Better Business Bureau

Charity Contact Information BBB Wise Giving Alliance Comments Programs

Tax Status Governance Fund Raising Financial

Name:	Houston Symphony Society
Address:	615 Louisiana St., #102
	Houston, TX 77002
Phone:	713-224-4240
Web Address:	houstonsymphony.org

Houston Symphony Society meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.

During the 2008-2009 season, the Houston Symphony performed over 170 concerts for approximately 350,000 individuals in Jones Hall for the Performing Arts in downtown Houston (the home of the Houston Symphony) and many other venues throughout Harris and surrounding counties. Concert activities included the Classical Series, the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pops and other special programs. Community Connections, the cornerstone of their outreach programs, and their Sounds Like Fun! Summer Concert Series continued to play vital roles by reaching a combined audience of more than 14,025 individuals in untraditional venues in neighborhoods throughout metropolitan Houston and surrounding counties, including area schools, churches, AIDS care centers and hospices, shelters for the homeless and community centers. Additionally, their education and family concerts entertained and educated people ranging in age from 5 years to senior citizens. These performances include Time Warner Family Series, Detectives Concerts, and Explorer concert series.

For the fiscal year ended May 31, 2010, Houston Symphony Society's program expenses were:

Orchestra and concert production	17,013,738
Marketing, promotion and ticketing	3,735,003
Total Program Expenses:	$20,748,741

Chief Executive : Mark C. Hanson, Executive Director/CEO

Compensation*:

Chair of the Board: Ed Wulfe
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation: Wulf and Company

Board Size: 51

Paid Staff Size: 141

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

Method(s) Used:

direct mail, telephone, invitations to fund raising events, grant proposals

Fund raising costs were 14% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $10,229,096, are donations received as a result of fund raising activities.)

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.

The following information is based on Houston Symphony Society's audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2010.

Source of Funds
Investment return, net	7,962,392
Annual fund contributions	7,641,758
Classical and pops series	6,069,452
Other concerts	2,958,638
Special events	1,591,122
Pension liability adjustment	945,719
Government grants	749,665
Campaign for a Sound Future contributions	246,551
Other operating income	139,308
Chnage in value if interest rate swap agreement	58,087
Loss on valuation of pledges receivable	-219,024
Less cost of direct donor benefits	-401,187
Total Income	$27,742,481

Uses of Funds as a % of Total Expenses

Programs: 85%  Fund Raising: 6%  Administrative: 9%

Total income				$27,742,481
	Program expenses			$20,748,741
	Fund raising expenses			1,426,851
	Administrative expenses			2,313,938
Total expenses				$24,489,530
Income in Excess of Expenses				3,252,951
Beginning net assets				44,022,236
Ending net assets				47,275,187
Total liabilities				18,211,219
Total assets				$65,486,406