ANNUAL REPORTFolk Alliance International

July 1, 2015 - June 30, 2016

About Folk AllianceInternationalFolk Alliance International (FAI) is a 29-year-old charitable organization with over 3,000 global members and five regional affiliate organizations, FAI produces an International Awards Show, a Music Camp, the Kansas City Folk Festival, and the world’s largest conference for the folk music industry that draws 2,500 registrants from almost 20 countries. Advocacy and outreach programs operate year-round out of FAI’s home office in Kansas City, Missouri.

Our mission is to nurture, engage, and empower the international folk music community - traditional and contemporary, amateur and professional - through education, advocacy and performance.

This mission is achieved through:• Education • Networking • Advocacy • Field Development • Professional Development • Consumer Development

Our Mission

Board MembersPresident: Michelle ConceisonMarket Monkeys Nashville, TN, USA

Vice President: Mary Sue TwohySirius XM Radio Washington, DC, USA

Treasurer: Donald DavidoffAcoustic Alley Littleton, CO, USA

Secretary: Lisa SchwartzPhiladelphia Folk Festival Philadelphia, PA, USA

At-Large: Matt SmithClub Passim Boston, MA, USA

Renee BodieLevitt Pavilion - LA & Pasadena Los Angeles, CA, USA

Lou DeMarcoMomentary Love Management Hightstown, NJ, USA

Ralph JaccodineRalph Jaccodine Management Boston, MA, USA

Joan KornblithThe Loud Poet Society Washington, DC, USA

Michael KornfeldAcoustic Music Scene Huntington, NY, USA

Deana McCloudWoody Guthrie Center Tulsa, OK, USA

Tim McFaddenTim McFadden Management Nashville, TN, USA

Dan NavarroArtist Los Angeles, CA, USA

Keli O’Neill WenzelO’Neill Marketing & Events Kansas City, MO, USA

Amy ReitnouerThe Bluegrass Situation Los Angeles, CA, USA

Matt SeverArtist Austin, TX, USA

Alka SharmaFolk Music Ontario Ottawa, ON, CAN

Jean SpiveyOld Settler’s Music Festival Austin, TX, USA

Ellen StanleyMinnesota Music Coalition St. Paul, MN, USA

Erika Wollam-NicholsThe Bluebird Cafe Nashville, TN, USA

www.folk.orgFollow us on social media for updates.

folkalliance @folkalliance @folk_alliance FolkAlliance

Folk Alliance International continues to expand in membership and services. We are mid-stride in a strategic transformation from an organization that hosts an annual conference to one that nurtures the folk music community year-round.

In 2016, our event was successful as ever – attracting delegates from 18 countries and extending our local reach with a public festival. Our regional affiliates offered programming throughout the year. Our advocacy efforts

focused on Copyright & Royalties, Visas & Immigration, Travel with Instruments, and Health Care – publishing educational materials, petitioning legislators, participating in coalitions, and asking the difficult questions.

At our annual planning meeting, we discussed diversity and inclusion in folk. We formed a series of belief statements to guide us as we grow. Through Aengus Finnan’s diligent leadership, our staff has expanded to include positions dedicated to Operations, Development, Marketing, Membership and Technology, enabling us to broaden our work in service to our mission.

We are constantly seeking new ways to welcome and support creators, helpers, and lovers of folk music worldwide.

President’s Message

Michelle ConceisonPresident, Folk Alliance International

Our past year was one of refinement and growth. Staff expansion led to greater capacity, data informed decision-making, community input led to improved services, and increased outreach broadened our engagement worldwide.

We produced our most successful conference yet, launched a public festival to tremendous response, hosted our second Artist in Residence program, focused our Music Camp, closed the Folk Store, forged new partnerships,

and, for the second year in a row, we crested a 1 million dollar operating budget closing in the black.

It was also a painful year with the passing of our friend and colleague Louis Jay Meyers, who had just retired in May 2015. Daily, I appreciate that our success and ability to elevate our industry is a direct result of the foundation he established as Executive Director.

I’m immensely proud of our Board, staff, and community, and continue to be honored to lead this incredible organization.

Executive Director’s Message

Aengus FinnanExecutive Director, Folk Alliance International

Our Membership

Individual1,106

Partner321

Small Org.330

Medium Org.45

Large Org.19

Lifetime132

Non-Voting197 Total

Memberships2,150

“Folk Alliance is one of the most unique and amazing conferences. Friendships have begun and continued, ideas have sprouted out of the rich mixture of talent. Performers, educated audiences, and music professionals are all enchanted by new and traditional music. It is a place to share, rejoice, and participate in the unique and the inspiring.” - Judy Collins, 2016 Keynote Speaker

Policy Advocacy

MusicFIRST Coalition Fair Play/ Fair Pay, H.R. 1733:This bill focuses on artist’s rights (writers, performers, and producers) and strategies for small venue presenters overcoming costly PRO expenses.

