Total Operating Revenues 1,837,841

Dear Friends of the Big Top:

Big Top Chautauqua is in a strong financial position from which to launch the next chapter of the Big Top story. With the generous and consistent support of nearly 1,000 annual contributors, sponsors and funders, Big Top has been able to operate for the past several years without incurring any operating debt. I’ ve been with the organization since its first days – first as a fan, then a volunteer, then a staff member and now a member of the Board of Directors. I remember well the cycles of cash flow that had ticket sales coming in between January and August, and year-end donors helping us with the monthly bills, but nothing available to pay those first deposits for the next year’ s shows. I’ m gratified that hundreds of people value what Big Top provides enough to send their annual donations in to help make it happen every year. We wouldn’ t be here without you- absolutely, we would not be here, planning our 33rd season. This organization was built by so many loving and generous citizens, music lovers and people who value education, arts and culture. You all have become a family of Big Top supporters. Thank you for helping to make it all possible. There will be challenges ahead, as there are with any non-profit organization – especially one that operates in a cloth building in the Northwoods of Wisconsin. But with a large and supportive family, we are confident that we will be here celebrating together well into the future. To everyone in the Big Top family, THANK YOU for being there for all these years. And to many more …

With sincere thanks,

Net Other Revenues & Expenses » $ 136,638 » KEEPERS Donations and Heritage Society Gifts are internally

restricted for facility needs and long-term planning

2017 Revenues 68 % Ticket Sales and Processing Fees 12 % Sponsorships 7 % Individual Donations 5 % Big Top Gift Shop 3 % Touring 2 % Advertising, Interest, Misc. 2 % Grants < 1 % Raffle < 1 % Big TAP ChautauquaFest

2017 Expenses 60 % Programming 13 % Office and Organization 7 % Publicity and Marketing 5 % Development 4 % Management / Administration 4 % Big Top Gift Shop 4 % Tent and Grounds 3 % Depreciation

Did you know? Mt. Ashwabay owns and operates the food and bar concessions. All proceeds benefit the Ashwabay Outdoor Educational Foundation. Learn more about this non-profit organization at mtashwabay. org.

Therene Gazdik Board Treasurer

Glorious summer nights under canvas & stars

8 WWW. BIGTOP. ORG