Better Business Bureau Report for
Central Houston Civic Improvement, Inc.

Better Business Bureau Report issued April 2012
Better Business Bureau Report expires April 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: Central Houston Civic Improvement, Inc.
Address: 909 Fannin, Suite 1650
  Houston, TX 77010
Phone: 713-650-1470
Web Address:
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Better Business Bureau Comments

Year, State Incorporated: 1984, Texas
Affiliates: Central Houston, Inc.
Stated Purpose: The purpose is to operate exclusively for charitable, scientific or educational purposes in a non-profit role to support development and redevelopment of downtown Houston. The mission is to support the development and redevelopment of downtown and the central city that is critical to the continued vitality and growth of Houston.

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Evaluation Conclusions

              

Central Houston Civic Improvement, Inc. does not meet the following 6 Standards 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.

Central Houston Civic Improvement, Inc does not meet this Standard because the average of three best attended board meetings is less than 50%.

Standard 7: Board Approval of Written Report on Effectiveness - Submit to the organization's governing body, for its approval, a written report that outlines the results of the aforementioned performance and effectiveness assessment and recommendations for future actions.

Central Houston Civic Improvement, Inc. does not meet this Standard because:

  • It has never completed an effectiveness assessment.

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.

Central Houston Civic Improvement, Inc. does not meet this Standard because its audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010:

  • Reports the organization had no fund raising expenses.

Standard 14: Budget - Have a board-approved annual budget for its current fiscal year, outlining projected expenses for major program activities, fund raising, and administration.

Central Houston Civic Improvement, Inc. does not meet this Standard because, when the organization provided budget information, it indicated that the budget:

  • Did not identify total projected fund raising expenses.
  • Did not identify total projected administrative expenses.

Standard 15: Misleading Appeals - Have solicitations and informational materials, distributed by any means, that are accurate, truthful and not misleading, both in whole and in part. Appeals that omit a clear description of program(s) for which contributions are sought will not meet this standard. A charity should also be able to substantiate that the timing and nature of its expenditures are in accordance with what is stated, expressed, or implied in the charity's solicitations.

Central Houston Civic Improvement, Inc. does not meet this Standard because no sample appeals were provided.

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.

Central Houston Civic Improvement, Inc. does not meet this standard because:

  • The organization states it does not have an annual report covering activities conducted in the past year.
In addition, the Houston BBB requested but did not receive complete information on the organization’s finances and is unable to verify the organization's compliance with the following 2Standards for Charity Accountability: 9 and 12.
Central Houston Civic Improvement, Inc. meets the remaining 10 Standards for Charity Accountability. Please note that as of the date of this report 2 out of the 20Standards for Charity Accountability are not currently effective. As a result, these 2standards have not been applied to this evaluation.
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Programs

              

Activities include planning, encouraging economic development, addressing transportation issues, improving public safety, initiating homeless programs, supporting cultural and entertainment programs and facilities, and developing quality of life in downtown Houston's public spaces.

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010, Central Houston Civic Improvement, Inc.'s program expenses were:

  
Business Development 284,566
Market Square Park 72,500
Sustainability Program 60,056
GRB Master Plan 20,687
Other Programs 10,704
Urban Collaborative 7,500
Total Program Expenses: $456,013
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Governance

              

Chief Executive : Robert M Eury, President
Compensation*:
$

Chair of the Board: Chip Carlisle
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation: Regional President, Texas Region, Wells Fargo

Board Size: 42

Paid Staff Size: 2

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

              

Method(s) Used:

none
Fund raising costs were % of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $734,652, 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 Central Houston Civic Improvement, Inc.'s audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010.

Source of Funds  
Contributions 734,652
Administrative Fee 17,202
Interest & Dividends 135
Total Income $751,989


chart



Uses of Funds as a % of Total Expenses

Programs: 96%    Administrative: 4% 

Total income   $751,989
  Program expenses $456,013
  Fund raising expenses
  Administrative expenses 18,106
 
Total expenses   $474,119
Income in Excess of Expenses   277,870
Beginning net assets   299,404
Ending net assets   577,274
Total liabilities   24,195
Total assets   $601,469


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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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