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Nonprofiteer
← HOUSTON GRAND OPERA ASSOCIATION INC

Form 990 for tax year 2023

Filed by HOUSTON GRAND OPERA ASSOCIATION INC.

Totals

Total revenue
$30,442,479
Total expenses
$33,113,755
Contributions and grants received
$23,163,256
Grants paid
$52,860
Program service revenue
$7,172,361
Investment income
$281,064
Other revenue
-$174,202
Total assets, end of year
$26,898,179
Total liabilities, end of year
$12,828,239
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
$14,069,940
Program services expenses (Part IX)
$26,281,554
Management and general expenses
$3,494,765
Fundraising expenses
$3,337,436
Program service expenses (Part III)
$26,281,554

Program services were 79.4% 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

    $2,263,974

  • 1d · Related organizations

    $3,588,332

  • 1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants

    $17,310,950

  • 2a · Program service revenue: Ticket Sales

    total $6,566,260 · related or exempt $6,566,260

  • 2b · Program service revenue: Co-production/rentals

    total $576,558 · related or exempt $576,558

  • 2c · Program service revenue: Studio/education

    total $29,543 · related or exempt $29,543

  • 3 · Investment income

    total $281,064 · excluded $281,064

  • 8a · Fundraising events: gross income

    $500,526

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

    $2,263,974

  • 8b · Fundraising events: direct expenses

    $718,734

  • 8c · Net income from fundraising events

    total -$218,208 · excluded -$218,208

  • 11a · Other revenue: Advertising

    total $31,506 · unrelated business $31,506

  • 11b · Other revenue: Patron travel tour revenue

    total $12,500 · excluded $12,500

  • 11e · Other revenue, total

    $44,006

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

  • 2 · Grants to domestic individuals

    total $52,860 · program services $52,860

  • 5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees

    total $2,055,600 · program services $1,588,039 · management and general $213,267 · fundraising $254,294

  • 7 · Other salaries and wages

    total $14,908,083 · program services $11,485,839 · management and general $1,550,935 · fundraising $1,871,309

  • 8 · Pension plan contributions

    total $231,522 · program services $187,709 · management and general $22,824 · fundraising $20,989

  • 9 · Other employee benefits

    total $1,886,614 · program services $1,529,593 · management and general $185,984 · fundraising $171,037

  • 10 · Payroll taxes

    total $972,345 · program services $788,339 · management and general $95,855 · fundraising $88,151

  • 11b · Fees: legal

    total $43,384 · management and general $43,384

  • 11c · Fees: accounting

    total $56,050 · management and general $56,050

  • 11g · Fees: other

    total $634,970 · program services $575,325 · management and general $10,619 · fundraising $49,026

  • 12 · Advertising and promotion

    total $1,384,450 · program services $1,222,506 · management and general $22,522 · fundraising $139,422

  • 13 · Office expenses

    total $885,267 · program services $441,058 · management and general $352,336 · fundraising $91,873

  • 14 · Information technology

    total $471,839 · program services $322,964 · management and general $79,189 · fundraising $69,686

  • 15 · Royalties

    total $222,220 · program services $222,220

  • 16 · Occupancy

    total $1,390,013 · program services $1,245,018 · management and general $94,576 · fundraising $50,419

  • 17 · Travel

    total $1,038,621 · program services $819,360 · management and general $203,386 · fundraising $15,875

  • 19 · Conferences, conventions and meetings

    total $206,861 · program services $65,406 · management and general $98,912 · fundraising $42,543

  • 20 · Interest

    total $165,378 · management and general $165,378

  • 22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    total $479,328 · program services $387,228 · management and general $46,050 · fundraising $46,050

  • 23 · Insurance

    total $300,470 · program services $208,169 · management and general $49,096 · fundraising $43,205

  • 24a · Other expenses: Consulting & stipends

    total $3,922,001 · program services $3,670,549 · management and general $199,385 · fundraising $52,067

  • 24b · Other expenses: Production expenses

    total $1,356,629 · program services $1,356,629

  • 24c · Other expenses: Event expenses

    total $425,654 · program services $89,147 · management and general $5,017 · fundraising $331,490

