Charity Report

  • Issued: October 2024
  • Expires: October 2026

Louisville Ballet

Accredited Charity

Meets Standards

502-583-3150

315 E Main St
Louisville, KY 40202-1215

https://www.louisvilleballet.org/

502-583-3150

315 E Main St
Louisville, KY 40202-1215

https://www.louisvilleballet.org/

Accredited Charity

Meets Standards

Standards For Charity Accountability

Governance

  1. Board Oversight

    Oversight of Operations and Staff: Standard 1

    Description
    Organizations shall have a board of directors that provides adequate oversight of the charity's operations and its staff. Indication of adequate oversight includes, but is not limited to, regularly scheduled appraisals of the CEO's performance, evidence of disbursement controls such as board approval of the budget, fundraising practices, establishment of a conflict of interest policy, and establishment of accounting procedures sufficient to safeguard charity finances.

    The organization meets this standard.

  2. Board Size

    Number of Board Members: Standard 2

    Description
    Soliciting organizations shall have a board of directors with a minimum of five voting members.

    The organization meets this standard.

  3. Board Meetings

    Frequency and Attendance of Board Meetings: Standard 3

    Description
    An organization shall have a minimum of three evenly spaced meetings per year of the full governing body with a majority in attendance, with face-to-face participation. A conference call of the full board can substitute for one of the three meetings of the governing body. For all meetings, alternative modes of participation are acceptable for those with physical disabilities.

    The organization meets this standard.

  4. Board Compensation

    Compensated Board Members: Standard 4

    Description
    Not more than one or 10% (whichever is greater) directly or indirectly compensated person(s) serving as voting member(s) of the board. Compensated members shall not serve as the board's chair or treasurer.

    The organization meets this standard.

  5. Conflict of Interest

    Conflict of Interest: Standard 5

    Description
    No transaction(s) in which any board or staff members have material conflicting interests with the charity resulting from any relationship or business affiliation. Factors that will be considered when concluding whether or not a related party transaction constitutes a conflict of interest and if such a conflict is material, include, but are not limited to: any arm's length procedures established by the charity; the size of the transaction relative to like expenses of the charity; whether the interested party participated in the board vote on the transaction; if competitive bids were sought and whether the transaction is one-time, recurring or ongoing.

    The organization meets this standard.

Measuring Effectiveness

  1. Effectiveness Policy

    Board Policy on Effectiveness: Standard 6

    Description
    Have a board policy of assessing, no less than every two years, the organization's performance and effectiveness and of determining future actions required to achieve its mission.

    The organization meets this standard.

  2. Effectiveness Report

    Board Approval of Written Report on Effectiveness: Standard 7

    Description
    Submit to the organization's governing body, for its approval, a written report that outlines the results of the aforementioned performance and effectiveness assessment and recommendations for future actions.

    The organization meets this standard.

Finances

  1. Program Expenses

    Program Service Expense Ratio: Standard 8

    Description
    Spend at least 65% of its total expenses on program activities.

    The organization meets this standard.

  2. Fundraising Expenses

    Fundraising Expense Ratio: Standard 9

    Description
    Spending should be no more than 35% of related contributions on fundraising. Related contributions include donations, legacies, and other gifts received as a result of fundraising efforts.

    The organization meets this standard.

  3. Accumulating Funds

    Ending Net Assets: Standard 10

    Description
    Avoid accumulating funds that could be used for current program activities. To meet this standard, the charity's unrestricted net assets available for use should not be more than three times the size of the past year's expenses or three times the size of the current year's budget, whichever is higher.

    The organization meets this standard.

  4. Audit Report

    Financial Statements: Standard 11

    Description
    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.

    The organization meets this standard.

  5. Detailed Expense Breakdown

    Detailed Functional Breakdown of Expenses: Standard 12

    Description
    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, fundraising, and administrative activities. If the charity has more than one major program category, the schedule should provide a breakdown for each category.

    The organization meets this standard.

  6. Accurate Expense Reporting

    Accuracy of Expenses in Financial Statements: Standard 13

    Description
    Accurately report the charity's expenses, including any joint cost allocations, in its financial statements. For example, audited or unaudited statements which inaccurately claim zero fundraising expenses or otherwise understate the amount a charity spends on fundraising, and/or overstate the amount it spends on programs will not meet this standard.

    The organization meets this standard.

  7. Budget Plan

    Budget: Standard 14

    Description
    Have a board-approved annual budget for its current fiscal year, outlining projected expenses for major program activities, fundraising, and administration.

    The organization meets this standard.

Fundraising & Info

  1. Truthful Materials

    Misleading Appeals: Standard 15

    Description
    Have solicitations and informational materials, distributed by any means, that are accurate, truthful and not misleading, both in whole and in part. Appeals that omit a clear description of program(s) for which contributions are sought will not meet this standard. A charity should also be able to substantiate that the timing and nature of its expenditures are in accordance with what is stated, expressed, or implied in the charity's solicitations.

    The organization meets this standard.

