Better Business Bureau Report for
Ensemble Theatre

Better Business Bureau Report issued July 2011
Better Business Bureau Report expires July 2012


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: Ensemble Theatre
Address: 3535 Main St.
  Houston, TX 77002
Phone: 713-520-0055
Web Address: www.ensemblehouston.com
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Better Business Bureau Comments

Year, State Incorporated: 1977, Texas
Affiliates: None
Stated Purpose: The mission of The Ensemble Theatre is to preserve African American artistic expression, to enlighten, entertain and enrich a diverse community.

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Evaluation Conclusions

               

Ensemble Theatre does not meet the following Standard for Charity Accountability.

Standard 3: Frequency and Attendance of Board Meetings - An organization shall have a minimum of three evenly spaced meetings per year of the full governing body with a majority in attendance, with face-to-face participation. A conference call of the full board can substitute for one of the three meetings of the governing body. For all meetings, alternative modes of participation are acceptable for those with physical disabilities.

Ensemble Theatre does not meet this Standard because the average of three best attended is less than 50%.
Ensemble Theatre meets the remaining 19 Standards for Charity Accountability.
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Programs

               

The Ensemble produces a Mainstage Season of 5ive to six contemporary and classical works devoted to the portrayal of the African American experience by local and national playwrights and artists. The Ensemble’s Performing Arts Education program provides educational workshops, artist-in-residence experiences, and live performances for students both off-site and at the theatre, and the Young Performers Program offers summer training for youth ages 7 to 17 encompassing instruction in all disciplines of the theatre arts. Through its programs, The Ensemble reaches over 60,000 people annually.

For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2010, Ensemble Theatre's program expenses were:

  
Total: 1,213,435
Total Program Expenses: $1,213,435
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Governance

               

Chief Executive : Janette L. Cosley, Executive Director
Compensation*:

Highest Paid Executive: Eileen J. Morris,Artistic Director
Compensation*: $72,581

Chair of the Board: Argentina M. Sames
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation: Hillday Public Relations - P.R. Firm

Board Size: 35

Paid Staff Size: 14

*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, grant proposals, email annual fund appeal
Fund raising costs were 18% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $998,454, are donations received as a result of fund raising activities.)
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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

               


Source of Funds  
Artistic revenue 564,629
Grants and foundations 360,233
Fundraising proceeds 281,756
Contributions 221,271
In-Kind contributions: program 86,244
Facility rental 55,235
In-Kind contributions: support 48,950
Other income 455
Total Income $1,618,773


chart



Uses of Funds as a % of Total Expenses

Programs: 73%  Fund Raising: 11%  Administrative: 16% 

Total income   $1,618,773
  Program expenses $1,213,435
  Fund raising expenses 181,890
  Administrative expenses 259,063
 
Total expenses   $1,654,388
Expenses in Excess of Income   (35,615)
Beginning net assets   2,473,986
Ending net assets   2,438,371
Total liabilities   418,198
Total assets   $2,856,569


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Complaints

               

When considering complaint information, please take into account the business's size and volume of transactions, and understand that the nature of complaints and a firm's responses to them are often more important than the number of complaints.

BBB processed a total of 1 complaint(s) about this business in the last 36 months, our standard reporting period. Of the total 1 complaint(s) closed in the last 36 months, 0 were closed in the last 12 months.

These complaints concerned:

1   regarding Refund Or Exchange Issues

 

These complaints were closed as:

1   Resolved
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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.

This report is not to be used for fund raising or promotional purposes.

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