  • 24d · Other expenses: Uncollectible amounts

    total $23,596 · program services $23,596

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

  • 1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing

    beginning of year $1,127,356 · end of year $691,652

  • 2 · Savings and temporary cash investments

    beginning of year $358,986 · end of year $507,780

  • 3 · Pledges and grants receivable

    beginning of year $12,391,896 · end of year $13,110,399

  • 4 · Accounts receivable

    beginning of year $249,586 · end of year $212,534

  • 8 · Inventories for sale or use

    beginning of year $47,005 · end of year $26,953

  • 9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges

    beginning of year $1,110,382 · end of year $1,094,636

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

    $6,448,713

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

    $4,100,425

  • 10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net

    beginning of year $2,313,703 · end of year $2,348,288

  • 11 · Investments: publicly traded securities

    beginning of year $4,664,821 · end of year $4,927,125

  • 15 · Other assets

    beginning of year $4,460,210 · end of year $3,978,812

  • 17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    beginning of year $1,476,413 · end of year $1,551,750

  • 19 · Deferred revenue

    beginning of year $2,745,318 · end of year $2,755,214

  • 24 · Unsecured notes and loans payable

    end of year $3,650,000

  • 25 · Other liabilities

    beginning of year $5,830,936 · end of year $4,871,275

  • 27 · Net assets without donor restrictions

    beginning of year $4,563,721 · end of year $4,256,488

  • 28 · Net assets with donor restrictions

    beginning of year $12,107,557 · end of year $9,813,452

Mission and programs · 2023

Mission

The mission of HGO is to enrich our diverse community through the art of opera. We will do so by creating, curating, exploring, and producing outstanding experiences centered around the human voice.(Continued on Schedule O)

Activities or mission (Part I)

See Schedule O

  • Opera Productions: Houston Grand Opera (HGO) is one of the largest, most innovative, and most highly acclaimed opera companies in the United States. In fulfilling its mission to enrich our diverse community through the art of operas by creating, curating, exploring, and producing outstanding experiences centered around the human voice, HGO has led the field in commissioning new works (76 world premieres to date) and in training and nurturing promising young artists and administrators. The company builds its repertoire with the community in mind, striving to create profoundly enriching experiences for our diverse audiences, both in the Wortham Theater and in community venues.

    Expenses $23,605,323 · Revenue $7,140,418

  • The Sarah & Ernest Butler Houston Grand Opera Studio is one of the most respected young artist programs in the country. For more than thirty years it has served young singers and pianist/coaches, providing a bridge between full-time training and full-fledged operatic careers. Each year after an exhaustive international search, a hand-selected group of talented individuals is brought to Houston to work alongside the best in the business at Houston Grand Opera. In main-stage productions and at other less traditional venues, these artists hone their craft as singing actors. During a residency of up to three years, each performer receives customized training from an expert team while gaining invaluable performance experience at the highest level.

    Expenses $1,262,127 · Grants $19,150 · Revenue $2,400

  • The Community & Learning program connects creative resources with our diverse and vibrant community through collaborative programming in the Houston area - in schools, parks, community landmarks, alternative performance spaces, as well as at the Wortham Theater Center, providing the opportunity to seek, engage, and learn through opera. The nationally recognized Song of Houston initiative commissions new chamber operas and song projects that resonate with contemporary life in Houston and develops community projects that foster collaborations with many Houston-area organizations. (See Schedule O)(Continued from page 2)Our multi-faceted Education Program includes Opera to Go!, High School Night and student matinees of main-stage productions, the Bauer Family High School Voice Studio, professional development workshops for teachers, opera camps, and residency programs.

    Expenses $1,414,104 · Grants $33,710 · Revenue $29,543

As filed on the 2023 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.

Listed in Part VII

  • Khori Dastoor

    General Director & CEO

    Total calculated
    $476,803
    From this org
    $466,074
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $10,729
    Hours/week
    50 + 5 related

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $424,952
    Bonus
    $41,122
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $6,315
    Nontaxable benefits
    $4,414
    Filer's total
    $476,803
  • Claire Liu

    Chair

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5 + 1 related
  • Allyn W Risley

    Senior Chair

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Janet L Carrig

    Chair Emeritus

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 1 related
  • Lynn Wyatt

    Vice Chair

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Christopher V Bacon

    Secretary & General Counsel

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 1 related
  • Richard E Agee

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Thomas R Ajamie

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 1 related
  • Michelle Beale