  2. Annual Report

    Annual Report: Standard 16

    Description
    Have an annual report available to all, on request, that includes: (a) the organization's mission statement, (b) a summary of the past year's program service accomplishments, (c) a roster of the officers and members of the board of directors, (d) financial information that includes (i) total income in the past fiscal year, (ii) expenses in the same program, fundraising and administrative categories as in the financial statements, and (iii) ending net assets.

    The organization meets this standard.

  3. Website Disclosures

    Web Site Disclosures: Standard 17

    Description
    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.

    The organization meets this standard.

  4. Donor Privacy

    Privacy for Written Appeals & Internet Privacy: Standard 18

    Description
    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.

    The organization meets this standard.

  5. Cause Marketing Disclosures

    Cause Related Marketing: Standard 19

    Description
    Clearly disclose how the charity benefits from the sale of products or services (i.e., cause-related marketing) that state or imply that a charity will benefit from a consumer sale or transaction. Such promotions should disclose, at the point of solicitation: (a) the actual or anticipated portion of the purchase price that will benefit the charity (e.g., 5 cents will be contributed to abc charity for every xyz company product sold), (b) the duration of the campaign (e.g., the month of October), (c) any maximum or guaranteed minimum contribution amount (e.g., up to a maximum of $200,000).

    The organization meets this standard.

  6. Complaints

    Complaints: Standard 20

    Description
    Respond promptly to and act on complaints brought to its attention by the BBB Wise Giving Alliance and/or local Better Business Bureaus about fundraising practices, privacy policy violations and/or other issues.

    The organization meets this standard.

Conclusion

Louisville Ballet meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.

Purpose

  • Year, State Incorporated

    1950, KY

  • Stated Purpose

    Louisville Ballet makes moving art that respects tradition, encourages innovation, and fosters life-long learning. It inspires connection, conversation, and a profound sense of community, by striving for bold collaborations, by nurturing the next generation of artists, by celebrating diversity, and by creating access for all.


Programs

Louisville Ballet is the fifth oldest professional ballet company in the United States and the Official State Ballet of Kentucky. Its 24 professional artists and 39 studio company dancers this past year provided over 52 public performances. Beyond the stage, the nonprofit makes a significant financial impact on the city, supported by a workforce of 108 professionals. Now entering its 73rd season, Louisville Ballet proudly presents its 2024-2025 season featuring beloved traditions, thrilling world premieres, and inspiring stories of love, hope, and magic. Community is an essential pillar of its vision to increase access to arts in Kentucky. It prioritizes expanding work with elementary schools, ensuring programs address under-resourced communities, and hosting events that celebrate cultural diversity. Louisville Ballet provides in-school residencies, performance assemblies, before/after-school programs, student matinees, adaptive dance partnerships, audience engagement initiatives, scholarship opportunities, and virtual programming. Last year it reached nearly 22,000 participants across 180 locations, including public and private schools, libraries, community centers, social service agencies, senior centers, and public parks. The Louisville Ballet School proudly celebrates 28 years of exceptional dance training and education. During the 2023-2024 season, the school conducted 5,415 classes for nearly 900 students, ranging in age from 3 months to 76 years. In addition, mind.body.balance, a health and wellness program, provides quality training in a variety of dance and fitness styles for adults and teens ages 15 , from the true beginner to the professional dancer.

For the year ended May 31, 2024, Louisville Ballet program expenses were:

Ballet School $1,160,035
Production $2,944,270
Community Engagement $174,103
Program Expenses $4,278,408

Governance & Staff

  • CEO

    Ms. Leslie Smart, Chief Executive Officer

  • Board Chair

    Ms. Kathryn Shaver

  • Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation

  • Board Size

    31

  • Paid Staff Size

    76

Fundraising

Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Invitations to fundraising events, Print advertisements (newspapers, magazines, etc.), Grant proposals, Planned giving arrangements, Cause-related marketing (affinity credit cards, consumer product sales, etc.), Membership appeals, Appeals via Social Media (Facebook, etc.).

% of Related Contributions on Fundraising: 11.80%

Tax Status

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.


Financial

The following information is based on Louisville Ballet's Audited financial statements for the fiscal year ending May 31, 2024

Source of Funds
Contributions and grants $2,741,503
Ticket sales $1,438,918
Net school tuition and other program fees $1,102,333
Contributions of nonfinancial assets $275,299
Miscellaneous income $122,777
Net community engagement $102,435
Investment income $41,971
Rental income $27,596
Total Income $5,852,832

Breakdown of Expenses

Total Income $5,852,832
Total Expenses: $5,231,707
Program Expenses $4,278,408
Fundraising Expenses $355,992
Administrative Expenses $597,307
Other Expenses $0
Income in Excess of Expenses $621,125
Beginning Net Assets $-486,378
Other Changes In Net Assets $0
Ending Net Assets $134,747
Total Liabilities $4,478,622
Total Assets $4,613,369

Financial Notes

Ending net assets as reported above include -$235,654 without donor restrictions and $270,401 with donor restrictions.Total assets as reported above include $1,479,837 in property and equipment, net.

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