Letter from Chip Northrup

Diversity Is Key for Glimmerglass

Glimmerglass Festival’s latest tax filing has been released and is available at https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/161053970. It shows that much of the debt was paid down in 2019 (good timing!). A profit in 2020, 2021, then a loss in 2022—approximately 70 percent of revenue via donations.

An analogy is the Santa Fe Opera, financials here: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/850131810. Santa Fe is a larger company, better endowed, is consistently profitable, and its revenue from performances is higher—from a season that is twice as long in a larger town.

The market to increase non-opera productions, increase program income, and increase the usefulness of the facility may be indicated by Foothill’s tax return, found here, https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/foothills-performing-arts-center,223756598/, which shows program income from a broad array of performances and substantial donations. The difference is that Foothills hosts a variety of performances—including the Met—year round. The Glimmerglass facility is open for 28 days this year, or less than 33 percent of the summer season.

Chip Northrup
Cooperstown