Better Business Bureau Report for
FotoFest, Inc.

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: FotoFest, Inc.
Address: 1113 Vine Street, Suite 101
  Houston, TX 77002
Phone: 713-223-5522
Web Address: http://www.fotofest.org/
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Better Business Bureau Comments

Year, State Incorporated: 1984, Texas
Affiliates: None
Stated Purpose: FotoFest® created the first international Biennial of Photography and Photo-related Art in the United States. FotoFest® is an international non-profit photographic arts and education organization based in Houston, Texas. FotoFest's purpose is to promote the exchange of art and ideas through international programs and the presentation of photographic art. Their programs work globally and locally, bringing together an international vision of art and cross-cultural exchange with a commitment to community involvement and the enrichment of Houston's cultural resources.

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Evaluation Conclusions

               

FotoFest, Inc. does not meet the following Standard for Charity Accountability.

Standard 11: Financial Statements - Make available to all, on request, complete annual financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. When total annual gross income exceeds $250,000, these statements should be audited in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. For charities whose annual gross income is less than $250,000, a review by a certified public accountant is sufficient to meet this standard. For charities whose annual gross income is less than $100,000, an internally produced, complete financial statement is sufficient to meet this standard.

FotoFest, Inc. does not meet this Standard because its financial statements for the past fiscal year are not audited.

Charity Response: FotoFest’s financial statements will be audited for Fiscal Year 2011–2012. All previous budgets were reviewed and approved by FotoFest’s Financial Committee and Board of Directors.
FotoFest, Inc. meets the remaining 19 Standards for Charity Accountability.
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Programs

               

The organization hosts a Biennial FotoFest. They also sponsors Inter-Biennial programs - exhibitions, international exchange programs, and publications. In grades 3-12, FotoFest operates a year-round classroom education program, Literacy Through Photography, using photography to strengthen writing skills, visual literacy, and cognitive learning. They serve 32 Houston area schools.

For the fiscal year ended April 30, 2010, FotoFest, Inc.'s program expenses were:

  
Biennial Program 1,156,905
Non-Biennial Program 141,792
LTP Program 139,344
Total Program Expenses: $1,438,041
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Governance

               

Chief Executive :
Compensation*:

Chair of the Board: Fred Baldwin
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation: Co-founder, FotoFest, Inc.

Board Size: 21

Paid Staff Size: 13

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

               

Method(s) Used:

invitations to fund raising events, grant proposals
Fund raising costs were 9% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $1,331,268, are donations received as a result of fund raising activities.)
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Financial

               

The following information is based on FotoFest, Inc.'s unaudited financial statements for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2010.

Source of Funds  
Contributions 709,888
Earned income 533,817
Special events income 383,402
In-kind contributions 237,978
Other 7,534
Total Income $1,872,619


chart



Uses of Funds as a % of Total Expenses

Programs: 82%  Fund Raising: 7%  Administrative: 11% 

Total income   $1,872,619
  Program expenses $1,438,041
  Fund raising expenses 118,611
  Administrative expenses 186,460
 
Total expenses   $1,743,112
Income in Excess of Expenses   129,507
Beginning net assets   430,622
Ending net assets   560,129
Total liabilities   162,672
Total assets   $722,801


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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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