2020 SPARK! Annual Report

igniting the SPARK! of creativity inherent in all children

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A MESSAGE FROM OUR TEAM

Most years we like to talk of the good we did in the community. We talk of the children we served, and the impact our programs had on them. Happily, the year started off like those in the past...SPARK! was booked up fully, with a combination of field trips, birthday parties, Scout groups, and upcoming camps. Family memberships were on the rise and weekend attendance was up. As had happened in the past, the spring was almost completely booked and due to capacity restraints, we’d started turning kids away.

You know the rest......

2020 – a year none of us will forget. We were forced to close once the pandemic took hold. A “new reality” that lasted beyond the year’s end, and forced us to rethink how to keep our mission alive in our community.

2020 – a year we pivoted. SPARK! the epitome of a hands-on, immersive facility and suddenly we were producing video instructions for children to engage their creativity at home.

2020 – a year that tried our endurance, strained our already tight budgets and took its toll on our staff.

So, rather than dwell on the past – we want to share bright news for the future. The SPARK! Board of Directors unanimously voted to seek out a new and much larger home. SPARK! is ready to expand our services to reach more of the north Texas community. We hope to share news of our future site very soon.

As we look to the future and the planned reopening of SPARK! in June of 2021, we’re excited to welcome the kids back to full creative immersion. With what they’ve lived through, they need the release that only physical engagement and creativity bring, now more than ever.

Thanks for being on this journey with us.

SPARK! ANNUAL REPORT 2020 PAGE 4

IGNITING THE SPARK!

OUR MISSION To ignite the SPARK! of creativity inherent in all children.

SPARK! VISION Our vision is to offer a unique environment that, combined with creative programming, inspires minds, builds confidence and shapes the future for all children.

Unique Environment : Total Creative Immersion 6,000 linear foot Climb, Crawl, Slide Sculpture Unique and interactive displays and installations

Hands-On Creative Programming Programs teach the creative process, defined as: Inspiration, with Iteration and Collaboration, leads to Innovation Programs include: field trips, camps, SPARK!Shops, Scouts, Pop-Up Artist/Creator led activities and weekend open hours for families

SPARK! ANNUAL REPORT 2020 PAGE 5

WHY WE DO IT

Creativity is crucial.

Building future problem solvers & innovators THE FACTS As children grow older, they become less confident in their creative

Arts education increases the likelihood that youth will:

abilities. This is compounded by the fact that there is a significant

Graduate from high school

drop-off in creative educational opportunities in public schools

Attend and obtain a college degree

beyond the 6th grade. By the age of 16, children either define themselves as “creative” or “not creative.” Children who define

Register to vote Be active in arts and culture Serve as volunteers in their communities

themselves as creative have higher self-esteem and better problem solving skills, leading to better performance in school and

Low-income residents with more access to cultural resources experience better

on the job.

education, security and health outcomes, including: 14% decrease in cases of child abuse 18% decrease in serious crime

OUR SOLUTION The hands-on learning and total creative immersive environment of

18% increase in the number of students scoring at the highest level on standardized math and English tests

SPARK! provides students with individualized learning that helps them embrace their full creative potential. By giving students the

CEOs rate creativity and collaboration as two of the most critical skills for an

confidence to be creative, access to creative programming, and

employee’s future success. Studies show that demand for creative skills will only

educating them in the creative process, SPARK! will lead the way in helping more students acquire creative skills to excel in school and

increase as the job market evolves and adapts to ongoing advancements. The ability to think through to a solution and envision new possibilities will continue to drive the world in which our children will live.

compete in the workforce.

SPARK! ANNUAL REPORT 2020 PAGE 6

QUANTIFIED IMPACT

An independent study by data researchers at QREM, set out to determine if visiting SPARK! on singular and multiple visits impacted youth participating in our programs, and how they were impacted. The preliminary findings were impressive, indicating that even a SINGLE visit can impact self-esteem and problem solving.

