Skip to content
Nonprofiteer
← THE HOBBY CENTER FOUNDATION

Form 990 for tax year 2024

Filed by THE HOBBY CENTER FOUNDATION.

Totals

Total revenue
$46,189,489
Total expenses
$36,719,432
Contributions and grants received
$11,375,656
Grants paid
$0
Program service revenue
$31,491,178
Investment income
$3,184,708
Other revenue
$137,947
Total assets, end of year
$96,594,280
Total liabilities, end of year
$8,281,114
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
$88,313,166
Program services expenses (Part IX)
$31,656,550
Management and general expenses
$4,121,714
Fundraising expenses
$941,168
Program service expenses (Part III)
$31,656,550

Program services were 86.2% of total expenses calculated — Part IX's program-services column over total expenses, both as filed.

Line items

Every line the filer filed in Parts VIII, IX and X, as filed and in filed order. Blank columns are left out, and the lines are not forced to add up to the totals above.

Revenue

Part VIII, the statement of revenue.

  • 1c · Fundraising events

    $324,992

  • 1d · Related organizations

    $1,104,553

  • 1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants

    $9,946,111

  • 1g · Noncash contributions included above

    $40,126

  • 2a · Program service revenue: Production program

    total $22,904,929 · related or exempt $22,904,929

  • 2b · Program service revenue: Hobby Center usage fees

    total $7,934,854 · related or exempt $7,934,854

  • 2c · Program service revenue: Programming & Education Revenue

    total $528,768 · related or exempt $528,768

  • 2d · Program service revenue: Patron donor benefits

    total $122,627 · related or exempt $122,627

  • 3 · Investment income

    total $681,288 · excluded $681,288

  • 6a · Gross rents

    real property $1,845,227

  • 6b · Less rental expenses

    real property $1,618,110

  • 6c · Rental income or loss

    real property $227,117

  • 6d · Net rental income or loss

    total $227,117 · excluded $227,117

  • 7a · Gross sales of assets other than inventory

    securities $10,294,339

  • 7b · Less cost or other basis and sales expenses

    securities $7,790,919

  • 7c · Gain or loss

    securities $2,503,420

  • 7d · Net gain or loss

    total $2,503,420 · excluded $2,503,420

  • 8a · Fundraising events: gross income

    $27,000

  • 8a · Fundraising events: contributions included on line 1c

    $324,992

  • 8b · Fundraising events: direct expenses

    $116,170

  • 8c · Net income from fundraising events

    total -$89,170 · excluded -$89,170

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

  • 5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees

    total $799,775 · program services $254,411 · management and general $443,600 · fundraising $101,764

  • 7 · Other salaries and wages

    total $4,159,175 · program services $3,049,900 · management and general $927,078 · fundraising $182,197

  • 8 · Pension plan contributions

    total $208,674 · program services $155,008 · management and general $45,224 · fundraising $8,442

  • 9 · Other employee benefits

    total $696,435 · program services $483,419 · management and general $177,521 · fundraising $35,495

  • 10 · Payroll taxes

    total $304,921 · program services $217,158 · management and general $87,763

  • 11b · Fees: legal

    total $41,366 · management and general $41,366

  • 11c · Fees: accounting

    total $49,703 · management and general $49,703

  • 11f · Fees: investment management

    total $88,213 · management and general $88,213

  • 11g · Fees: other

    total $2,548,989 · program services $2,143,042 · management and general $137,859 · fundraising $268,088

  • 12 · Advertising and promotion

    total $1,301,199 · management and general $1,286,042 · fundraising $15,157

  • 13 · Office expenses

    total $477,600 · program services $257,110 · management and general $212,103 · fundraising $8,387

  • 14 · Information technology

    total $501,680 · program services $445,788 · management and general $51,512 · fundraising $4,380

  • 16 · Occupancy

    total $1,089,236 · program services $1,044,748 · management and general $33,364 · fundraising $11,124

  • 17 · Travel

    total $309,757 · program services $70,763 · management and general $59,571 · fundraising $179,423

  • 19 · Conferences, conventions and meetings

    total $71,671 · program services $52,890 · management and general $15,419 · fundraising $3,362

  • 20 · Interest

    total $102,912 · management and general $102,912

  • 22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    total $2,297,021 · program services $2,210,318 · management and general $65,027 · fundraising $21,676

  • 23 · Insurance

    total $830,613 · program services $830,613

  • 24a · Other expenses: Performance fees

    total $17,611,718 · program services $17,377,341 · management and general $194,676 · fundraising $39,701

  • 24b · Other expenses: Production expenses

    total $2,107,644 · program services $2,043,804 · management and general $45,753 · fundraising $18,087

