Voena

What it reported doing in 2024

Voena childrens choir is a professional program, unique because of its no-audition policy. Voena teaches children ages 5-18 ethnically diverse music, instilling in them an appreciation and enthusiasm for different languages and cultures while cultivating, what director annabelle marie calls, the voena big 3: 1) accept the challenge, 2) be self-motivated, and 3) embrace an ethic for hard work. Voena participants learn to think beyond borders while singing music from many countries, all in the native language, promoting peace through the exchange of culture. Through international tours, our child ambassadors celebrate diversity abroad, performing cultural songs specific to each country visited, giving value to our differences. Voenas mission statement is uniting the world with childrens voices. July 1, 2024 through june 30, 2025 marked voenas 30th year anniversary, a momentous and celebratory occasion for the entire voena family, past and present. The year started off with an incredibly rewarding trip to croatia, where participating choir members performed in folkloric music events and discovered the joy of traditional dalmatian music and food. Not only did the children get opportunities to perform at more than 5 traditional klapa festivals and learn songs from croatian children and adults, and they also enjoyed culturally immersive outings which stimulated their appreciation for the country and were rewarding ways to spend time with their families and with each other - building shared memories and experiences. Voena was privileged to be the only non-croatian choir to participate in this important annual event. The entire experience was an overwhelming cultural and artistic success. Voena is committed to providing quality, diverse music education for children ages 6 to 18 from all ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds. Through hard work and dedication, the choir can sing in over 25 languages. This year, our music education program was comprised of the following components: benicia and redwood city based choir rehearsals for preparatory, intermediate, concert choir i and ii, and advanced creavo levels held weekly and culminating in recitals and performances summer school sessions which introduce singing and rhythm basics to pre-adolescent music enthusiasts voena in schools (vis) which brings the magic of music into title i elementary schools in benicia, California and in the vallejo city unified school districts progressive enhanced learning program conducted after school. Voena beats levels i & ii percussion classes using drums from africa, the middle east, and ireland and other rhythmic instruments plus collaborative compositions and workshops with richard sherwood, creator of drumdala. Our choir, voena beats, and summer camp had a combined enrollment of 207 students; voena in school had several hundred elementary students semester; and our in-person audience members were above 500. By actively participating in voena, children come away with much more than music education. They learn critical elements of leadership, including teamwork, goal setting, communication, trust and problem solving, while building self-confidence, and experiencing the joy of achievement in a safe and encouraging environment which shape their development in their formative years. In addition to grants and donations, this years revenue was augmented by the introduction of two new annual fundraising events: the voena fall tea fundraiser and the voices & vines garden gala. Both were financial successes, and testaments to voenas commitment to taking greater ownership of generating revenue and designing events that draw diverse audiences. Voena is proud to have awarded 28 scholarships during this fiscal year, which is the monetary equivalent of $10,450. Our ongoing grant program and donations provide funds that support our scholarship program. Which increases diversity by making world class music education and performance opportunities available to families f

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 26.5%; rating input score 27
• Program expense ratio: 22.3%; rating input score 22
• Fundraising efficiency: $1.01 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 6; 6th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 92.9%; rating input score 93; 25th percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: Limited
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: Limited
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 71.4%; rating input score 71; 19th percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 2 of 7 controls in place; rating input score 29
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Fail
  • Whistleblower policy: Fail
  • Document-retention policy: Fail
  • CEO compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Other executive compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Missing
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Fail

Sustainability

• Operating margin: -20.2%; rating input score 14; 14th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 1.6; rating input score 53; 53rd percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.18; rating input score 21; 21st percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 0%; rating input score 69; 69th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: -8.1% per year; rating input score 0; 13th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 2.6% per year; rating input score 100; 39th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 8.6% per year; rating input score 100; 61st percentile among comparable filings