The 990's

[Fran Haring]

Crown's Statement of Revenue is very simple to read, yet a bit frustrating, because, unlike the corps we've looked at so far, Crown lumps all revenue into one line-item entry in each of the three categories:

Contributions, Gifts, Grants,

Program Service Revenue, and

Other Revenue

So, although there's no granularity and we'll get through Revenue pretty quickly, there's nothing to indicate the sources of their revenues from Program Service.

G, any idea if that includes CrownTickets, or is that a separate entity, and/or which revenue category would that be included in?

Edited November 28, 2012 by Fran Haring

[garfield]

Carolina Crown

Revenues

Contributions, Gifts, Grants

Fundraising Events

2009: $67,969

2010: $56,877

2011: $51,223

All Other Contibutions, Gifts, and Grants

2009: $54,534

2010: $140,755

2011: $109,133

Total Contributions, Gifts, and Grants

2009: $122,503

2010: $197,632 (plus $75,129 [61.3%] from 2009)

2011: $160,356 (minus $37,276 [18.8%] from 2010, plus $37,853 [31%] from 2009)

[garfield]

G, any idea if that includes CrownTickets, or is that a separate entity, and/or which revenue category would that be included in?

I wondered if anyone would pick up on this but, frankly, I didn't think I'd get the question until after we're done looking at revenues.

There is no mention anywhere, in any year, of Crown Tickets.

But, again, Crown's auditors lumped everything together into single lines with no explanation of revenues.

This next post may add some clarity, however.

[garfield]

Carolina Crown

Revenue

Program Service Revenue

2009: $1,013,942

2010: $969,995

2011: $1,129,247

That's it. Just one entry per year.

And, in case you're wondering, the sum of each year's revenue in the Statement of Program Service Accomplishments (post #379 above) is exactly the same as these number above.

So far, if Crown Tickets is contributing revenue to the corps, I've not yet found where it's being reported.

[garfield]

Carolina Crown

Revenues

Other Revenue

Sales of Inventory

(reported as Gross sales [less returns and allowances] minus Cost of Goods Sold = Net Income (loss) from sales of inventory)

2009: $242,665

2010: $314,167

2011: $297,326

2009 and 2010 are listed as revenue that is "unrelated" to Program Service (but still tax-exempt), but in 2011 the number is listed under "Related" to Program Service.

It's possible that Crown Tickets' contribution is buried in here, but categorizing such income as "inventory" makes little sense to me. Also, souvie sales are likely in here as well as equipment sales (horns and drums).

There's just not a lot of explanation or categorization in Crown's reporting.

[Jeff Ream]

Let me answer a few of the questions about the Cavaliers, without attempting to represent the organization, nor revealing anything I think they would prefer kept quiet. It's just that I think some of my information will be helpful to those of you who are following these comparisons with interest.

Excluding instructional staff, the corps, as I understand it, pays only one or two part-time administrative assistants. Jeff was paid about $48,000 his last full year when the org decided he needed to be appropriately compensated after 35 years of, essentially, volunteer work as corps director, etc. He left the next year (unrelated to his compensation).

ALL other administrative roles within the organization have been volunteer for the last 60+ years. Some expense monies are paid, but no salaries or independent contractor fees to speak of (again, this does not include instructional staff). Thus, the "lean" operating expense ratio.

This year, one person has been hired to be the Fundraising, Alumni Relations, and Marketing Director, at a fairly nominal rate. Prior to that all fundraising, alumni relations, and marketing work was done (and much of it is still done) by the alums and a few other volunteers.

The total instructional salaries, by the way, are below the rest of their peers in the activity as well, for the most part. Whether they are alums or not, they tend to work for less for the Cavaliers than they could get elsewhere. This is changing a bit, more recently, and will increase if need be to remain competitive, within reason, I suspect.

The tour expenses line item is mainly food (a bit over $100k per year).

Don Warren, Adolph DeGrauwe, Don Heitzman, and the other primary management stalwarts who have been "at the helm" for decades do not accept payment. This includes those in charge of equipment, transportation, food, medical, book keeping, souvenir sales, tour managers, webmaster, etc. Again, some modest expense reimbursement is about it. This may have changed a bit recently, but not significantly, I suspect.

