2017 ANNUAL REPORT

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S PA R K ! 2 0 1 7 A N N UA L R E P O R T

3 Letter from the President and CEO

4 Board of Directors

5 About SPARK!

6 Programmimg

7 Metamorphosis Research Project

10 Letter from the board chair

11 Financial Statement

12 Donors

Table of Contents

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Dear Friends,

Thank you for your support this year. It’s been an amazing year of service, metrics, and impact.

SERVICE: Heartfelt thanks to the incredible (2017) SPARK! staff: Monica Susman, Emily Kettlewell, Lynn Raines, Darlene Schneider, Julie Brown and Megan Ostrom. Working toward a goal of serving 6,000 children, they actually ignited creativity in 13,560 children this year. We couldn’t have done this without the support of our board of directors, advisory council, committee members and volunteers who work behind the scenes to support the mission. Over 2,400 volunteer hours were donated this year.

METRICS: At the time of this report’s publication, SPARK! has been providing programming for four years. We’ve completed a massive research project to examine the impact of our programming. Teachers and counselors have shared the effect SPARK! field trips have on their students. We constantly monitor this information and use it to aid in continuous improvement and outcomes.

IMPACT: In these pages, you’ll discover the life-changing skills and successes of students who’ve engaged at SPARK! From one young lady who used her SPARK! projects to build a portfolio and earn a spot at Booker T. Washington High School to an intern who’s gained confidence to head to college, SPARK! is igniting creativity and shaping the future for thousands of children each year.

SPARK! awareness in the community is on the rise. It’s now rare that I hear we’re “the best kept secret in Dallas.” More frequently I hear, “I’ve been there.” Or, “I just heard about SPARK!” My appreciation to each of you who are helping spread the word. We’re not at 100% awareness yet, so I urge you to keep up the great work of advocating for SPARK! in the community.

As we continue to add services and programs, attract families and deliver field trips we’re reaching more and more children and the impact is showing in their growth

and achievements.

I appreciate each of you and your contributions to support the mission. Whether you’re volunteering, donating or advocating, you’re part of an amazing team.

Keep up the great work!

Bev Davis

Letter from the President and CEO

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OfficersChairMatthew A. JonesEVP & CFO, VisitDallas

Past ChairRyan GummerPresident, Gummer Capital Partners

TreasurerChris HollandCFO, VolunteerNow

SecretaryMonica SusmanDirector of HR & Volunteers, SPARK!

Founding MembersBeverly Davis President & CEO, SPARK!

Devon Davis Software Engineer, Cyber Adapt

Amy Hite Sr. Content Manager, Stealth Monitoring

Members at LargeGeorgia Christensen Owner, GLC & Co Design

Teri Isaacs Executive Director, Salesmanship Club of Dallas

Lindsay Hedrick Partner, Jones Day

Michelle Jackson Sr. Director, Recruitment & Retention Marketing, Vizient

M.K. Larson CEO The M.R. & Evelyn Hudson Foundation

Ted Stafford Director, Alix Partners

Jessica Trudeau Director of Development Momentous Institute

Jessica Tyler Director Planning American Airlines Cargo

Board of Directors / Advisory Council

Dana Gerard Chair, M.B. & Edna Zale Foundation

Kevin Hurst Director of Charitable Giving, Neiman Marcus Group

Margaret Keliher Retired Judge, Practicing Attorney

Sarah Losinger Chair, McCune Charitable Foundation

Bill Wallace Founder, Success North Dallas

Lily Weiss Executive Director, Dallas Arts District

Jamie Williams Regional Grants Director, Moody Foundation

SPARK! Advisory Council

SPARK! Board of Directors

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About SPARK! MissionTo ignite the SPARK! of creativity inherent in all children

Definition of creativityA sense of wonder that invites exploration and the discovery of new possibilities

The creative process Inspiration with Iteration and Collaboration leads to Innovation

Kids who identify as creative:• Have higher self-esteem• Develop better problem solving skills• Go further in their educations

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Programming The year opened with the goal of serving 6,000 students in creative programming. By close of year, 13,560 children had ignited their creativity in SPARK! programs.

“We had a great time and the students enjoyed it. I would definitely recommend them for future field trips.”

“You have an amazing facility. Our students were engaged, active and communicating throughout the day.”

“Thanks for another super trip! Your staff is fantastic! Love that our kids get to have this experience.”

“Our students had an amazing time exploring the playground and participating in the creative activity! I heard several students proclaim, “This is the best field trip ever!””

