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CHARITY REVIEW
Issued: October 2024 Expires: October 2025

Shreveport Opera

Standards Not Met
Standards Not Met
11 12 17 18
(318) 227-9503
6969 Fern Loop STE 206
Shreveport, LA, 71105
https://www.bbb.org/shreveport/consumer/qualify/90117962
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Standards For Charity Accountability

Governance

  1. Board Oversight
  2. Board Size
  3. Board Compensation
  4. Conflict of Interest
  5. Effectiveness Policy

Measuring Effectiveness

  1. Effectiveness Report
  2. Program Expenses

Finances

  1. Fundraising Expenses
  2. Accumulating Funds
  3. Audit Report
  4. Detailed Expense Breakdown
  5. Accurate Expense Reporting
  6. Budget Plan
  7. Truthful Materials

Fundraising & Info

  1. Annual Report
  2. Website Disclosures
  3. Donor Privacy
  4. Cause Marketing Disclosures
  5. Complaints

Shreveport Opera does not meet the following 4 Standards for Charity Accountability:

Standard 11 (Financial Statements)
Make available to all, on request, complete annual financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. When total annual gross income exceeds $1 million, these statements should be audited in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. For charities whose annual gross income is less than $1 million, a review by a certified public accountant is sufficient to meet this standard. For charities whose annual gross income is less than $250,000, an internally produced, complete financial statement is sufficient to meet this standard.

Shreveport Opera does not meet this standard because:

Per the criteria for this standard, charities whose annual gross income is less than $1 million may satisfy it with a review by a certified public accountant. There is no documentation, however, to assert this.

Standard 12 (Detailed Functional Breakdown of Expenses)
Include in the financial statements a breakdown of expenses (e.g., salaries, travel, postage, etc.) that shows what portion of these expenses was allocated to program, fund raising, and administrative activities. If the charity has more than one major program category, the schedule should provide a breakdown for each category.

Shreveport Opera does not meet this standard because:

Financial statements available did not include a detailed functional breakdown of expenses by natural classification that shows what portion of the charity's expenses was allocated to fundraising activities.

Standard 17 (Web Site Disclosures)
Include on any charity websites that solicit contributions, the same information that is recommended for annual reports, as well as the mailing address of the charity and electronic access to its most recent IRS Form 990.

Shreveport Opera does not meet this standard because:

At the time of initial assessment, financial information was not accessible from the organization's donations page.

Standard 18 (Privacy for Written Appeals & Internet Privacy)
Address privacy concerns of donors by (a) providing in written appeals, at least annually, a means (e.g., such as a check off box) for both new and continuing donors to inform the charity if they do not want their name and address shared outside the organization, (b) providing a clear, prominent and easily accessible privacy policy on any of its websites that tells visitors (i) what information, if any, is being collected about them by the charity and how this information will be used, (ii) how to contact the charity to review personal information collected and request corrections, (iii) how to inform the charity (e.g., a check off box) that the visitor does not wish his/her personal information to be shared outside the organization, and (iv) what security measures the charity has in place to protect personal information.

Shreveport Opera does not meet this standard because:

At the time of initial assessment, a privacy policy was not discovered to be available on the organization's website. 

The BBB Wise Giving Alliance requested but did not receive complete information from the organization and is unable to verify the organization's compliance with the following Standard(s) for Charity Accountability: 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 13, 14, 16, 19

Shreveport Opera meets the remaining 5 Standards for Charity Accountability.

Assessment performed by Greg Thompson, PhD CAP CFLE | Charity Review Director

Stated Purpose:
To produce professional opera and musical productions of the highest artistic quality and to provide educational programming and outreach to students and adults in the Ark-La-Tex region.

Year, State Incorporated:
1952, LA

Annually, Shreveport Opera produces three professional mainstage productions as well as hosts numerous special events including The Mary Jacobs Smith Singer of the Year Competition. Shreveport Opera also tours the Shreveport Opera Xpress (SOX) education and outreach program, reaching approximately 30,000 students and adults with the performances and their social messages. It is the only opera education and outreach program of its kind in the state!

For the year ended N/A, Shreveport Opera's program expenses were:

Payroll Expenses $277,231
Production Expenses $204,509
SOX Program Expenses $81,837
Special Event Expenses $52,176
Professional Fees $12,221
Total Program Expenses $627,973

Chair of the Board
Ms. Sandra Harrold

Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation

Board Size
Not disclosed

Paid Staff Size
11

% of Related Contributions on Fundraising: 0.00%

This organization is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.

Source of Funds
Direct Contributions $250,548
Foundation/Trusts $222,340
Program-Related Revenues (earned income) $82,013
Special Events & Investment Income $78,510
Government Funds $37,770
Total Income $671,181

Programs: 100% Fundraising: 0% Administrative: 0%

Total Income $671,181
Total expenses: $627,973
  Program expenses $627,973
  Fundraising expenses $0
  Administrative expenses $0
  Other expenses $0
Income in Excess of Expenses $43,208
Beginning Net Assets $0
Other Changes In Net Assets $0
Ending Net Assets $0
Total Liabilities $0
Total Assets $0

An organization may change its practices at any time without notice. A copy of this report has been shared with the organization prior to publication. It is not intended to recommend or deprecate, and is furnished solely to assist you in exercising your own judgment. If the report is about a charity and states the charity meets or does not meet the Standards for Charity Accountability, it reflects the results of an evaluation of information and materials provided voluntarily by the charity. The name Better Business Bureau is a registered service mark of the International Association of Better Business Bureaus.

This report is not to be used for fundraising or promotional purposes.

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Report completed by:
BBB Serving Northeast and Central Louisiana and the Ark-La-Tex