Author: St. Louis Metropolitan Association for Philanthropy

Publication Year: 1979

Media Type: Report

Summary:

The purposes and limitations of this study: The tabulated data which follows is intended to provide a reasonably comprehensive account of the flow of money in the St. Louis area. The primary purpose of the data is to permit certain considerations: A broad view of the scope and magnitude of not-for-profit art and cultural activities; and Most important to identify, examine and consider the basic sources of money. Detailed examination of expenditures and programs of individual organizations is not an objective of this report. Resultingly, greater emphasis is given to the detail of money flowing in - revenue and support - rather than the detail of expenditure.

Abstract:

The purposes and limitations of this study: The tabulated data which follows is intended to provide a reasonably comprehensive account of the flow of money in the St. Louis area. The primary purpose of the data is to permit certain considerations: A broad view of the scope and magnitude of not-for-profit art and cultural activities; and Most important to identify, examine and consider the basic sources of money. Detailed examination of expenditures and programs of individual organizations is not an objective of this report. Resultingly, greater emphasis is given to the detail of money flowing in - revenue and support - rather than the detail of expenditure.

The data used is not exhaustive of all community endeavors to provide to the public art and cultural experiences. The large, well known and respected organizations identified in this report are accompanied by several hundred endeavors of other organizations to make available, from time-to-time, activities and presentations within the broad scope of art and culture - institutions of higher education, numerous associations of artists and performers, neighborhood groups, clubs, affiliates of church and fraternal organizations are among the participants. Because information concerning these many efforts cannot be readily assembled, the total money flow for the arts in St. Louis as tabulated in the report is understated. The tabulation, however, certainly accounts for more than 95% of all money.

General observations of the total St. Louis scene: The column Earned income in the tabulation presents the flow of money resulting from overt program efforts of the individual organizations. It is to a considerable extent payment for service, entertainment, education, life enrichment, etc. for people, but it does include some tax-exempt contributions. The $15 million earned income in the tabulation is approximately 50% of total income and expenditure.

Earned income appears to be growing as a portion of the total. This is a result of planning and management effort in the various organizations. Efforts to increase earned income will certainly continue, but the extent to which it can be further increased is not readily predictable. There is a limit which is related to the level of individual disposable income and economic circumstances which may curtail individual income could be disastrous. The other six columns representing income collectively record the money - $15 million - required to close the gap between earned income and total expenditure.

Three of the columns concern sources which are private - Endowment, A&E and Private Contributions. The total for the three private sources, $6.7 million, is 22% of the total flow of money. It can be considered equivalent to earnings of an endowment to the order of $85 million. About $12 million of endowment now exists (Symphony and Garden). The acquisition of sufficient money every year will be a continuing and difficult task for all organizations in the foreseeable future unless there is curtailment of programs. The other three are governmental - federal, state and local - and provide a total of $8.7 million (29% of the total monet). The tax derived money is to the order of $4 per capita for metropolitan St. Louis, and is the equivalent to earnings of an endowment of about $100 million.

Arts & Intersections:

Categories: Economic Impact