Quotes from Teachers:Field Trips:

Hands-on creative programming was delivered to 180 field trip groups who visited SPARK! from 29 school districts and 39 cities. Of those field trips, 52% of the more than 10,000 students immersed at SPARK! were from low-income homes. After each field trip, surveys were sent to teachers to measure their perceived impact of the SPARK! visit. The teachers who were surveyed said during their visit students:

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Objective:

To measure the impact of SPARK! creative programming on a child’s perception of themselves as creative problem solvers. The study examined the need for students to be exposed to creative programming during their educational years.

Methodology: This study looked at the steps of Inspiration, Collaboration, Iteration and Innovation by collapsing three different survey question stems into one comprehensive document. Students were given a pre- and post-instrument and were measured in two groups: short-term exposure (students receiving one week of continuous creative programming) and long-term exposure (students receiving multiple engagements over one year).

Demographics: The population for this study included 600 beginning to middle school aged children from low-income homes in Dallas County, Texas.

Findings:

• Students demonstrated an overall improvement of 60% when exposed to the SPARK! creative process

• Students who received programming at SPARK! had higher perceptions of their own creativity

• Prolonged engagement demonstrated consistent and steady improvement

• Students from inquiry-based programs outperform their peers in the area of creative perception

Recommendations:

“The need for intentional acts that aid in the development of creativity should be frequent and ongoing for youth.”

“The increase represents the need for teachers to be exposed to training methodologies that embrace the SPARK! creative process of: “Inspiration with Iteration and Collaboration leads to Innovation.”

“SPARK! is a prominent forerunner in creative development for students.”

- Andra Barton Ed.D.

This study, combined with inspiration found in other programs across the U.S., is leading us to create an after school and weekend program that provides access to children each week, all year long.

Research Project:

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Camellia, 14, attended three weeks of summer camp at SPARK! in 2016, ranging in focus from drawing and painting to cartooning and sculpting. In 2017, she volunteered at SPARK! to mentor other summer campers through their creative process and she came back armed with good news. Camellia was accepted into the renowned Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. Camellia said, although she was nervous to apply, she quickly learned she was much more prepared for the process than her peers because of her time at SPARK! “I had to edit items out of my portfolio, when others were struggling to find enough pieces.” She credits her time at SPARK! for cultivating her inspiration and aspiration to apply.

Collaboration is keyDan, 17, a senior at Uplift Academy and SPARK! Intern turned employee, “My problem-solving skills are definitely better, I used to try and do everything myself and now I collaborate with others. After my internship at SPARK! I feel like I could either go on to be a fashion designer or a chemical engineer. I could be anything.” Dan is graduating in May and will attend The University of Texas at Austin in the fall.

Impact Stories:

Camellia

Dan

SPARK! helps student land spot at Booker T.

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SPARK! celebrated its first Membership Month, where members received free popcorn all month long, could make a free wax hand and were given extra passes to spread the fun among their friends.

During 2017, SPARK! hosted two overnight

Girl Scout Sleepovers. The programming

was centered around the Journey aMuse

badge which uses acting, visuals, drawing

and more to enlighten girls about gender

roles and help them see themselves as

future leaders.

SPARK! hosted its first Student Creativity

Showcase during World Creativity and

Innovation Week. We received 109

submissions from 19 schools in the

DFW-area. The students' work was on

display at SPARK! during a gallery event

for parents..

Courtney Bullock, New Orleans-based fashion

designer, was the guest artist for Sea Creature

Sunday a one-time highly programmed event

held in July. Families created umbrellas, t-shirts

and tails with a sea life theme and then danced

in front of a green screen to complete the

underwater visual.

More than 300 new teachers with the Teach for America program came through the doors at SPARK! They climbed, crawled, and slid their way through SPARK! while creating dream schools out of cardboard for display.

Chris Carlson, a Denver-based 3D Chalk Artist, taught the math, science and art behind creating 3D visuals. This fun-filled event, held in October, brought families together to create their own 3D chalk piece to take home.

Whimsy! was an extraordinary event held in October. More than 300 new visitors to SPARK! came through the doors, created numerous takeaways from painting umbrellas that were spinning on a record player, to designing steampunk goggles. The day was full of adventures.

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Letter from the board chair

Dear Friends,

I’m delighted to serve as board chair during this time of rapid growth and incredible impact. This report presents the accomplishments of 2017. It’s my privilege to share with you the vision for our newest programming.

