Better Business Bureau Report for
Trees For Houston

Better Business Bureau Report issued May 2011
Better Business Bureau Report expires May 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: Trees For Houston
Address: 4550 Post Oak Place Drive Suite 310
  Houston, TX 77027
Phone: 713-840-8733
Web Address: treesforhouston.org
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Better Business Bureau Comments

Year, State Incorporated: 1983, Texas
Affiliates: None
Stated Purpose: Trees For Houston plants, protects and promotes trees.

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Evaluation Conclusions

              

Trees For Houston does not meet the following 2 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.

Trees for Houston does not meet this standard because the average of three best attended board meetings is less than 50%.

Standard 8: Program Service Expense Ratio - Spend at least 65% of its total expenses on program activities.

Trees for Houston does not meet this standard because less than 65% of total expenses were spent on program actvities.

Trees For Houston meets the remaining 18 Standards for Charity Accountability.
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Programs

              

Trees For Houston is the nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to planting, protecting and promoting trees. Since our incorporation in 1983, we have planted over 378,740 street trees and seedlings. Trees For Houston improves the quality of life in Houston by addressing urban forest issues through action and education. We work with public and private sectors, and encourage the involvement of corporate, foundation and individual partners. Programs • Parkways and Forestation Projects plant trees in public rights-of-way, thereby fostering local pride and helping make our city a more beautiful place to live. • Parkways Projects involve tree planting along streets and in neighborhoods throughout the city, and on major thoroughfares. • Forestation involves large scale “forest type” plantings. Trees For Houston envisions our bayous, hike & bike trails and rights-of-way filled with healthy green trees which add to the beauty of the city and enhance the quality of life for all Houstonians. • Education Programs are crucial to increasing our urban forest canopy and improving our environment. • The Trees for Schools program plants trees around the perimeter of approximately 20 schools each year. An educational program is presented to 3rd & 4th grade students on the value of trees and their role in the environment. • Our adult education curriculum the “Urban ForesTree Keeper” program is a tree care and urban forestry course offered each fall to interested Houstonians. They learn proper tree planting, pruning and general tree care and graduates of the class are involved with our volunteer plantings. • Membership Program provides information and project involvement for individuals and families. Members are the foundation of our organization and receive invitations to volunteer plantings, our annual Root Ball event and our Arbor Day celebration, as well as our TreE-Mail and newsletters. • Formed in 2001, RedBuds are young Houstonians interested in serving as environmentally conscious donors and volunteers committed to aiding in the planting of trees. • Our Tribute Program offers the opportunity to commemorate special people or events by planting a tree in our Tribute Grove located in Hermann Park.

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

  
Tree acquisition, planting, and maintenance 406,534
Education and membership programs 88,004
Total Program Expenses: $494,538
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Governance

              

Chief Executive : Barry J. Ward, Executive Director
Compensation*:
$108,771

Chair of the Board: John Cutler
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation: SWA Group - Landscape Architect

Board Size: 30

Paid Staff Size: 7

*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
Fund raising costs were 11% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $1,224,023, are donations received as a result of fund raising activities.)
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Financial

              

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

Source of Funds  
Contributions 840,831
Special event revenue 383,192
Interest income 2,229
Cost of direct donor benefits -80,203
Total Income $1,146,049


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Uses of Funds as a % of Total Expenses

Programs: 64%  Fund Raising: 18%  Administrative: 18% 

Total income   $1,146,049
  Program expenses $494,538
  Fund raising expenses 138,708
  Administrative expenses 141,395
 
Total expenses   $774,641
Income in Excess of Expenses   371,408
Beginning net assets   1,171,465
Ending net assets   1,542,873
Total liabilities   17,856
Total assets   $1,560,729


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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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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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