Most importantly, as GRATEFUL as they are to Rosemont, the Village does NOT contribute as much as the general public assumes. In fact, the money is probably less than 15% - 20% of the total operating budget of around $1.2 million. They provide vehicle storage, some office space, refueling when in town, and some much-needed cash (and the cash does not come from the Village, it comes from hotel/motel fees or something akin to that). Grand total of all cash and in-kind given by Rosemont is, again, 15% - 20% of the budget.

The observation about the Cavaliers small "safety net" of excess earnings is quite valid. Thus their continued gratefulness to Rosemont since things are very, very lean without the Village.

The reason we alums raised almost $600,000 in donations during the 2008 60th anniversary year was to help provide some "padding" in the event of an emergency. The first $100k was given to the corps to use as they pleased (for operating as it turned out). The rest is being put into an endowed ("savings") fund and managed by an outside investment entity. Currently that fund has, more or less, $200k in it with about $300k in pledges still coming in over the next several years (as planned).

Hope this adds some clarity. I don't think the Cavaliers consider any of this info I just gave to be privileged. If so, they can kick my butt at the next alum function I show up to.

This is, as the 990s begin to reveal, an AMAZING organization with some of the hardest working adminitrators, instructors, board members, alums, parents, and volunteers I've seen in my 35 years of working with non-profit organizations (as a consultant and as a participant). While this type of set-up does make things potentially "thin" without the paid infrastructure of some of the other elite corps, it has worked well thus far. I suspect, however, that the Cavaliers will begin to become more like some of the mid-level corps (who all probably have MUCH more paid staff than the Cavaliers) as the demands of modern drum corps increase. And, the reality is, many of the long-time stalwarts of the Cavalier management/volunteer team are now well past retirement age and they won't be able to continue this level of dedication forever. The group of younger volunteers in unlikely to devote the same kind of time as the Adolphs and Don Warrens, nor should they be expected to. It will be an interesting transition, but one that is already underway and beginning to transform seamlessly.

Go Go Green Machine (the nickname applies to more than their marching!).

very insightful! thank you!

[Jeff Ream]

Carolina Crown

Statement of Program Service Accomplishments

2009:

CC drum corps: Expenses: $803,874, Revenue: $845,565, Net: $41,691

Night Beat (show): Expenses: $49,375, Revenue: $132,531, Net: $83,516

First Beat (show): Expenses: $25,381, Revenue: $35,846, Net: $10,015

2010:

CC drum corps: Expenses: $922,576, Revenue: $836,797, Net: ($85,779) a loss

Night Beat (show): Expenses: $46,432, Revenue: $113,324, Net: $66,892

First Beat (show): Expenses: $32,741, Revenue: $28,673, Net: ($4,068) a loss

2011:

CC drum corps: Expenses: $987,318, Revenue: $931,520, Net: ($55,798) a loss

Night Beat (show): Expenses: $71,483, Revenue: $162,323, Net: $90,840

First Beat (show): Expenses: $31,537, Revenue: $34,404, Net: $2,867

Sorry, there are a lot of numbers in this post./>

in 10 and 11, wasn't one of these shows TOC?

[drumno5]

Yikes, 380 replies and still going strong. This thread reminds me of those "Data Universe" sites that show the salary of every cop, fireman, teacher and public employee - ostensibly a public service, but in reality more of a busybody's delight. Dig in, if that's your pleasure. But tmi, as far as I'm concerned.

Peace,

Fred O.

Edited November 28, 2012 by drumno5

[cixelsyd]

in 10 and 11, wasn't one of these shows TOC?

Only in 2011 - and it was rained out after one corps performed.

[Cavie74]

Allow me to ask a favor. Please, if you've not already, rate this thread by clicking the stars above the first post of the page.

I think it would be interesting to see how many people are actually following along in this arcane exercize.

The thread's views suggest many are following; by clicking the rating we can see how many unique readers there are.

I notice more guests and anonymous readers than members; anyone know if they can rate the thread, too?

Thanks to all.

As a guest, I got spanked with "nastygram":

[#10345] You do not have permission to rate this topic.

Great topic. I rated it at 5 stars. It has a good beat you can dance to (American Bandstand reference).

:smile:/>

Edited November 28, 2012 by Cavie74