Heartland Chamber Music LTD

What it reported doing in 2024

The organization advanced its mission of providing exceptional music education and performance opportunities through four integrated programs: the Heartland Chamber Music Festival, String Sprouts, and tue Year-Round Chamber Music. The Heartland Chamber Music Festival, presented in collaboration with the Midwest Trust Center, was held July 26 through August 3. With 15 esteemed faculty members, the Festival welcomed more than 80 students ranging in age from 7 to 50 and representing diverse geographic regions across the United States. The Miami Quartet served as artists in residence. Eight highly gifted students the Festival Scholars received full scholarships to the Festival, and an additional 10 students were invited to perform in the Camerata Orchestra. These students also performed on Kansas Public Radio, further amplifying their exposure and celebrating their achievements. More than 30 additional students received need- and merit-based financial aid to attend the Festival. String Sprouts continued its mission of providing free instruments and lessons to underserved communities, ensuring equitable access to music education. Operating across six metropolitan-area sites including partnerships with the Kansas City, Kansas and Kansas City, Missouri public school districts as well as El Centro Academy Sprouts served 50 students and their caregivers. Through the Kansas City Public Schools partnership, 50 students participated in twice-weekly classes during the school day. Over the course of the year, students collectively learned 42 pieces of music, demonstrating their progress and dedication. Quarterly Sprouting Up ceremonies featured 20 guest performances by 15 musicians from the Kansas City Symphony, captivating approximately 200 attendees. The Sprouts & Symphony concert paired 45 Sprouts with the UMKC Conservatory Orchestra before an audience of more than 300. At the annual Stringfest fundraiser, 10 students performed for an audience exceeding 130, and 42 Sprouts participated in four Kansas City Symphony Edward Jones Holiday concerts, enriching the community with their performances. The Year-Round Chamber Music programs continued to provide rigorous training, coaching, and performance opportunities to students throughout the region, complementing the Festival and Sprouts in fulfilling the organizations year-round educational mission.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 74.7%; rating input score 75
• Program expense ratio: 78.8%; rating input score 79
• Fundraising efficiency: $36.31 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 71; 71st percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 64th percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: Limited
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: 100%; rating input score 100; 80th percentile among comparable filings
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 2 of 8 controls in place; rating input score 25
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Fail
  • Document-retention policy: Fail
  • CEO compensation review process: Fail
  • Other executive compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Fail
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Missing
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Fail

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 5.3%; rating input score 51; 51st percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 0.17; rating input score 10; 10th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0; rating input score 80; 80th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 20.6%; rating input score 19; 19th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 6.2% per year; rating input score 100; 58th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 5.6% per year; rating input score 100; 55th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 6.5% per year; rating input score 100; 54th percentile among comparable filings