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Astley L Blair Jr

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Albert Chao

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Louise Chapman

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Mathilda Cochran

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • James W Crownover

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Joshua Davidson

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Warren A Ellsworth IV

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Benjamin Fink

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Joseph Geagea

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Michaela Greenan

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Ellen R Gritz

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Selda Gunsel

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Matthew Healey

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Richard Husseini

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 1 related
  • Jose Ivo

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Myrtle Jones

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Marianne Kah

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 1 related
  • David LePori

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Gabriel Loperena

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Sid Moorhead

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Sara Morgan

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Terrylin G Neale

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 1 related
  • Ward G Pennebaker

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Cynthia Petrello

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Gloria M Portela

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Allyson Pritchett

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Matthew Ringel

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Kelly Brunetti Rose

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Jack A Roth

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Harlan C Stai

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Veer Vasishta

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Alfredo Vilas

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Margaret Alkek Williams

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Elizabeth Greer

    CFO

    Total calculated
    $201,636
    From this org
    $191,517
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $10,119
    Hours/week
    50 + 5 related

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $191,517
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $3,227
    Nontaxable benefits
    $6,892
    Filer's total
    $201,636
  • Patrick Summers

    Artistic & Music Director

    Total calculated
    $621,434
    From this org
    $578,515
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $42,919
    Hours/week
    50

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $578,515
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $33,534
    Nontaxable benefits
    $9,385
    Filer's total
    $621,434
  • Molly Dill

    Chief Operating Officer

    Total calculated
    $227,960
    From this org
    $207,999
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $19,961
    Hours/week
    50 + 5 related

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $202,749
    Bonus
    $5,250
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $4,160
    Nontaxable benefits
    $15,801
    Filer's total
    $227,960
  • Deborah Hirsch

    Chief Philanthropy Officer

    Total calculated
    $224,017
    From this org
    $210,796
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $13,221
    Hours/week
    40 + 5 related

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $210,796
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $0
    Nontaxable benefits
    $13,221
    Filer's total
    $224,017
  • Jennifer Davenport

    Chief Marketing & Experience Officer

    Total calculated
    $303,748
    From this org
    $293,671
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $10,077
    Hours/week
    50

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $278,671
    Bonus
    $15,000
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $2,113
    Nontaxable benefits
    $7,964
    Filer's total
    $303,748
  • Richard Bado

    Director of Artistic Planning

    Total calculated
    $240,612
    From this org
    $228,095
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $12,517
    Hours/week
    50

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $228,095
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $4,562
    Nontaxable benefits
    $7,955
    Filer's total
    $240,612
  • David Krohn

    Senior Director of Philanthropy

    Total calculated
    $167,681
    From this org
    $156,658
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $11,023
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $153,213
    Bonus
    $3,445
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $3,133
    Nontaxable benefits
    $7,890
    Filer's total
    $167,681
  • Greg Robertson

    Managing Dir. of Strategic Campaigns

    Total calculated
    $439,232
    From this org
    $389,333
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $49,899
    Hours/week
    50 + 5 related

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $389,333
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $32,478
    Nontaxable benefits
    $17,421
    Filer's total
    $439,232
  • Kristen Burke

    Director of Production

    Total calculated
    $149,675
    From this org
    $133,988
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $15,687
    Hours/week
    40
  • Kelly Finn

    Director of Development

    Total calculated
    $141,732
    From this org
    $138,567
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $3,165
    Hours/week
    40
  • Scott Ipsen

    Director of Patron Experience

    Total calculated
    $133,090
    From this org
    $132,380
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $710
    Hours/week
    40

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 · Written employment contract
  • 3 · Approval by the board or compensation committee

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
  • 7 · Other non-fixed payments
  • 8 · Paid under the initial-contract exception

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.

  • Houston Grand Opera Endowment Inc

    501(c)(3) · Hold, manage Endowment funds for the benefit of HGO · TX · controlled entity

    Directly controlled by Houston Grand Opera Association Inc

  • Houston Grand Opera Guild Inc

    501(c)(3) · Provide financial and volunteer support for HGO · TX · controlled entity

    Directly controlled by Houston Grand Opera Association Inc

Provenance

Return type
form_990
Tax year
2023
Filed
15 June 2025
IRS schema version
2023v6.0
Source object
202511669349300156

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