  • 24c · Other expenses: Repairs & maintenance

    total $381,447 · program services $381,447

  • 24d · Other expenses: Educational events

    total $313,668 · program services $313,668

  • 24e · All other expenses

    total $426,015 · program services $325,122 · management and general $57,008 · fundraising $43,885

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

  • 1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing

    beginning of year $6,831 · end of year $110,112

  • 2 · Savings and temporary cash investments

    beginning of year $5,746,887 · end of year $9,916,387

  • 3 · Pledges and grants receivable

    beginning of year $4,921,380 · end of year $5,228,250

  • 4 · Accounts receivable

    beginning of year $282,272 · end of year $928,719

  • 9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges

    beginning of year $806,250 · end of year $709,777

  • 10a · Land, buildings and equipment: cost or other basis

    $98,116,808

  • 10b · Land, buildings and equipment: accumulated depreciation

    $39,511,763

  • 10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net

    beginning of year $54,666,478 · end of year $58,605,045

  • 11 · Investments: publicly traded securities

    beginning of year $19,011,941 · end of year $21,080,021

  • 15 · Other assets

    beginning of year $27,013 · end of year $15,969

  • 17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    beginning of year $979,396 · end of year $3,906,121

  • 19 · Deferred revenue

    beginning of year $1,108,247 · end of year $1,363,992

  • 20 · Tax-exempt bond liabilities

    beginning of year $3,718,267 · end of year $3,011,001

  • 27 · Net assets without donor restrictions

    beginning of year $78,048,431 · end of year $83,779,158

  • 28 · Net assets with donor restrictions

    beginning of year $1,614,711 · end of year $4,534,008

Mission and programs · 2024

Mission

The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts deepens understanding of our shared humanity. We serve as a connector, convenor and incubator for all Houston audiences, artmakers and arts organizations. By presenting engaging performances and educational programs, we strengthen our sense of belonging to shape a more cohesive and connected Houston community.

Activities or mission (Part I)

Presenting performing arts and educational programs at The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts

  • Presented Programming and Rentals:The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts welcomes hundreds of thousands of audience members each year to diverse, high quality performing arts programming presented by the Hobby Center in three performance spaces across the campus including Sarofim Hall, Zilkha Hall and the Founders Club. The primary driver of impact is the Memorial Hermann Broadway at the Hobby Center series, a cornerstone of the Hobby Center's artistic programming, and one of the most successful Broadway Series in the country. See Schedule OIn addition to Broadway, during the 2024-2025 Season, the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts continued to expand its presented programming beyond the Broadway Series with a series of 34 performances including a dynamic and diverse mix of Houston based and touring artists across disciplines including theater, dance, and music. As a presenter, the Hobby Center books the artists directly and holds full responsibility for audience engagement. In addition to artistic programs curated and presented by the Hobby Center, the campus is also home to many performances produced and presented by partners, notably Principal Resident Company, Theater Under the Stars, who presents a full season of musical theater performances in Sarofim Hall each year, as well as a group of 12 Houston-based nonprofit arts organizations, known as the Hobby Center's Arts Partners, who present artistic programming primarily in Zilkha Hall. Additionally, many other users present performances across the campus through program-related rentals that features a wide variety of artistic, entertainment, and social events.

    Expenses $30,586,863 · Revenue $31,491,178

  • Education and Engagement:An expanded Education Department is leading the development of programs on stage, in the classroom and in the community. Education and accessibility initiatives are central to the Hobby Center's reach in Houston through programs like the ExxonMobil Discovery Series that, during the 2024-2025 Season, welcomed nearly 20,000 fifth grade students and teachers for free performances in Sarofim Hall and Zilkha Hall, including bus transportation provided by the Hobby Center.

    Expenses $1,069,687

As filed on the 2024 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.

Listed in Part VII

  • Mark Folkes

    President/CEO

    Total calculated
    $476,988
    From this org
    $437,218
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $39,770
    Hours/week
    38 + 2 related

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $364,718
    Bonus
    $72,500
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $23,513
    Nontaxable benefits
    $16,257
    Filer's total
    $476,988
  • Rob Doty

    Board Chair

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    3 + 1.5 related
  • Kimberly Cutchall

    Secretary

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2 + 1.5 related
  • Miles Marks

    Treasurer

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2 + 1.5 related
  • Pooja Shivangi Amin

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 1 related
  • Anisha Aroara

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 1 related
  • Stephen Ash

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 1 related
  • Steven Burkett

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 1 related
  • Kate Dearing Fowler

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 1 related
  • Lesha Elsenbrook

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 1 related
  • Marjorie Evans

