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