Based on seven principle constructs; Engagement with learning, Constructive risk taking, Creative learning, Exploration of physical environment, Self-esteem, Attention span, and Self-learning; a series of pre- and posttest surveys were developed to measure each.

"Expected results from a one-day visit for school-aged children would be in the single digits. Double-digit gains speak to the impact the experience has on the children."

“Gains were made in each of the seven constructs evaluated. These findings suggest that SPARK! serves as a catalyst piquing students’ creative interests, and providing an educational environment for maximizing students’ learning.”

“It is very apparent students are learning at SPARK! … they are becoming stronger explorers, and their engagement with learning increased at statistically significant levels.”

-Didi Fahey, QREM Research Team

SPARK! ANNUAL REPORT 2020 PAGE SEVEN

85% of Americans believe investing in creativity increases employee productivity 71% of Americans believe that creativity is being stifled by our education system

CEO's rate creativity as the

156,665

#1 leadership skill

DISD students do not

of the future

receive creative

Creativity promotes risk taking

programming in school

and iteration

7 is the age

crea cts a f y t t i i v i t vity a e r c fa

when engagement in the creative process to create an outcome begins

cts

107,827 DFW kids each year decide "I AM" or "I AM NOT" creative

SPARK! ANNUAL REPORT 2020 PAGE EIGHT

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STEPPING UP IN A TIME OF CRISIS

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, SPARK! has been temporarily closed to the public since March 16, 2020.

Although we are not able to provide kids, whether through Family Days programming, Field Trips, or Camps, with the unique environment depicted in our vision statement, new virtual and socially distanced programs have been developed to continue engaging our community in creative learning programs.

Online programs launched following closure are quite robust, and include:

SPARK! Creative at Home - an online series of video tutorials that walk kids through creative activities they can do with items commonly found around the home. This series launched 1 week after shut down, with a video a week being produced.

SPARK! Creative to Go - a program in partnership with City Square to deliver at-home creativity kits to homeless youth and families SPARK!TV – a video series that interviews local creative organizations and artists, and highlights how creativity and the creative process have led real-world, everyday people to build thriving careers. The series has recently been funded by the Office of Arts & Culture, and continues to produce content and post.

Learning Partners Creative Series - An activity driven, online series produced for school districts and homeschoolers who have no access to field trips currently. The series launched in April 2021, and is offered online through Learning Partners through the summer months.

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SPARK! ANNUAL REPORT 2020 PAGE NINE

While these online programs were able to continue the work of our mission, the loss of in person programs resulted in a significant setback in funding during 2020. In a normal year, SPARK! typically earns revenue covering 40% of our annual expenses.

Without our robust schedule of field trips, birthday parties, special events, and public days to help support staff and daily operations, we had to make significant budget and staffing cuts to ensure that SPARK! would be financially able and ready to re-open when it is safe to do so.

Our estimated revenue loss in 2020 due to the pandemic totals more than $440,000. However, we were able to reduce our expenses by 50%, and keep the SPARK! alive until we are able to reopen and get back on mission and in person!

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SPARK! ANNUAL REPORT 2020 PAGE TEN

FINANCIALS Areas of Expense

Income by Source

Total Expenses $697,942

Total Income by Source $540,287 $60,374

$76,774

$111,671

Administration

Other Earned Revenue $308,199

Development

Foundations

$45,596 Programming Fees

11%

16%

11%

8% 57% $50,573

9%

Related Parties

Pre-Covid $509,498 Programming

4% $25,110

73%

9%

Corporations

$50,435 Individuals

SPARK! ANNUAL REPORT 2020 PAGE ELEVEN

READY TO EXPAND! WE HAD TO TURN AWAY

LOOKING AHEAD

OVER 5500 STUDENTS due

to

space

limitations

in

2019

as

well

as

over

5000 in 2018.

This established cap on our growth opens the door for future EXPANSION plans to reach all kids (and schools)

who

want

to

be

a

part

of

the

SPARK!

experience.

