Annual Report | Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua 2016 | Page 4

Letter from our Treasurer and 2016 Financials
Letter from the Treasurer
11 Original Historical Musicals
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Letter from our Treasurer and 2016 Financials

Financial Statement Pre-audit figures

OPERATING REVENUES
Ticket Sales & Handling Fees
$ 1,371,003
Total Contributions
429,148
Sponsorships( Shows, TSR, BART Bus, Tours)
$ 235,480
Individual Donations
118,978
Grants
56,497
Raffle
11,145
Big TAP ChautauquaFest( Net Income)
7,048
Big Top Gift Shop
80,235
Touring
35,832
Projects, Advertising, Interest, Misc.
29,900
Total Operating Income $ 1,946,118
OPERATING EXPENSES
Total Programming Expenses *
$ 1,285,649
Big Top Summer Series
$ 1,223,052
Tent Show Radio( TSR)
32,960
BTC / BCO Tours
29,636
Office & Organization *
247,907
Publicity & Marketing *
117,465
Management / Administration *
73,792
Development *
60,021
Tent & Grounds *
62,637
Big Top Gift Shop *
62,621
Depreciation
40,000
Major Purchases( lighting, radios, keyboard)
24,175
Total Operating Expense
$ 1,974,266
Net Profit /( Loss)
$( 28,152)
* Staff salaries included in departmental expenses
OTHER REVENUES & EXPENSES
KEEPERS Donations
$ 104,700
KEEPERS Expenses
( 12,884)
Net KEEPERS Income » $ 91,816 » KEEPERS Gifts are internally restricted for facility needs & long-term planning
2016 Revenues 70 % Ticket Sales & Handling Fees 12 % Sponsorships 6 % Individual Donations 4 % Big Top Gift Shop 3 % Grants 2 % Touring 1 % Projects, Advertising, Interest, Misc. 1 % Raffle < 1 % Big TAP ChautauquaFest
2016 Expenses 65 % Programming 13 % Office & Organization 6 % Publicity & Marketing 4 % Management / Administration 3 % Development 3 % Tent & Grounds 3 % Big Top Gift Shop 2 % Depreciation 1 % Major Purchases
Did you know? Mt Ashwabay owns and operates the food & bar concessions. All proceeds benefit the non-profit Ashwabay Outdoor Educational Foundation. Learn more at www. mtashwabay. org

Letter from the Treasurer

Dear Friends of the Big Top:
The year 2016 came and went with its share of celebrations and challenges. Our 30th Anniversary concert and mosaic of picnics was a fitting start to the new season; friends and supporters gathered together to celebrate 30 years of“ Culture Under Canvas.” Weather really made an impact on several of our shows this year, most notably the double whammy of two major storms within a week in July where roads to the East and South were completely washed out. People holding tickets at that time literally could not get here unless they were willing to travel at least 2 hours out of their way to go around to the west. One week later a great storm cut the power to all of Northern Bayfield County. It was a nail-biter: would Lyle Lovett be able to reach us, could we get generators here in time, would the show go on? Well, the shows went on! However, we did fall short of our ticket sales goals for weather and other unforeseen reasons. Thankfully, our fundraising goals were met and we were able to end the year on solid footing.
The Board of the Big Top stands ready to make plans to secure the next 30 years of Big Top Chautauqua. We are proud to be debt-free heading into our next chapter. We are pleased to have reserved funds from our KEEPERS donations saved for building and facility needs coming up. We are thankful to all of our donors, sponsors, volunteers and KEEPERS for your investment in this community organization. We would not exist without this big family who cares about Big Top and the role it plays in the Northland.
With sincere thanks,
Therene Gazdik Board Treasurer

11 Original Historical Musicals

Musical variety nights featuring
our Blue Canvas Orchestra

37

Guest artist shows featuring a total of 62 groups

8

Free family matinees and school day performances for area students

52

Weeks of Tent Show Radio reaching over 1,090,000 listeners

7 th

Big Top Idol community singing competition with expert coaching

3 rd

Bluegrass Camp for Kids led by Barefoot Movement

19

Free family workshops, outreach activities, exhibits, and demonstrations

5

Blue Canvas Orchestra on Tour shows throughout Wisconsin

5 th

Big TAP ChautauquaFest with music, beer, and food tasting

33,697

Happy concert-goers with warm & wonderful memories
4 WWW. BIGTOP. ORG 715 · 373 · 5552 888 · BIG · TENT

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Glorious summer nights under canvas & stars