steady revenue growth to $2.44 million. The 15.3% compensation ratio is low for a professional orchestra because musicians are typically engaged as contract-fee artists rather than salaried staff, with their fees classified as program expenses.
Our Verdict: A professional Hamilton orchestra with thirty years of continuous operation, strong reserves, and disciplined financial management — donors supporting symphonic music in Hamilton are giving to a mature arts organization with the fundamentals of a well-run regional orchestra.