SEARCH FOR NEW LOCATION BEGINS! Committees are being formed and fundraising planning has commenced to move to a larger location in 2023.

REOPENING IN JUNE 2021!

Summer Camp is planned and open for registration for 2021, along with plans to reopen to the public in the Summer of '21.

We are rehiring staff, and looking forward to booking field trips and events at SPARK! once again.

SPARK! ANNUAL REPORT 2020 TWELVE

BOARD

BOARD

OFFICERS

AT LARGE

Chair Ted Stafford

Don Allen Founder & CEO, Core Innovative

Director, Alix Partners Lance Buxkemper

Incoming Chair Michelle Jackson

SVP, Commercial Real Estate Banking, Bank of America Financial Center

Sr. Dir. Recruitment & Retention Marketing, Vizient Olesja Lukjanova Cormney

Treasurer

Managing Counsel, Toyota Motor North America

Chris Holland CFO & COO, VolunteerNow

Justin Cox President, Cox Partners, Inc.

Secretary Lindsay Hedrick Partner Jones Day Reavis & Pogue

Eric Inboden, PhD Teacher, The Hockaday School

FOUNDING MEMBERS BEVERLY DAVIS PRESIDENT & CEO, SPARK!

DEVON DAVIS SOFTWARE ENGINEER, HARMANN INTERNATIONAL

Angela Reed-Shellene Partner, The Reeds Public Relations Corp

Robert Steffler VP Marketing Technology, Neiman Marcus

AMY HITE SR. MARKETING WRITER, STEALTH MONITORING

SPARK! ANNUAL REPORT 2020 PAGE THIRTEEN

Bobby Abtahi Lawyer, Dallas Parks & Recreation Board Chair

ADVISORY BOARD

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

Dennis Kratz Dean, School of Arts & Humanities, University of Texas at Dallas

Jack H. Matthews President, Matthews Southwest

Jamie G. Williams Regional Grants Director, Moody Foundation

Teri Isaacs Executive Director, Salesmanship Club

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

SPARK! ANNUAL REPORT 2020 PAGE FOURTEEN

DONORS

DONORS

FOUNDATIONS

CORPORATE/COMMUNITY

AmazonSmile Foundation The Block Family Charitable Fund Berry R Cox Family Foundation The Patricia B Dedman Family Foundation Heart of Neiman Marcus Foundation Fund Graham and Carolyn Holloway Family Foundation The M. R. and Evelyn Hudson Foundation The Keliher Family Foundation The Lougée Family Fund of Communities Foundation of Texas Moody Foundation PepsiCo Foundation The Inez L Stafford Trust M. B. & Edna Zale Foundation Anonymous Donor

Alix Partners Bank of America Capital One Dallas City of Learning Home Tax Solutions Kennedy Capital Management, Inc. Marsha Clark & Associates Neiman Marcus Group Origin Bank PepsiCo Toyota Motor North America

SPARK! ANNUAL REPORT 2020 PAGE FIFTEEN

DONORS

Julie and Mark Brown Debra Burns Lance and Michelle Buxkemper Marsha and Michael Byers Paula Calise and Bill Reed

INDIVIDUAL

Doug & Susan Cassel Aparna Cavaturu Meah Chachere Susan Chizeck

Andrew and Elise Aberg Monserrat Agredano Mucio Ahumada Allison and Don Allen Mark Anderson and Wendi Day Stephanie Anderson Jennifer and William Barker Shelbi Barnhouse Anna Benefiel and John McKenzie Arlene and Barry Berlin Tom and Dianna Bowen Kevin Bridenbaugh Donna Brown

Erin Choi Maryann Christman Penny and David Cook Olesja and Tim Cormney Justin and Molly Cox Harlan and Kathy Crow Adam and Liz Curfman Tracy Dalton Michela Dandrea Barbara Daniels Beverly and Devon Davis Jennie Davis Andrew Devlieger Daniel Draney