Results from the Metamorphosis Project research overwhelmingly support the need for prolonged engagement in creative programming for children. As a result, the staff and board have decided to introduce the SPARK! Creator Studio. This program provides opportunities for students to experience creative programming that allows them to work on their passion projects through independent-study.

The Creator Studio will increase access to creative learning opportunities and encourages students to engage with the creative process by working on projects inspired by their own passions and interests. Launching in Fall 2018, the Creator Studio will be open after school and on weekends allowing students to work on individualized projects and consult with adult mentors. Creator Studio focuses on two areas of self-guided learning: technology and tinkering. Students will learn and experiment with equipment such as 3D printers, laser cutters, and coding programs and they may tinker with various materials to build and design their own creations. Creator Studio is an “All Access Pass” to the equipment, materials and creative genius of SPARK!

The Creator Studio will be free to all, and encourages social responsibility through give back requirements where students will need to collaborate and assist other children with their projects.

Our staff will continue to provide excellent field trip experiences that dive even deeper into TEKs requirements and creative thinking. Weekend programming will increase opportunities for families to engage in “side-by-side” learning. Special events will draw families with visiting artists and creative minds.

Our success is the community’s success, but we cannot do it alone. We need leagues of volunteers. I urge you to consider how just a bit of your time can impact the future of so many children.

Sincerely,

Matt Jones Chair, SPARK! Board of Directors

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Financial Statement

Earned RevenueIt is crucial for any nonprofit organization to be able to support its operating and overhead costs. SPARK! generates income from various revenue streams including memberships, admissions, programming, event rentals, and gift shop and concession stand sales. It should be noted that a large grant was received in Dec., 2016 to support 2017 programming, giving the appearance that budget was overspent. In fact, expenses balanced to budget.

Application of FundingIncome by Source:Total Income $829,864

52%

18%

5%5%

17%

3%

Foundation Grants

Individuals

Corporations

Related Parties

Program Fees

Other Earned Revenue

$139,698

$152,189

$21,684

$37,938

$45,404

$432,950

Programming

Supporting Service

Fund Raising

80%12%

8%

$114,463

$76,308

$763,084

Admissions

Programming

Events

Concessions

Gift shop

$59,746

$8,735$6,504

$152,189

$51,347

2015

$17,259

2016 2017

$130,941

$291,887

Earned Revenue Breakdown 2017 Earned Revenue is Increasing

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Financial Contributions

Community OrganizationArts Magnet Advisory Council

Big Thought

City of Dallas Office of Cultural Affairs

Dallas Art Fair

Dallas Tourism Public Improvement District

Trinity River Audubon Center

VisitDallas

Corporate PartnersBank of America

Deloitte Financial Advisory Services, LLP

Fossil Partners, L.P.

Gummer Capital Partners

Marsha Clark & Associates

Mercedes-Benz Financial Services

PepsiCo

Vizient

FoundationsBBVA Compass Foundation

Billy & Dodee Crockett Advised Fund of the Dallas Foundation

The Constantin Foundation, Inc.

