Better Business Bureau Report for
Opera In The Heights

Better Business Bureau Report issued February 2012
Better Business Bureau Report expires February 2013


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: Opera In The Heights
Address: 1703 Heights Blvd., Lambert Hall
  Houston, TX 77008
Phone: 713-861-5303
Web Address: www.operaintheheights.org
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Better Business Bureau Comments

Year, State Incorporated:
Affiliates: None
Stated Purpose: Opera in the Heights, a professional regional company, exists to provide a stage for emerging opera performers and bring affordable opera to the greater Houston area.

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Evaluation Conclusions

              

Opera In The Heights does not meet the following 3 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.

Opera In The Heights does not meet this Standard because its audited financial statements for the year ended July 31, 2010 did not include a functional breakdown of expenses.

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.

Opera In The Heights does not meet this Standard because its wesbite does not include an internet privacy policy.

Standard 18: Privacy for Written Appeals & Internet Privacy - Address privacy concerns of donors by (a) providing in written appeals, at least annually, a means (e.g., such as a check off box) for both new and continuing donors to inform the charity if they do not want their name and address shared outside the organization, (b) providing a clear, prominent and easily accessible privacy policy on any of its websites that tells visitors (i) what information, if any, is being collected about them by the charity and how this information will be used, (ii) how to contact the charity to review personal information collected and request corrections, (iii) how to inform the charity (e.g., a check off box) that the visitor does not wish his/her personal information to be shared outside the organization, and (iv) what security measures the charity has in place to protect personal information.

Opera In The Heights does not meet this Standard because its website does not include a privacy policy.

In addition, the Houston BBB requested but did not receive complete information on the organization’s governance and oversight, effectiveness measures, finances, and annual report and is unable to verify the organization's compliance with the following 7Standards for Charity Accountability: 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 14, and 16.
Opera In The Heights meets the remaining 9 Standards for Charity Accountability. Please note that as of the date of this report 1 out of the 20Standards for Charity Accountability are not currently effective. As a result, this standard has not been applied to this evaluation.
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Programs

              

• Nearly 8,000 people attended four fully staged main stage productions (26 performances) in 2010. Eight Boeing Dress Rehearsals are free to the public. • During the last three years, 17,000 audience members saw their productions; 75 principal singers built their skills and resumes; 70 orchestra members and 45 chorus members were employed.

For the fiscal year ended July 31, 2010, Opera In The Heights's program expenses were:

  
Opera production and education 531,093
Total Program Expenses: $531,093
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Governance

              

Chief Executive : Larry Fried, Executive Director
Compensation*:

Chair of the Board: Fred Nevill
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation:

Board Size: 25

Paid Staff Size:

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

              

Method(s) Used:


Fund raising costs were 16% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $464,479, 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  
Contributions 346,954
Ticket sales and fees 234,029
Special events 117,525
Other fees and sales 24,332
Cost of direct donor benefits -21,596
Total Income $701,244


chart



Uses of Funds as a % of Total Expenses

Programs: 77%  Fund Raising: 11%  Administrative: 12% 

Total income   $701,244
  Program expenses $531,093
  Fund raising expenses 75,090
  Administrative expenses 82,971
 
Total expenses   $689,154
Income in Excess of Expenses   12,090
Beginning net assets   191,396
Ending net assets   203,486
Total liabilities   156,230
Total assets   $359,716


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Complaints

              

The BBB has processed no complaints about this organization in the past 36 months, our standard reporting period.

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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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