Executive Director's Report

jh_executive_directors_report_february_2018.pdf
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Finances
  • Cash flow: Similar to last year, I expect there will be a somewhat lean time just ahead of Cantus Idol before we rebound. Although I am just beginning work on FY19 budget, I anticipate September will also be a very lean time. Barring surprises, things look OK through the end of FY18:

  • Feb. 16-28:                   $55,943
  • March 1-15:                 $54,633
  • March 16-31:              $75,972
  • April 1-15:                    $59,013
  • April 16-30:                 $38,080
  • May 1-15:                      $4,442
  • May 16-31:                   $42,009
  • June 1-15:                      $25,822
  • June 16-30:                   $25,822
  • July 1-15:                       $33,984
  • July 16-31:                    $46,101
  • Aug. 1-15:                     $25,236

  • Reforecast: Halfway through FY18, we are on track to end the fiscal year in the black. However, this rests on a few assumptions, which I look forward to discussing as part of the reforecast conversation. 
 
Fundraising
  • Grants:
    • Minnesota State Arts Board:
      • General operating support: interim application submitted in January (last year we received $53K).
      • Arts learning grant: new proposal submitted for an extension of our HSR program to the Minnesota Boychoir. This would focus on fostering good vocal health and confidence during voice-change. ($32K request)
    • McKnight Foundation: LOI submitted in January; full proposal submitted in February; site visit scheduled for March 6 (potentially $60K over two years)
    • Athwin Foundation: Cantus has been invited to apply in the foundation’s spring round of grants.
    • Other grants received since we last met: Wenger Foundation ($5K) and Heilmaier Foundation (increased grant of $5K, up from $3,500). 
  • Planned Giving: A longtime Cantus supporter called in December to say that she was including the organization in her estate planning and to request some documentation for her lawyer.
  • Stewardship: We had a nice group of donors in attendance at the High School Residency Festival Day this month, and several have RSVP’d to observe a small portion of audition day.
 
General and Admin
  • Work visas: Two of the candidates who have auditioned for Cantus this year need or will need visa sponsorship. With pro-bono guidance from an immigration attorney, Cantus is able to provide (non-financial) support for a P1-B visa application if the organization is interested in hiring one of these candidates. The attorney said our employment structure would not be competitive for a standard H1-B visa.
  • Insurance: Cantus has renewed its health insurance with BlueCross BlueShield. The rates increased 12 percent this year, but we had budgeted for an increase of 15 percent to match last year’s increase.
  • Harassment Policy: With guidance from a pro-bono lawyer who specializes in employment law, we have developed a company policy on sexual harassment. Singers and staff received the policy earlier this month.