Better Business Bureau Report for
Chicago School Of Violin Making, Inc.

Better Business Bureau Report issued February 2012
Better Business Bureau Report expires February 2014


Does not meet one or more standards
This charity does not meet one or more of the 20 standards for Charity Accountability. Find out more...


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Charity Contact Information

Name: Chicago School Of Violin Making, Inc.
Address: 3636 Oakton St.
  Skokie, IL 60076
Phone: 847-673-9545
Web Address: www.csvm.org
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Better Business Bureau Comments

Year, State Incorporated: 2002, Illinois
Affiliates: None
Stated Purpose: The Chicago School of Violin Making provides training in violin making to a diverse and international student body. Believing that string music greatly enriches our lives and communities, the school has three main goals: * To produce graduates ready to enter the professions of making, repairing and restoring violin family instruments. * To promote the highest levels of traditional craftsmanship to serve musicians and their instruments * To build awareness of and appreciation for the art of violin making.

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Evaluation Conclusions

               

Chicago School Of Violin Making, Inc. does not meet the following 4 Standards for Charity Accountability.

Standard 12: Detailed Functional Breakdown of Expenses - Include in the financial statements a breakdown of expenses (e.g., salaries, travel, postage, etc.) that shows what portion of these expenses was allocated to program, fund raising, and administrative activities. If the charity has more than one major program category, the schedule should provide a breakdown for each category.

Standard 13: Accuracy of Expenses in Financial Statements - Accurately report the charity's expenses, including any joint cost allocations, in its financial statements. For example, audited or unaudited statements which inaccurately claim zero fund raising expenses or otherwise understate the amount a charity spends on fund raising, and/or overstate the amount it spends on programs will not meet this standard.

Standard 16: Annual Report - Have an annual report available to all, on request, that includes: (a) the organization's mission statement, (b) a summary of the past year's program service accomplishments, (c) a roster of the officers and members of the board of directors, (d) financial information that includes (i) total income in the past fiscal year, (ii) expenses in the same program, fund raising and administrative categories as in the financial statements, and (iii) ending net assets.

Chicago School Of Violin Making, Inc. does not meet this standard because:

  • The organization states it does not have an annual report covering activities conducted in the past year.

Standard 17: Web Site Disclosures - Include on any charity websites that solicit contributions, the same information that is recommended for annual reports, as well as the mailing address of the charity and electronic access to its most recent IRS Form 990.

Chicago School Of Violin Making, Inc. does not meet this Standard because the organization's website, www.csvm.org, does not include all of the recommended information for those charity websites that solicit for donations. Specifically, it does not include:

  • Total income.
  • Total program expenses.
  • Total fund raising expenses.
  • Total administrative expenses.
  • End of year net assets.
In addition, the BBB of Chicago & Northern Illinois requested but did not receive complete information on the organization’s governance and oversight, effectiveness measures, and finances and is unable to verify the organization's compliance with the following 6Standards for Charity Accountability: 1, 3, 6, 7, 8, and 9.
Chicago School Of Violin Making, Inc. meets the remaining 10 Standards for Charity Accountability.
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Programs

               

The three-year program is divided into nine 14-week trimesters for a total of 126 weeks (3,780 class hours). Class days are Monday through Friday from 8:30 A.M. to 3:30 P.M. Students work with the instructors on an individual and/or small group basis; most instruction is given through demonstration. The program's focus is on construction of instruments in the violin family. A minimum of seven instruments are built in the three years; of these, three must be violins and one must be a viola. The remaining three instruments are the student's choice, with instructor approval. The building of a cello is optional. Bi-weekly, half-hour individual violin lessons and large ensemble are required, and are an important aspect of the program. Previous playing experience, while helpful, is not required for admission. Each student compiles a construction notebook from notes taken during demonstrations and lectures. Using diagrams, drawings, and written notes, this notebook becomes the student's bench manual in which revisions and additions will be made throughout the three years. The completed notebook is a requirement for graduation and will be presented with the student's work at the graduation program. Technical drawing is incorporated regularly into each trimester schedule. Students will complete at least two technical drawings, one of which will be made during the six-week graduation testing period. The theory of sound production and violin design is incorporated into the construction learning process. Students are given opportunities through tours and visiting lecturers to see and hear violins made by old and modern masters. Required reading in history and identification is supplemented by lectures and discussions

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010, Chicago School Of Violin Making, Inc.'s program expenses were:

  
salaries and wages 124,376
SEP contribution 12,577
payroll taxes expense 10,817
Library supplies 2,018
contract labor 1,698
travel expenses 836
first aid supplies 144
miscellaneous 21
Total Program Expenses: $152,487
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Governance

               

Chief Executive :
Compensation*:

Chair of the Board: James Zartman
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation: President

Co-Chair of the Board : Jessie Gilbert

Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation:

Board Size: 8

Paid Staff Size: 5

*Compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
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Fund Raising

               

Method(s) Used:

direct mail, invitations to fund raising events, internet
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Tax Status

               

This organization is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.
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Financial

               

The following information is based on Chicago School Of Violin Making, Inc.'s audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010.

Source of Funds  
Tuition 244,122
Donations 48,367
Resale 29,075
Grants 8,653
Reunion fees 1,985
Interest income 13
Total Income $332,215


chart



Uses of Funds as a % of Total Expenses

Programs: 60%    Administrative: 40% 

Total income   $332,215
  Program expenses $152,487
  Fund raising expenses 0
  Administrative expenses 102,430
 
Total expenses   $254,917
Income in Excess of Expenses   77,298
Beginning net assets   275,854
Ending net assets   337,238
Total liabilities  
Total assets   $337,238


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New Section

               

Chicago School of Violin Making reported no fundraising expenses for the 2010 fiscal year, see the Evaluation Conclusions section of this report for more information.

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An organization may change its practices at any time without notice. A copy of this report has been shared with the organization prior to publication. It is not intended to recommend or deprecate, and is furnished solely to assist you in exercising your own judgment. If the report is about a charity and states the charity meets or does not meet the BBB Standards for Charity Accountability, it reflects the results of an evaluation of information and materials provided voluntarily by the charity. The name Better Business Bureau is a registered service mark of the Council of Better Business Bureaus, Inc.

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