2024 Annual Report

FESTIVAL AT SANDPOINT

2024 ANNUAL REPORT FISCAL YEAR: OCT 2023 - SEP 2024

A Message

FROM THE PRESIDENT Season's Greetings Festival Supporters!

As we reflect on 2024, I want to express my deepest gratitude to our sponsors, staff, volunteers, attendees, and Board of Directors.

Thanks to your unwavering support, this year has been a resounding success. Our Summer Performance Series brought together incredible music, delicious food, good friends, and unforgettable moments. Your contributions have been essential in helping us grow and adapt to the evolving world, and together, we’ve created meaningful educational programs for local youth while hosting an extraordinary two-week festival with world-class performances in a stunning setting.

I am endlessly proud of our dedicated and talented staff, whose commitment to our mission goes beyond managing day-to-day operations. They continually push to improve and expand our programs, ensuring the Festival remains vibrant and impactful.

Amy Bistline Board President

We’re excited to stay connected with you throughout the year and can’t wait to welcome you back next summer. None of this would be possible without your support—thank you!

Happy Holidays!

Our Board of

DIRECTORS Top Left to Right - Sarah Pillsbury, Doug Hawkins Jr., Cari House, Eric Paull, Amy Bistline Bottom Left to Right - Hali Karr, Marcella Nelson, Ben Higgs Not Pictured - Chris Blanford, Kara Berlin, Kendon Perry

Celebrating a Great Season

2024 SUMMER SERIES HIGHLIGHTS

Our 2024 Summer Performance Series focused on strengthening community foundations. A stellar series lineup featuring multiple Grammy winners spurred record ticket sales and sponsorships. Our second Grand Finale Movie In Concert: How to Train Your Dragon, was the highest-attended finale in Festival history, breaking ticket sale records for the historic program. We are so honored by the exceptional talent and support from our community for the Festival’s 41st Annual Summer Series.

JULY 27 TROMBONE SHORTY & ORLEANS AVENUE WITH BIG BOI

JULY 25

BLUES TRAVELER WITH JUSTYN PRIEST

AN EVENING WITH

JULY 26

VIOLENT FEMMES

JULY 28

JULY 31

AUGUST 1

AUGUST 2

DREW HOLCOMB & THE NEIGHBORS MAREN MORRIS + THE NATIONAL PARKS WITH DELACEY

LEE BRICE

WITH MADELINE MERLO

AUGUST 3

COLBIE CAILLAT WITH SYDNEY DALE

THE JASON MRAZ &SUPERBAND

WITH MOLLY MILLER TRIO

AUGUST 4

HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON - IN CONCERT

Building Our

PARTNERSHIPS

We would like to recognize the following businesses & families who generously supported our mission this year.

Special Recognition

A huge thank you to Marc and Vicki Brinkmeyer, who provided an impactful contribution of $60,000 to the Festival at Sandpoint on behalf of the employees of Idaho Forest Group.

Contributions like this make it possible to bring artists such as Jason Mraz, Lee Brice, Maren Morris, and Blues Traveler to Sandpoint. They also recognize the Festival's mission of year-round music education and the overall economic impact the Festival has on the region. Idaho Forest Group's Mission: To enhance the lives and livelihoods of our employees, customers, partners, and the communities in which we operate by providing the earth's best renewable building products.

Grant Funding

We would also like to thank and recognize the generosity of the entities who granted the Festival at Sandpoint significant dollars toward our mission, including: Innovia Foundation: 50th Anniversary Grant for 2024 Grand Finale Ticket Outreach, Community Grant for 2024 Summer Performance Series and Inclusive Ticket Outreach Program Idaho Community Foundation: Bonner County Fund for Arts Enhancement Grant for the 2024 Summer Series Idaho Commission on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts: Public Programs in Arts Grant for the 2024 Summer Series Community Assistance League: Grant for Instrument Library and Youth Strings Orchestra Sheet Music

In-Kind Sponsors Blue Sky Broadcasting, Sweet Lou’s, Ting, Inlander, Happy Tech Services, Toyota, The Idaho Club, Keokee media + marketing, KXLY Radio Group, Charlotte’s Web, Realm Partners, Like Media, ASAP Cleaning Services, Cliff & Mary Lou Otten, Sandpoint Reader, Coca-Cola, & Panhandle Electric LLC

