My Nonprofit Reviews

The following information is also being forwarded to the Secretary of the State and the Social Security Administration for their review and investigation into the following matters.
I am writing in response to a story recently reported regarding Alcott Arts Center in Kansas City, KS. Following an incident of supposed copper wire theft, Alcott Arts Center has now launched a campaign seeking at least $5,000 in donations from the Kansas City community in order to assist in repairs. As a concerned citizen and taxpayer, I wish to caution any individual in our community from offering financial support to an organization wrought with unethical business practices and financial dealings.
Alcott Arts Center is a nonprofit organization. The entire foundation of their ideology is fraudulent; while they claim to serve Kansas City, they have exploited the goodwill of patrons, partnering artists, and the community, while violating federal regulations and the public’s trust.
• Chuck Green, President and Authoring Co-Founder, uses Social Security Disability benefits to assist in funding the operations of Alcott Arts Center. Furthermore, while Mr. Green has been rendered disabled by the government, our community has witnessed his ability to contribute many working hours at the organization. Mr. Green can regularly be seen mowing the lawn, manning events, and acting as the spokesperson for Alcott Arts Center. This can be verified by the following attached documents resulting from a simple internet search of letters of support, some of which are from quite respectable organizations in the Kansas City community:
o Letter of Support, 2004, Faye Greenwood
http://www.alcottartscenter.org/letterfromfayegreenwood.pdf
o Letter of Support, 2004, United Way of Wyandotte County
http://www.alcottartscenter.org/letterfromunitedway.pdf
o Letter of Support, 2004, Minds Eye Theatre
http://www.alcottartscenter.org/letterfromjeffmace.pdf
o IRS Determination Letter, 2007
http://www.alcottartscenter.org/irsfinaldetermination.pdf
Furthermore, Alcott Arts Center has claimed affiliations on their website with KC Stage and Kansas City Kansas Council PTA—USD 500, among others, and I wonder if all these organizations are aware of and support the business practices that have kept Alcott Arts Center in operation. As a taxpayer, I am ardently against my taxes going to fund an organization when those dollars are intended and very much needed for the truly disabled in our community.
• Alcott Arts Center stated in a recent interview on television that the building was and is uninsured; yet, they host educational classes and events in the arts for both children and adults in the community. I take that to understand should an accident or medical emergency occur in the building, there would be no coverage for the individuals involved. This would seem an unacceptable and foolish existence for any organization, especially one serving our community.
• Alcott Arts Center seems to have engaged in nepotism. My research indicates that Chuck Green, President of the Board of Directors, and Chris Green, Executive Director, are indeed married. If that is the case, then how can a Husband President govern a Wife Executive Director objectively and ethically? Not to mention this opens up a world of opportunity for faulty business practices.
• Alcott Arts Center’s financial dealings have been questionable. Having received $10,000+ in donations several years ago to replace a “much needed boiler,” the organization still has yet to make the purchase according to the news interview mentioned above. I can only assume that money has been appropriated elsewhere, since Mr. Green is requesting yet another round of donations in the amount of $5,000 to fix the recent copper wire theft.
Kansas City has a plethora of sustainable, respected arts organizations devoted to serving our community. I would encourage those interested in donating to Alcott Arts Center to rethink their choice and seek a more established and accredited entity in the community. Perhaps those artists seeking to donate energy, time, and talent to raise funds for Alcott Arts Center may put their gifts to better use and recognition elsewhere. I would ask that an investigation be launched into Alcott Arts Center’s operations, complete with a determination as to the veracity of its financials. Our community deserves better than what Alcott Arts Center offers.

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