Nonprofit · EIN 76-0428914
THE HOBBY CENTER FOUNDATION
Tax-exempt · HOUSTON, TX 77002
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 31, 2025 | 990 | $46,189,489 | $36,719,432 | $9,470,057 | $96,594,280 | $8,281,114 | $88,313,166 |
| August 31, 2024 | 990 | $33,985,463 | $33,260,127 | $725,336 | $85,546,983 | $10,240,756 | $75,306,227 |
| August 31, 2023 | 990 | $39,846,729 | $37,971,999 | $1,874,730 | $81,596,918 | $9,291,670 | $72,305,248 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended August 31, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $11,375,656
- Program service revenue
- $31,491,178
- Investment income
- $3,184,708
- Net rental income
- $227,117
- Net gain from sales of assets
- $2,503,420
- Net income from fundraising events
- -$89,170
- Other revenue
- $137,947
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $0
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $799,775
- Other salaries and wages
- $4,159,175
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $6,168,980
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Legal fees
- $41,366
- Accounting fees
- $49,703
- Occupancy
- $1,089,236
- Travel
- $309,757
- Depreciation
- $2,297,021
- Program services (functional)
- $31,656,550
- Management and general (functional)
- $4,121,714
- Fundraising (functional)
- $941,168
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $85,469,052
- Total assets, end of year
- $96,594,280
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $8,281,114
- Net assets, end of year
- $88,313,166
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $58,605,045
- Publicly traded securities
- $21,080,021
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $83,779,158
- Net assets with donor restrictions
- $4,534,008
- Gross receipts
- $55,714,688
- Employees
- 116
- Volunteers
- 375
- Year formed
- 1994
- State of legal domicile
- TX
From the e-filed returns the IRS publishes as XML (latest three processing years; amended returns replace the original). PDF copies at the IRS.
Officers, directors and key employees
As listed on the 990 for the year ended August 31, 2025, highest compensation first.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mark Folkes | President/CEO Trustee or director, Officer | 38 | $437,218 | $39,770 |
| Denise Wright | VP Operations Highest-paid employee | 35 | $252,660 | $36,724 |
| Lynne Earll | VP Finance & Administration Officer | 35 | $247,021 | $31,375 |
| Sheri Johnson | Broadway Gen Manager Highest-paid employee | 40 | $218,285 | $29,594 |
| Deborah Lugo | VP of Prog & Education Highest-paid employee | 40 | $188,628 | $36,874 |
| Lise Bohn | VP of Advancement Highest-paid employee | 40 | $165,940 | $25,760 |
| Kevin Van Orden | Head Carpenter Highest-paid employee | 40 | $152,663 | $34,743 |
| Rob Doty | Board Chair Trustee or director, Officer | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| Kimberly Cutchall | Secretary Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| Miles Marks | Treasurer Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| Pooja Shivangi Amin | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Anisha Aroara | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Stephen Ash | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Steven Burkett | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Kate Dearing Fowler | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
14 more people on this return
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lesha Elsenbrook | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| Marjorie Evans | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| Ange Finn | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| Hillary Hart | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| Marshall Heins | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| Matthew Henneman | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| Ron Hulme | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| Caroline Baker Hurley | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| Franklin Jones | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| Ken Kades | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| Stan Levy | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| Lauren Reid | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| Jen Shaunty | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| Steve Stephens | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
990 for the year ended August 31, 2024: 27 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mark Folkes | President/CEO Trustee or director, Officer | 38 | $412,600 | $33,368 |
| Denise Wright | VP Operations Highest-paid employee | 35 | $246,992 | $30,678 |
| Lynne Earll | VP Finance & Administration Officer | 35 | $238,751 | $27,663 |
| Sheri Johnson | General Mgr of Broadway Highest-paid employee | 40 | $221,188 | $27,029 |
| Kevin Van Orden | House Carpenter Highest-paid employee | 40 | $137,537 | $36,654 |
| Mark Dolney | House Electrician Highest-paid employee | 40 | $127,251 | $36,772 |
| Daniel Nordby | Audio Engineer Highest-paid employee | 40 | $128,497 | $21,367 |
| Rob Doty | Board Chair Trustee or director, Officer | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| Kimberly Cutchall | Secretary Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| Matthew Henneman | Treasurer Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| Anisha Aroara | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Stephen Ash | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Steven Burkett | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Kate Dearing Fowler | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Lesha Elsenbrook | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Marjorie Evans | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Ange Finn | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Hillary Hart | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Marshall Heins | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Ron Hulme | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Caroline Baker Hurley | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Franklin Jones | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Ken Kades | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Miles Marks | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Lauren Reid | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Jen Shaunty | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Steve Stephens | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended August 31, 2023: 26 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denise Wright | VP Operations Highest-paid employee | 35 | $234,941 | $34,699 |
