​Executive Director's Report

​Executive Director’s Report
April 2019
 
Finances
  • Cash flow: Our cash flow outlook remains fine through the end of the fiscal year. As in previous years, however, the fall looks to be a tight period. It is difficult to project precisely at this point, as there are still a number of holds in the Sept./Oct. touring calendar that could improve our situation. We have funds in savings that should help us to navigate this tight time.
  • FY20 Budget: I provided the finance committee with a draft budget for next fiscal year at their meeting last week. There is a deficit in this early draft of the budget (as there has been at this point in the last two years), and we are working on strategies to address that. I will have an updated draft of the budget for the finance committee in June.


Fundraising
  • Cantus Idol: Thank you to Joey, Brock, Marit, Karen, and Susan for all they’ve done to plan what is shaping up to be another fantastic event! If you haven’t purchased your seats yet and would like to, you can do so online: https://www.cantussings.org/idol/
  • Grants:
    • NEA: We have received provisional approval of a $25,000 grant; we budgeted $20,000.
    • MSAB Access: As you know, we ran into some significant hurdles launching our access grant for work with Voices of Hope at the Shakopee prison. Fortunately, the outlook is now much better, and the ensemble collaborated on their first rehearsal with Voices of Hope this month. This work will lead to a Westminster Town Talk (an extension of the Town Hall Forum) in July.
    • Athwin Foundation: Application submitted April 1; notification in May/June. (requested $15K)
    • Target Foundation: Application submitted April 5; notification in July/August. Although Target is bowing out of arts funding, they are offering grantees the opportunity to apply for reduced “phase out” grants this year. We could not select how much to request.
    • Boss Foundation: Application due May 31. (request $8K)
  • Twin Cities Opera Guild: This longtime funder of our education programs has invited Sam Green and I to speak at the annual lunch in May about Cantus and its HSR program.
 
General, Admin, and HR
  • Visa renewal: Weighing in at just over three pounds of paper, Alberto’s visa application was submitted on April 10. Thank you to everyone who helped!
  • 25th anniversary: We have the Ordway reserved for an afternoon concert with Cantus alumni on May 3, 2020. We also have a hold on a ballroom at the River Center next door for a potential post-concert gala dinner. In the coming weeks, I hope to have the details a little more settled – in tandem with a thoughtful fundraising campaign to make the most of our 25th anniversary season.