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Nonprofiteer
← THE HOBBY CENTER FOUNDATION

Form 990 for tax year 2023

Filed by THE HOBBY CENTER FOUNDATION.

Totals

Total revenue
$33,985,463
Total expenses
$33,260,127
Contributions and grants received
$3,904,392
Grants paid
$0
Program service revenue
$29,439,717
Investment income
$474,010
Other revenue
$167,344
Total assets, end of year
$85,546,983
Total liabilities, end of year
$10,240,756
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
$75,306,227
Program services expenses (Part IX)
$28,968,401
Management and general expenses
$3,886,577
Fundraising expenses
$405,149
Program service expenses (Part III)
$28,968,401

Program services were 87.1% 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

    $287,410

  • 1e · Government grants (contributions)

    $546,004

  • 1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants

    $3,070,978

  • 1g · Noncash contributions included above

    $69,643

  • 2a · Program service revenue: Production program

    total $20,177,767 · related or exempt $20,177,767

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

    total $8,490,495 · related or exempt $8,490,495

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

    total $649,309 · related or exempt $649,309

  • 2d · Program service revenue: Patron donor benefits

    total $122,146 · related or exempt $122,146

  • 3 · Investment income

    total $477,665 · excluded $477,665

  • 6a · Gross rents

    real property $1,747,588

  • 6b · Less rental expenses

    real property $1,520,482

  • 6c · Rental income or loss

    real property $227,106

  • 6d · Net rental income or loss

    total $227,106 · excluded $227,106

  • 7a · Gross sales of assets other than inventory

    securities $3,337,519

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

    securities $3,341,174

  • 7c · Gain or loss

    securities -$3,655

  • 7d · Net gain or loss

    total -$3,655 · excluded -$3,655

  • 8a · Fundraising events: gross income

    $39,000

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

    $287,410

  • 8b · Fundraising events: direct expenses

    $98,762

  • 8c · Net income from fundraising events

    total -$59,762 · excluded -$59,762

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

  • 5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees

    total $745,086 · program services $236,769 · management and general $413,610 · fundraising $94,707

  • 7 · Other salaries and wages

    total $3,842,594 · program services $2,869,097 · management and general $905,625 · fundraising $67,872

  • 8 · Pension plan contributions

    total $154,995 · program services $119,954 · management and general $33,096 · fundraising $1,945

  • 9 · Other employee benefits

    total $433,911 · program services $310,454 · management and general $111,644 · fundraising $11,813

  • 10 · Payroll taxes

    total $292,978 · program services $202,762 · management and general $80,518 · fundraising $9,698

  • 11b · Fees: legal

    total $31,645 · management and general $31,645

  • 11c · Fees: accounting

    total $52,148 · management and general $52,148

  • 11f · Fees: investment management

    total $75,982 · management and general $75,982

  • 11g · Fees: other

    total $2,309,430 · program services $2,054,052 · management and general $249,932 · fundraising $5,446

  • 12 · Advertising and promotion

    total $1,248,910 · management and general $1,226,763 · fundraising $22,147

  • 13 · Office expenses

    total $562,785 · program services $435,167 · management and general $124,473 · fundraising $3,145

  • 14 · Information technology

    total $239,465 · program services $217,667 · management and general $19,532 · fundraising $2,266

  • 16 · Occupancy

    total $991,718 · program services $948,738 · management and general $32,234 · fundraising $10,746

  • 17 · Travel

    total $209,638 · program services $152,703 · management and general $10,695 · fundraising $46,240

  • 19 · Conferences, conventions and meetings

    total $10,979 · program services $6,230 · management and general $600 · fundraising $4,149

  • 20 · Interest

    total $120,837 · program services $116,004 · management and general $3,625 · fundraising $1,208

  • 22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    total $2,134,740 · program services $2,049,351 · management and general $64,042 · fundraising $21,347

  • 23 · Insurance

    total $768,192 · program services $739,363 · management and general $21,621 · fundraising $7,208

  • 24a · Other expenses: Performance fees

    total $16,027,497 · program services $15,612,503 · management and general $414,994

  • 24b · Other expenses: Production expenses

    total $1,927,115 · program services $1,927,115

  • 24c · Other expenses: Repairs & maintenance

    total $536,182 · program services $432,721 · management and general $9,636 · fundraising $93,825

