Friends of River Oaks Theatre Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
Friends of River Oaks Theatre, Inc., dba Arthouse Houston, is a community-based nonprofit dedicated to joyously enriching and preserving Houstons artistic film community and arthouse spaces. This mission is furthered by improving accessibility to arts and cinema through programming, public outreach, partnerships, and education for the benefit of our vibrant, diverse community.
- Income
- $124,981
- Spending
- $115,821
- Spent on programs
- 61%
- Reserves
- 4.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 53%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 50
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 63 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 4.6 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 7% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 7% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 52% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1561% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 88 out of 100. Higher than 83% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).
Independent board
25 of 2510 of 10 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
No reported misuse
0 of 10Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 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 (3)
- $57,980 spent. Outreach & Education: Friends of River Oaks Theatre, dba Arthouse Houston, is dedicated to joyously enriching the hearts and minds of a diverse community through the facilitation of art, the moving image, and support of historic cinemas including the River Oaks Theatre through Outreach and Educational programming. This programming includes monthly Mobile Movie Palace screening events and our Big Picture Series, with interdisciplinary artistic performances and educational opportunities, and our Friends on Film podcast, featuring lively discussions spanning the many areas of art and film, rooted in its history, present state, and future, highlighting local programming and festivals within Houston and the greater state of Texas.
- $12,815 spent. Original artists' work in support of the theatre: Friends of River Oaks Theatre, dba Arthouse Houston, regularly works with local artists on projects of varied disciplines to create art and exhibit it. This currently includes the creation of our Mobile Movie Palace Art Car, which contracts artists, painters, sculptors, mechanics, and more, and upon completion, will be both an art piece and a functioning film venue. This also includes our Cinema Revival documentary, an upcoming film about a passionate community saving the last historic arthouse theatre in Houston, TX, which will include collaboration with directors, editors, writers, musicians, and more.
- Historic Preservation Efforts: Friends of River Oaks Theatre, dba Arthouse Houston, acts as a passionate steward to preserve historic theaters in the area and specifically to support the River Oaks Theatre as an iconic cultural destination for the benefit of all. This is done through our historic preservation efforts, including acting as an umbrella organization for preservation efforts, helping to acquire historic documents such as photos and architectural plans, help with filing for historic designations, and spreading awareness of the theatres through outreach efforts.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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.
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 November 6, 2026.
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.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since December 2022.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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 November 4, 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.