Better Business Bureau Report for
The Center Serving Persons with Mental Retardation

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


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


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Charity Contact Information

Name: The Center Serving Persons with Mental Retardation
Address: 3550 West Dallas
  Houston, TX 77019
Phone: 713-525-8400
Web Address: www.thecenterhouston.org
Also known as:The Center
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Better Business Bureau Comments

Year, State Incorporated: 1950, Texas
Affiliates: None
Stated Purpose: To provide opportunities that promote individual choice, personal growth, and community involvement for persons with mental retardation and those needing similar services, so they may achieve their maximum potential.

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Evaluation Conclusions

               

The Center Serving Persons with Mental Retardation meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.
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Programs

               

The Center Serving Persons with Mental Retardation supports adults with Developmental Disabilities in the greater Houston, Texas area. The Center offers an array of programs including education, vocational training and job placement services, three different residential options representing both urban and rural living environments, special programs designed to meet the needs of older adults, and a variety of therapeutic support services. The Center’s two locations, Cullen Residence Hall and Willow River Farms, require the support of 266 employees and more than 250 volunteers to respond to the needs of their clients and the people they serve. These resources enable over 700 mentally retarded individuals to build skills and remain active in the community.

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2011, The Center Serving Persons with Mental Retardation's program expenses were:

  
Cullen residence hall 4,530,000
Willow rivers farms 3,139,000
Adult activity center 2,018,000
Home and community services 1,797,000
Work Center 1,647,000
CRI Federal commercial 406,000
Program services 221,000
Health services 93,000
Food 1,000
Facilities 1,000
Total Program Expenses: $13,853,000
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Governance

               

Chief Executive : Eva Aguirre, Executive Director
Compensation*:
 $143,376

Chair of the Board: Brian Cohen
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation: President, IDiscover Consulting Group

Board Size: 38

Paid Staff Size: 296

*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 5% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $3,683,000, 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 The Center Serving Persons with Mental Retardation's audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2011.

Source of Funds  
Contract service fee and tuition 12,152,000
Contributions 1,872,000
United Way allocation 1,335,000
Other income 668,000
Special events 476,000
Net unrealized gain on marketable securities 205,000
LifeCare services 188,000
Net sales - work center 159,000
Investment income 79,000
Net realized gain on sale of marketable securities 40,000
Direct benefits to donors -89,000
Total Income $17,085,000


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Uses of Funds as a % of Total Expenses

Programs: 86%  Fund Raising: 1%  Administrative: 6%  Other Expenses: 7%

Total income   $17,085,000
  Program expenses $13,853,000
  Fund raising expenses 174,000
  Administrative expenses 909,000
  Other Expenses 1,182,000
Total expenses   $16,118,000
Income in Excess of Expenses   967,000
Beginning net assets   7,939,000
Ending net assets   8,906,000
Total liabilities   10,796,000
Total assets   $19,702,000


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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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Fundraising methods

               

The Center for Serving Persons with Mental Retardation funds its programs with tuition and fee revenue, government and commercial contracts, contributions from the United Way, and financial support from the Foundation for the Retarded.


The Foundation for the Retarded, a supporting organization, raises funds exclusively for The Center for Serving Persons with Mental Retardation.  The Foundation raises funds through mail campaigns, personal visits, self-conducted events/dinners, events/dinners conducted by others, commercial activities, capital campaigns, memberships, foundation and/or corporate grants, car donations, and government grants/contracts.
 

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