Dana and Quin Gerard Family Fund

Graham and Carolyn Holloway Family Foundation

Heart of Neiman Marcus Foundation Fund

Keliher Family Foundation

The M. R. and Evelyn Hudson Foundation

Webb Family Foundation

Donors

Deloitte

Staff in spirit of Whimsy

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Individuals

Adams Firstfruits Fund

Cindy Alley

Mark Anderson and Wendi Day

Anonymous Donor

Patty Barnes

Diana Beaudry

Joy Bergmann

Anne Bernhardt

Billy & Dodee Crockett

Bridget Black

Steven and Nancy Bolos

Tom and Dianna Bowen

Faye Briggs

Julie and Mark Brown

Paula Calise and Bill Reed

Deborah Campdera

Kathleen Carey

Lori Carey

Beverly Cavalli and Alan Kerr

Georgia and Chris Christensen

Jenny Cohen

Jill Cumnock

Scott Cytron

Dana and Quin Gerard

Beverly and Devon Davis

Dave and Cassie Davis

Jennie Davis

Dan Dekan

Lynda Denker

Justin Doty

Dena Eichhorst

Adina Eichorst

Chris Eichorst

Diane and Jim Fadley

Matt Fager

Dave and Deb Finley

Joyce Fritz

Lisa and Todd Gammon

Carol Gerard

Ofelia Gonzales

Ross and Sheila Greenstein

Ryan and Michelle Gummer

Lindsay Hedrick and Damon Galose

Amy Hite

Chris Holland

Brenda Hurtrez

Teri Isaacs

Michelle and Doug Jackson

Vicki Jahns

Gene Jasper

Matthew and Helen Jones

Margaret and Lester Family Foundation

Chuck Kettlewell and Mary Jane Thornton

Emily Kettlewell

Ryan and Lauren Lamb

Christen Lewis

Trudy Lewis

Ben Mackey

Shelly and Frank Markey

Sarah McManic

Bob and Charlene McMenamy

Elizabeth Montemayor

Patricia Montemayor

Roman Montemayor

Clint Montgomery

Melpomeni Murdakes

Kay and Paul Myers

Marsha Neal

Robert and Davila Niesen

Donors Continued

Donna Nuernberg

Jamison Pendergrass

Vicki and Clayton Pinch

Lon Ricker

Christine and Scott Robbins-Elrod

Joli Robinson

Raal Roos

Deborah Rosene

Marcia and Arthur Rubinett

Debbi Savage

Debbie and Arthur Schiemenz

Bernie Schneider

Darlene Schneider

Jerry Schutz

Eileen and Sandy Short

Ben and Sara Stafford

Cheryl Stafford

Diane Stafford

Inez Stafford

Ted and Michelle Stafford

Wilson Stafford

Jackie and Sam Strohbehn

Joyce Susman

Monica and Jeff Susman

Morgan Susman

Marjorie Thornton

Chuck Tomiello

Lauren and Wade Walters

Cathy and James Webb

Craig Weber

Tamara and Brian Woodchek

Alyssa Zielke

Marianne Zielke

Madhu Zierath

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In-Kind ContributionsCorporation

Ascension

Athleta

Babe’s Chicken Dinner House

Bayou Jack’s Cajun Grill

Bob’s Steak and Chop House

The Brew Junkie Coffee House

Carol Patrick, LLC

Christoval Winery

Circus Freaks

The Classic Cafe

CSD Framing

Dallas Children’s Theater

Dallas Designing Dreams

Dallas Marriot Quorum

Dallas Stars Foundation

Deno’s of Highland Park

Dickie’s Barbecue Pit

Energizer

Fearing’s Restaurant

Full Circle

Full Circle Taverna

The Fur Connection

GameStop

Garabedian Properties

Gilley’s Dallas

Glen Alan Salon

Hey Sugar

Hill Print Solutions LTD

Hoola Hoops

Hot Flash Communications

III Forks

KaBOOM!

Kendra Scott

Kwik Kar Wash of Keller

La Quinta

Maria Valentina Sheets Conservation Sheets & Associates

Me’s Gluten Free Bake Shop

Michael Mabry DDS MAGD

Murray Media

Nasher Sculpture Center

Neiman Marcus

Neiman Marcus Group

NorthPark Center

NYLO Hotels

Off the Bone

Office Depot

Omni Dallas Hotel

Omni Hotels & Resorts

Opening Bell Coffee

OrangeTheory Fitness Murphy

Paper Affair Dallas

PepsiCo

Player One Amusement Group

Resource Screening

The Rhythm Room

Roanoke Pharmacy and Gift Shop

Roanoke Trading Company

Robin Jackson Photography

Ruth’s Chris Steak House

Salesmanship Club

Sanders Fit Performance Center

ShopSeptember

Soft Surroundings

Sojourn Roasting Company

Southlake Clinical Aesthetics

Southside Studios

Southwest Airlines

Starbucks

State Fair of Texas

Sylvia Tooker, Certified Handwriting Analysis

Taqueria La Ventana

Taylor Custer Jewelry

Texas Girls’ Choir

Texas Rangers Baseball Club

Total Wine

Trinity Groves

Trinity River Audubon Center

Ultimate Ventures

Up Close Creations

VisitDallas

W Dallas - Victory

Westin Galleria

White Rock Paddle Company

Individuals

Anonymous Donor

Andra Barton

James Bauer

Jackie Berry

Margarita and Mark Birnbaum

Cathy Brannon

W Cain

Lori Carey

Shannon Caston

Chris Holland

Michelle and Doug Jackson

Jesse Larson

Val Lenington

Derrick McPherson

Tamera Nalls

Lynn Raines

Monica and Jeff Susman

Donors Continued

Your Donation: • Ignites Creativity • Raises Self-Esteem • Increases Problem Solving Skills

Donate online: www.sparkdallas.orgSend Checks to: SPARK! 1409 S. Lamar St. #004 Dallas, TX 75215

Thank you for your support!

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