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The Hobby Center Foundation

EIN 76-0428914 · Houston, TX

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

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.

Income
$46.2 million
Spending
$36.7 million
Spent on programs
86%
Reserves
8.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 68%
Employees
116
Volunteers
375
Highest pay
$476,988, president/ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 9% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 21% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 36% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    86% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 34% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    22 of 23 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (2)
  1. $30.6 million spent. 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.
  2. $1.1 million spent. 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.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending August 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since August 1994.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.