Performing Arts Visa Working Group Arts Require Timely Service Act S.2510: A bill that would improve processing for visa petitions filed by, or on behalf of, nonprofit arts organizations.

FAI published two research-based resources to assist artists in managing different aspects of their careers.

Tipsheet for Traveling with Instruments On AirplanesA guide for traveling with your instrument on U.S. airlines operating to, from, or within the U.S.

Understanding Copyright, Royalties and Practical Application in Folk MusicA how-to guide for folk musicians.

Resources

Find more information and links to resource documents and advocacy letters on our website: folk.org/advocacy.

Social Media Growth20152,847

7,986 2016

11,27413,832

2015

2016

16,60019,000

2015

2016

1,0452,157

2015

2016

376520

2015

2016

FAI became a member of two coalitions who advocate for legislation to benefit musicians and presenters.

Membership vs. Members: A membership is counted as a single paid account regardless of size or type. Members are the actual number of individuals associated with each membership.

2016 Conference

hours ofpanels, classes & workshops

224volunteer

hours donated

3,520

2,423registrants

Artists

Associates

Media

Industry

Presenters

339presenters

Festival

ConcertSeries

Venue

HouseConcert

Camp Theater

Australia • Belgium • Canada • Denmark • Estonia Finland • Germany • Great Britain • Ireland • ItalyJapan • Mexico • Netherlands • New ZealandPoland • Sweden • Switzerland • United States

CountriesRepresented18

“The camaraderie, community, and musicianship make Folk Alliance an essential part of our culture. Through my involvement, my career has grown from playing local folk festivals to GRAMMY stages. I will never forget the experience of learning from and standing shoulder to shoulder with musicians of like minds and the true legends of the field.”

- Dom Flemons, GRAMMY® Award-Winning Artist

February 17-21, 2016 | Kansas City, MO, USA

16 industry/presenters • 99 artists

First-TimerScholarships115

Financial Snapshot

Thou

sand

s

250

500

750

1,000

0Revenue Expenses

$1,074,193$1,027,012

Annual Revenue vs. Expenses

MembershipsConference

Barters

Music Camp & KC Folk FestOther

Donations

In-kind Donations

totalrevenue$1,074,193

Conference 60% Memberships 15% Barters 13% Donations 5%

Other 3% Music Camp & KC Folk Fest 2% In-kind 1%

Fundraising DiversificationDonor Base Growth Sponsorship & Barter Growth

2016

sponsors barters

2015

$80,000

$100,000

$120,000

$140,000

$160,00038%increase

43%increase

Qua

ntit

y of

Don

ors

Level of Giving 2015 2016

totalexpenses

$1,027,012

Management & General 22%Program Services 74% Fundraising 4%

ProgramServices

Management& General

Fundraising

86% Conference8% Music Camp4% KC Folk Festival2% Other

55% Registrations25% Sponsors & Ads20% Other

10

20

30

$25 $50 $100 $250 $500

37%increase 46%

increase

52%increase

44%increase

50%increase

$1,000+

50%decrease

Overall Growth

47%

Overall Growth

41%

FAI StaffExecutive DirectorAengus Finnan

Director of OperationsJennifer Roe

Business Development ManagerAlex Mallett

Communications ManagerErika Cecilia Noguera

Creative Services ManagerJenny Tonyes

Membership & TechnologyManagerJerod Rivers

Administrative AssistantLeah Watts

Event StaffCanadian RepresentativeAna Miura

International RepresentativeSheena Keane

KC Folk Festival Artisan Market CoordinatorTara Tonsor

Music Camp DirectorDoug Cox

Private Showcase CoordinatorJim Schultz

Program CoordinatorCindy Cogbill

PublicistLellie Capwell

Volunteer CoordinatorBeth Hatch

Our Funders artskccrossroads

campaign

artskccrossroads

campaign

ARTSKCcrossroadscampaign

Our DonorsOur deepest thanks to the following donors who supported the charitable mission of our 501c3 organization during the 2015/16 fiscal year.