| Lynne Earll | VP Finance & Administration Officer | 35 | $228,827 | $23,911 |
| Sheri Johnson | General Mgr of Broadway Highest-paid employee | 40 | $203,193 | $25,181 |
| Kevin Van Orden | House Carpenter Highest-paid employee | 40 | $129,189 | $34,980 |
| Mark Dolney | House Electrician Highest-paid employee | 40 | $124,978 | $34,691 |
| Daniel Nordby | Audio Engineer Highest-paid employee | 40 | $122,529 | $20,241 |
| Mark Folkes | President/CEO Trustee or director, Officer | 35 | $127,082 | $3,237 |
| Rob Doty | Board Chair Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| Kimberly Cutchall | Secretary Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| Matthew Henneman | Treasurer Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| Anisha Aroara | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Steve Ash | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Steven Burkett | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Lesha Elsenbrook | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Marjorie Evans | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Ange Finn | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Hillary Hart | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Marshall Heins | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Caroline Baker Hurley | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Franklin Jones | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Ken Kades | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Miles Mark | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Lauren Reid | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Jen Shaunty | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Steve Stephens | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Jay Tribble | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 800 BAGBY ST STE 300, HOUSTON, TX 77002-2532
- Principal officer (990 for 2024)
- Mark Folkes, 800 Bagby 300, Houston, TX 77002
- Signed the 990
- Mark Folkes, President & CEO
- Phone
- (713) 315-2400
- Website
- www.thehobbycenter.org
- Return prepared by
- Blazek & Vetterling
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.
Program accomplishments
- 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.Expenses $30,586,863 · revenue $31,491,178
- 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.Expenses $1,069,687
What it must file and when
IRS records say it files Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N. Its accounting year ends in August, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.
| Tax year | Year ended | Due | IRS public records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | August 31, 2026 | January 15, 2027 | Not due yet |
| 2024 | August 31, 2025 | January 15, 2026 | 990 on file |
| 2023 | August 31, 2024 | January 15, 2025 | 990 on file |
IRS record
- EIN
- 76-0428914
- Tax-exempt status
- 501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
- Foundation status
- Publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(A)(vi))
- Donations deductible (Pub 78)
- Public charity, 50% deduction limit
- Exempt since
- 1994
- Accounting year ends
- August
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Arts, culture and humanities (A116)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $96,594,280
- Income (IRS master file)
- $55,714,688
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | August 2025 | $46,189,489 | $36,719,432 | $96,594,280 | XML |
| 990 | August 2024 | $33,985,463 | $33,260,127 | $85,546,983 | XML |
| 990 | August 2023 | $39,846,729 | $37,971,999 | $81,596,918 | XML |
| 990 | August 2022 | $35,132,729 | $31,738,897 | $77,710,927 | IRS |
| 990 | August 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | August 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | August 2019 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | August 2018 | – | – | – | IRS |
990-N: the IRS bulk file holds only the latest e-Postcard per organization; earlier years come from archived copies of that file since 2020 and can have gaps (the IRS e-Postcard search lists every one). 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-T: every e-filed return in the IRS e-file index since 2019; XML for the latest three processing years, amounts from the IRS Statistics of Income extracts before that. PDF copies and determination letters at the IRS (search EIN 76-0428914).
Questions about THE HOBBY CENTER FOUNDATION
- What is the EIN of THE HOBBY CENTER FOUNDATION?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of THE HOBBY CENTER FOUNDATION is 76-0428914.
- Is THE HOBBY CENTER FOUNDATION tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1994.
- Are donations to THE HOBBY CENTER FOUNDATION tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does THE HOBBY CENTER FOUNDATION file?
- Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N.
- When is the next return of THE HOBBY CENTER FOUNDATION due?
- The return for tax year 2025 (the year ending August 31, 2026) is due January 15, 2027. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
- When did THE HOBBY CENTER FOUNDATION last file with the IRS?
- The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended August 2025.
- Who is the principal officer of THE HOBBY CENTER FOUNDATION?
- The 990 for the year ended August 31, 2025 names Mark Folkes.
- Who are the officers and directors of THE HOBBY CENTER FOUNDATION?
- The 990 for the year ended August 31, 2025 lists 29 people; 7 received compensation from the organization, the highest $437,218 (Mark Folkes, President/CEO).
- How much revenue does THE HOBBY CENTER FOUNDATION have?
- On its 990 for the year ended August 31, 2025 it reported revenue of $46,189,489, expenses of $36,719,432 and total assets of $96,594,280 at year end.
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