Better Business Bureau Report for
Society for the Performing Arts

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


This BBB Accredited charity meets all 20 Standards for Charity Accountability. Find out more...


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Charity Contact Information

Name: Society for the Performing Arts
Address: 615 Louisiana, Ste. 100
  Houston, TX 77002
Phone: 713-632-8100
713-632-8116
Web Address: www.spahouston.org
Also known as:SPA
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Better Business Bureau Comments

Year, State Incorporated: 1966, Texas
Affiliates: None
Stated Purpose: Society for the Performing Arts believes that the arts are the measure of a civilized society and a catalyst for the enrichment, growth and pleasure for all citizens of that society. Society for the Performing Arts' mandate, therefore, is to create opportunities for the discovery, development, and celebration of creative abilities in whatever form they may take. Society for the Performing Arts brings a broad selection of performing artists and companies from around the world to complement Houston's own theater, dance, and music offerings. The goal of the organization is to present a wide range of the highest quality national and international caliber of classical performing artists and companies, ranging from traditional to contemporary, large orchestras and dance companies to recitalists and solo performers, new artists and art forms to multi-cultural attractions. Additionally, Society for the Performing Arts seeks to provide a variety of learning experiences for adults and children and to develop bridges between the performing arts and other interests within the greater Houston community and throughout the state of Texas.

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Evaluation Conclusions

               

Society for the Performing Arts meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.
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Programs

               

For the past 40 years, Society of the Performing Arts (SPA), has sought to introduce performing artists and people of Houston to each other. SPA attempts to span the cultural, sociological, and philosophical interests of the Houston community through the selection of diverse performances, and it also encourages pro-active participation from individuals and institutions through community outreach. Society of the Performing Arts' education and outreach programs reached 47,000 people. SPA maintains communication with all schools in Houston's Region IV, which includes 54 school districts and nearly 2,000 schools. Through this interaction, students in grades K-12 were given the opportunity to experience different cultures through the arts.

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2010, Society for the Performing Arts's program expenses were:

  
Operation, house, and box office 1,625,315
Promotion and publicity 634,590
Educational outreach 256,991
Total Program Expenses: $2,516,896
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Governance

               

Chief Executive : June Christensen, Executive Director/ CEO
Compensation*:
 $157,500

Chair of the Board: Jesse H. Jones II
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation: Investor

Board Size: 64

Paid Staff Size: 15

*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, telephone, invitations to fund raising events, grant proposals, internet, door to door, membership
Fund raising costs were 25% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $1,738,499, 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

               

The following information is based on Society for the Performing Arts' audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2010.

Source of Funds  
Contributions 1,616,499
Ticket sales 1,346,866
Change in interest in the net assets of the foundation 225,659
Net unrealized gains (losses) in investments 118,203
Underwriting 100,000
Other revenue 84,459
Co-sponsorship 83,010
Dividend and interest income 37,494
Government grants 22,000
Net losses on sales of investments -17,552
Total Income $3,616,638


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Uses of Funds as a % of Total Expenses

Programs: 78%  Fund Raising: 13%  Administrative: 9% 

Total income   $3,616,638
  Program expenses $2,516,896
  Fund raising expenses 432,672
  Administrative expenses 305,143
 
Total expenses   $3,254,711
Income in Excess of Expenses   361,927
Beginning net assets   4,519,540
Ending net assets   4,881,467
Total liabilities   473,193
Total assets   $5,354,660


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Complaints

               

The BBB has processed no complaints about this organization in the past 36 month, 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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