Benefactor (up to $10,000)Anonymous

Partners (up to $1,000)Martin Guitar Charitable Foundation

Leaders (donations up to $500)Michelle Conceison~Donald Davidoff~ Aengus Finnan~Ralph Jaccodine~

Advocates (up to $250) Pete & Julie BrowneMartha Stacener DantzicRichard HillRobijn HornstraDavid IsraeliteJoan Kornblith~Alex Mallett~Grant MallettTim McFadden~Art MeniusDan Navarro~Amy Reitnouer~ Riverstone Resources LLCJoyce SicaEllen Stanley~Erika Wollam Nichols~

Supporters (up to $100)Erik Balkey*** Phyllis Barney Jim BizerBeau BledsoeRenee Bodie~Branford Folk Music SocietySav BuistLou and Lorraine DeMarcoMike DollFiddle & Bow Folk Music Society John FrinkThomas GarlowSara Henderson White* Steve HermesLiz Levitt Hirsch David Hirshland~Michael Kornfeld~James Kweskin Bud JohnsonPeter Lattu

Lisa Schwartz~ David ShulderMatt Smith~Jean Spivey~Jill StargardtPhilip StoffregenJenny Tonyes~MarySue Twohy~ Richard M. Warren Keli Wenzel~Tommy Womack

Friends of FAI (up to $50)Kevin Amey Tom BegichJosh BunchJohn Deprisco Nancy DillonKelly DoughertyLizz FerdinaBernd HaberCandace HarsanyJ. Michael Henchman INYO Council for the ArtsMichael JaworekJohnsmithVon KopfmanHal KurzJames MartinBruce NewmanStuart Geoffrey OngleyLinda J. Ray Jerod Rivers~ Jennifer Roe~Irene RosenthalRoberta SchultzAnthony & Judith SeegerWm. J. ShapiroPaul Tyler Christopher Waltz Joy Zimmerman

Fans OF FAI (up to $25)Alamosa Live Music Association David HB Drake Leslie Evers John FerulloJenni FinlayJoni Fornelli Gregg GehrigRobert HowardSteve KatzBob KayGary & Pam KruthChris LaVancherDiane LincolnGary LynchErin McGrane & Jeff FrelingSteve MesulamGreg PattersonKathy PetersChris PetersonBrandon and Jennifer Phillips Kimberly RayDeb SchenkMinor SeymourBetsy SigginsLaura SmithLaura Spink & Graydon JamesGerald TrimbleMike Warren David WilkesTim Young

Legend~ member of FAI Staff or Board of Directors

* Donation to the Elaine Weissman Fund (First-Timer Scholarship)

** Donation to the Mike Seeger Fund (Traditional Artist Scholarship)

*** Donation to the Gene Shay Fund (Emerging Folk DJ Scholarship)

“I contribute annually, and have done for a dozen years. It’s not just to support my musical immediate family, worthy as that is, but to help further the essential role of Folk Alliance in fostering connection through storytelling. In an increasingly isolating world, that’s arguably more important than ever.”

- Dan Navarro, Artist and FAI Past President

To donate or bequeath funds visit folk.org/donate. Federal EIN # 56-1698333.

509 Delaware Street, Suite 101, Kansas City, MO, USA 64105816.221.3655 www.folk.org

Outreach & Education

• An advocate for the folk community• Expanding internationally and

synonymous with folk globally• A presenter of world-class showcases• An active partner in business and career

development• Inspiring and connecting creators• An educational resource for folk music

and culture• Progressive, relevant, diverse, inclusive,

high-profile, innovative, creative, and fun

Looking Ahead2017: Forbidden Folk

February 15-19, 2017Kansas City, MO, USA

2018: 30th AnniversaryFebruary 14-18, 2018Kansas City, MO, USA

2019: MontrealFebruary 13-17, 2019Montreal, QC, CAN

Folk Alliance International has a proud past, a stable foundation, strong direction, and an ambitious team. We have a clear vision for continued growth and refinement, one in which the organization is:

“I believe the future of folk music is more than it’s conventional ideas of itself. It is rooted in our connections to place, culture, and community. It is our collective memory. It is alive, changing, and ever- growing. Folk music encompasses the imaginings and inspirations of many voices; dissenting, celebrating and documenting our identity.”

- Shoshona Kish, JUNO Award-Winning Artist

Artist in ResidenceA program to connect musicians with national institutions and community organizations through innovative partnerships. folk.org/airprogram

Kansas City Folk FestivalA one-day indoor family music event with multiple stages, workshops, participatory folk dance, and artisan market. folk.org/kcfolkfest

Music CampA 3-day public program of world-class instructors and legendary artists offering introductory and master classes at all levels.folk.org/musiccamp

Industry DevelopmentStaff presence and folk music promotion at key markets: A2IM, AMA, APAP, Breakout West, CMW, FARM, FAR-WEST, Folk Expo, IBMA, NERFA, SERFA, SWERFA, SXSW, WOMEX.

FAI is committed to enhanced recycling, waste-diversion practices, and reducing its environmental impact. This document is made from 100% eucalyptus fibers and is printed with soy ink. For more information on our sustainability efforts, visit folk.org/greenfolk.