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 1 related
  • Ange Finn

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 1 related
  • Hillary Hart

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 1 related
  • Marshall Heins

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 1 related
  • Matthew Henneman

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 1 related
  • Ron Hulme

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 1 related
  • Caroline Baker Hurley

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 1 related
  • Franklin Jones

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 1 related
  • Ken Kades

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 1 related
  • Stan Levy

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 1 related
  • Lauren Reid

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 1 related
  • Jen Shaunty

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 1 related
  • Steve Stephens

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 1 related
  • Lynne Earll

    VP Finance & Administration

    Total calculated
    $278,396
    From this org
    $247,021
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $31,375
    Hours/week
    35 + 5 related

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $197,160
    Bonus
    $49,861
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $15,118
    Nontaxable benefits
    $16,257
    Filer's total
    $278,396
  • Denise Wright

    VP Operations

    Total calculated
    $289,384
    From this org
    $252,660
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $36,724
    Hours/week
    35 + 5 related

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $200,617
    Bonus
    $52,043
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $15,759
    Nontaxable benefits
    $20,965
    Filer's total
    $289,384
  • Sheri Johnson

    Broadway Gen Manager

    Total calculated
    $247,879
    From this org
    $218,285
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $29,594
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $181,493
    Bonus
    $36,792
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $13,337
    Nontaxable benefits
    $16,257
    Filer's total
    $247,879
  • Deborah Lugo

    VP of Prog & Education

    Total calculated
    $225,502
    From this org
    $188,628
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $36,874
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $156,698
    Bonus
    $31,930
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $11,607
    Nontaxable benefits
    $25,267
    Filer's total
    $225,502
  • Lise Bohn

    VP of Advancement

    Total calculated
    $191,700
    From this org
    $165,940
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $25,760
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $143,890
    Bonus
    $22,050
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $0
    Nontaxable benefits
    $25,760
    Filer's total
    $191,700
  • Kevin Van Orden

    Head Carpenter

    Total calculated
    $187,406
    From this org
    $152,663
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $34,743
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $152,663
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $9,476
    Nontaxable benefits
    $25,267
    Filer's total
    $187,406

Compensation is as filed in Part VII: reportable pay from this organization and from related organizations, other compensation, and hours per week. The total, marked calculated, is our sum of the three dollar columns, with a blank column counted as $0; the form itself has no total. On a Form 990-EZ the columns are Part IV's instead, and on a Form 990-PF Part VIII's — compensation, contributions to benefit plans, and expense account — and the total sums those. A Schedule J breakdown is as filed: base pay, bonus, other, deferred compensation and nontaxable benefits from this organization, with any from related organizations beside each, and the filer's own total. It is shown with the Part VII listing of the same name on the same return. The form gives no key between the two, so that pairing is ours, and is marked matched by us.

Schedule J

Answered yes

  • 3 · Compensation committee
  • 3 · Independent compensation consultant
  • 3 · Form 990 of other organizations
  • 3 · Compensation survey or study
  • 3 · Approval by the board or compensation committee
  • 7 · Other non-fixed payments

Answered no

  • 4a · Severance or change-of-control payment
  • 4b · Supplemental nonqualified retirement plan
  • 4c · Equity-based compensation arrangement
  • 5a · Pay contingent on this organization's revenues
  • 5b · Pay contingent on a related organization's revenues
  • 6a · Pay contingent on this organization's net earnings
  • 6b · Pay contingent on a related organization's net earnings
  • 8 · Paid under the initial-contract exception

The filer's explanations (Part III)

Part I, Line 7
The Hobby Center Board of Directors has established a methodology to consider bonus compensation for the President/CEO, and the President/CEO follows an established methodology for considering bonus compensation for other officials and highly compensated persons with final compensation reviewed and approved by the Executive Committee of the Board.

Part I's answers as filed. A line not listed was left unanswered; on lines 1a and 3 that means the box was not checked.

Grants on this return

No itemized grants to organizations on this return.

Related organizations on this return

Schedule R Part II: tax-exempt organizations related to the filer by control. It does not record shared board members or money.

  • HCPA Services Company

    501(c)(3) · Garage for Hobby Center · TX · controlled entity

    Directly controlled by The Hobby Center Foundation

  • HCPA Operating Company

    501(c)(3) · Theater Operations · TX · controlled entity

    Directly controlled by The Hobby Center Foundation

Provenance

Return type
form_990
Tax year
2024
Filed
15 July 2026
IRS schema version
2024v5.5
Source object
202631969349302453

Check it against the return as filed: the GivingTuesday Data Lake hosts a public copy of the original XML.

The source document this was parsed from is served over the API, which is where bulk and document access live.