Laura Jane and Jeff Durfee Lindsay and Brent Duty Tammy Dwomo Dena Eichhorst Kathleen Engels Kemi Fasheyide Brooke Fesperman Dave and Deb Finley Jose Flores Allen Foss Mark and Angela Frederiksen Sarah and Jay Friedman Kathryn Gallaway Lisa and Todd Gammon Hector Garcia and Craig Holcomb Kate Garcia Britaney Garrett Carol and Dave Gerard Denise Glasco

SPARK! ANNUAL REPORT 2020 PAGE SIXTEEN

DONORS INDIVIDUAL

Emily Kettlewell

Heather and Kevin Pauzer

Jenny Kettlewell

Jamison Pendergrass and Garrett Schwab

Kyle Kidd

Tamara Pfanstiel

Anne Kniffen

Cameron and Chandler Pham

Ryan and Lauren Lamb

Carlos Pino

Barbara and Dave Lau

Scott and Allie Ramirez

Cyndi Long

Jonathan Rangel

Rosa Lopez

Angela and John Shellene

Kirby and Johanna Lord

Chris Richardson

Linda and Phil Loveless

Raal Roos

Chris Luna

Dale Saville and Joe Gallegos

Julie Macatee

Eileen and Sandy Short

Audrey Manzay

Karron and Bubba Sikes

Amanda Marcell

Inez Stafford

Becky Mayad

Ted and Michelle Stafford

Charlene & Mac McMenamy

Wilson and Diane Stafford

Nikki Miller

Sandy and Michael Stansbury

Christina Moore-Salinas

Tiffany Stanzel

Dan and MaryBeth Norburg

Kathia Steel-Banks

Donna Nuernberg

Ann and Robert Steffler

Jay Nwamdai

Joyce Susman

Nathalie Odunze

Jamila Thomas

Rajal and Aarin Patel

Tiffany Thomas

Kevin Glasscock Lee Groom and Cheryl Stafford Alisha and Chris Gummer Charles and Cindy Gummer Ryan and Michelle Gummer Lindsay Hedrick and Damon Galose Sharon Hensley Chris Holland Eric and Lydia Inboden Teri Isaacs Michelle and Doug Jackson Lynda Karez John Kelly Chuck Kettlewell and Mary Jane Thornton

SPARK! ANNUAL REPORT 2020 PAGE SEVENTEEN

DONORS Tara and Tara Thornberry Marjorie Thornton

INDIVIDUAL

Valerie Torres Ekpedeme Udoh Charlotte Vowan-Wiles Teri Walker Angela Wallace Rachel Weatherington and Travis Owsley James and Cathy Webb Wade and Debbie Wickman Kelly Wierzbinski Asia Wilson Raquel Wilson Lisa and Jim Windlinger Bryan and Marna Wohlfeld Allison Yoder and Stephen Rogers Danielle Zanzalari Velouette Zavadil Anonymous Donor

HOW YOU CAN HELP DONATE

SPONSOR

SPARK! continues our

Whether it's our annual

VOLUNTEER Do creativity and kids make

message of Igniting the

fundraiser; Cocktails &

SPARK! of Creativity with the

Carnival, or our super popular

generous support of our

Student Creativity Showcase,

partners, employee

there is always room for

your heart sing? Then you should consider volunteering at SPARK! We are looking for folks with unique talents, who contributions, community

sponsors! Not only does a want to help make the world a

business donations, grants

sponsorship provide a chance better place by mentoring

and individual supporters.

to help IGINITE the SPARK! of kids in the creative process.

To help ignite imagination

creativity, but it also comes Whether you can give an

and cultivate creativity for

with additional benefits, such

even more kids, we need

as logo placement and a

everyone’s support. These

shout out on our successful

funds will go directly towards

social media platforms (and

hour, a few weeks, or a month, volunteering at SPARK! is creatively conducive to putting a smile helping our community's kids

you get to feel great about on your face!

maximize their potential.

your tax deductible

Please make a donation

contribution!)

through our website. Your contribution is tax deductible.

#donorlove