  • 24d · Other expenses: Misc Sarofim / Event

    total $244,716 · program services $244,716

  • 24e · All other expenses

    total $298,584 · program services $293,035 · management and general $4,162 · fundraising $1,387

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

  • 1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing

    beginning of year $5,716 · end of year $6,831

  • 2 · Savings and temporary cash investments

    beginning of year $4,447,981 · end of year $5,746,887

  • 3 · Pledges and grants receivable

    beginning of year $5,396,158 · end of year $4,921,380

  • 4 · Accounts receivable

    beginning of year $239,677 · end of year $282,272

  • 9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges

    beginning of year $628,995 · end of year $806,250

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

    $91,881,220

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

    $37,214,742

  • 10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net

    beginning of year $55,479,900 · end of year $54,666,478

  • 11 · Investments: publicly traded securities

    beginning of year $15,364,164 · end of year $19,011,941

  • 15 · Other assets

    beginning of year $34,327 · end of year $104,944

  • 17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    beginning of year $1,045,229 · end of year $979,396

  • 19 · Deferred revenue

    beginning of year $986,742 · end of year $1,108,247

  • 20 · Tax-exempt bond liabilities

    beginning of year $4,405,534 · end of year $3,718,267

  • 25 · Other liabilities

    beginning of year $2,854,165 · end of year $4,434,846

  • 27 · Net assets without donor restrictions

    beginning of year $71,338,799 · end of year $73,691,516

  • 28 · Net assets with donor restrictions

    beginning of year $966,449 · end of year $1,614,711

Mission and programs · 2023

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

  • The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts welcomes over 400,000 audience members annually to engage with high quality arts programming including the Memorial Hermann Broadway at the Hobby Center series. The Hobby Center is also home to a full season of musical theatre produced by principal resident company Theatre Under the Stars, as well as a variety of diverse performances from both Houston-based and touring artists and companies.

    Expenses $27,180,939 · Revenue $28,709,849

  • During the 2023-2024 Season, the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts expanded its presented programming beyond the Broadway Series with a series of 23 performances including a dynamic and diverse mix of Houston based and touring artists in performance spaces across the campus. This work is being led by a newly created department, Programming and Education, that is leading the curation and development of new programs on stage, in the classroom and in the community. As a presenter, the Hobby Center books the artists directly and holds full responsibility for marketing and sales strategy. Education and accessibility initiatives are central to the Hobby Center's impact in Houston through programs like the ExxonMobil Discovery Series that welcomes thousands of students to performances every season.

    Expenses $1,787,462 · Revenue $729,868

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

Listed in Part VII

  • Mark Folkes

    President/CEO

    Total calculated
    $445,968
    From this org
    $412,600
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $33,368
    Hours/week
    38 + 2 related

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $352,600
    Bonus
    $60,000
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $19,800
    Nontaxable benefits
    $13,568
    Filer's total
    $445,968
  • 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
  • Matthew Henneman

    Treasurer

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

    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
    $266,414
    From this org
    $238,751
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $27,663
    Hours/week
    35 + 5 related

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $189,848
    Bonus
    $48,903
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $14,095
    Nontaxable benefits
    $13,568
    Filer's total
    $266,414
  • Denise Wright

    VP Operations

    Total calculated
    $277,670
    From this org
    $246,992
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $30,678
    Hours/week
    35 + 5 related

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $195,950
    Bonus
    $51,042
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $14,712
    Nontaxable benefits
    $15,966
    Filer's total
    $277,670
  • Sheri Johnson

    General Mgr of Broadway

    Total calculated
    $248,217
    From this org
    $221,188
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $27,029
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $176,082
    Bonus
    $45,106
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $13,461
    Nontaxable benefits
    $13,568
    Filer's total
    $248,217
  • Kevin Van Orden

    House Carpenter

    Total calculated
    $174,191
    From this org
    $137,537
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $36,654
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $137,537
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $8,891
    Nontaxable benefits
    $27,763
    Filer's total
    $174,191
  • Mark Dolney

    House Electrician

    Total calculated
    $164,023
    From this org
    $127,251
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $36,772
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $127,251
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $8,350
    Nontaxable benefits
    $28,422
    Filer's total
    $164,023
  • Daniel Nordby

    Audio Engineer

    Total calculated
    $149,864
    From this org
    $128,497
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $21,367
    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 · 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
2023
Filed
9 July 2025
IRS schema version
2023v6.0
Source object
202501909349301700

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