Sponsors

Idaho Forest Group, Toyota, STCU, Innovia Foundation, Mountain View Veterinary Clinic, Maribeth Portz & David Wanek, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Litehouse Inc., Van Vleet Foundation, Common Sense Compressor, North Idaho Title, TRS Consulting IT Services, Gregg & Marilyn Marston, The Paula Knickerbocker Foundation, Glahe & Associates Inc., North Idaho Ketamine & TMS, Alliant Insurance Services Inc., True Seals, Washington Trust Bank, Brian & Kimberly Cox, The Schuck Family, CGVI Family Foundation, Paul & Bonnie Bawel, Edward & Rebecca Hawkins, Pacific Timber Products, Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce, Finan McDonald Clothing Company, SilverWing at Sandpoint, Avista Foundation, Powder Hound Pizza, North Idaho Flood & Fire, Cedar Management Company, BC & DJ McFarland Foundation, Greg D & Melanie S McFarland Foundation, Kochava, Sand Creek Custom Wear, Steve & Julie Meyer, Kerr Supply - Carquest of Bonners Ferry, Thomas Klein & Kay Eason, Michael Welp, Debra Clairmont, Christopher & Cecilia Hopper, Bill Williamson, Dan & Lori Meulenberg, Allyson Presta, Gregory J Daiker Family Trust, John Fischer, Nick & Karen Warrick, Julie McFarland Rawson Family, Rebecca & Ken Kovalchuk, Tyke & Linda Van Dellen, Doug & Stephanie Hawkins, Vickie & Tom Pfeifer, Scott & Wendy Dunn, Shelley Wogman, David & Candy Tate, Curt & Bonnie Hagan, Allan Brandvein, Peterson Investment Management Inc., Clif & Carol Warren, Nancy J. Lewis, Bryan & Jill White, Terry & Denise Plaza, Sand Creek Schweitzer Conoco, Mark & Sarah Hawn, John & Lynda Hansen, The Kelly Family, Lodestone Wealth Management, The Schwartz Family, Bob Castle, Nate & Gina Hall, Applegate Health Care, Steve & Dawn Watts, Don & Lori Morris, Sun Rental Center, Amelia & Andrew Boyd, David & Beverly Chambers, Schweitzer, Powell & Reed P.C. Attorneys at Law, Baxters on Cedar, Moontime Traditional Food & Ales, Brent & Barb Leedle, Todd & Cari House, Christian & Gulia Groenke, Duane & Lori Castles, Elevate Real Estate Group, Mark & Robyn Johnson, Marilyn Dalby Sabella, The Dillon Family, Rick & Hali Karr, Genevieve & Chris Campbell, Donny & Lisa Blaese, Margaret Petersen, Marcella Nelson, Life With Kate, Duncan & Karen Watson, Dr. Jim & Geraldine Lewis, Bistline Law PLLC, Charlie & Donna Parrish, Selkirk Insurance Services, MickDuff's Brewing Company, Bill & Deby Ritter

Nurturing the Next Generation

2024 EDUCATION HIGHLIGHTS INSTRUMENT LIBRARY

In alignment with our non-profit mission, the Festival at Sandpoint offers a free instrument library to help keep music an affordable option for local families. Thanks to several generous donors, our library has expanded by 20% over the past year.

Our extensive instrument library includes violins, basses, cellos, ukuleles, electric guitars, bass guitars, trumpets, horns, and much more. The library also includes a variety of music accessories, including amplifiers, stands, strings, and cases.

Instruments are available to rent during the school year and summer.

PRE-K OUTREACH

2024 was the Festival’s third year of offering our Pre-K Outreach program. We continued lessons at Little Lambs and Selkirk School and expanded to Huckleberry Montessori. This free series of inclass lessons is designed to engage students through rhythm, movement, and song. During each session, students focus on a specific rhythmic element while integrating new instruments. This rhythm-based approach helps students establish strong foundations at a pivotal age of 3-6 years, one of the largest gaps in music education nationwide.

ELEMENTARY OUTREACH

This past school year, the Festival partnered with Lake Pend Oreille School District’s 6th Grade Band program to provide instrumental support for beginning band students. In conjunction with our Instrument Library program, we provided 14 trombones, giving over 300 students across seven elementary schools the opportunity to play a new instrument. Students also received section-based small-group instruction sessions with a focus on low brass and trombone as part of our ongoing Masterclass program.

INTERNSHIP PROGRAM We take pride in our internship program that offers real-life music industry experience, while also thoughtfully mentoring and creating roles based on interns’ strengths and interests. Being able to provide a promising and highly-talented intern with their first career makes our internship program that much more rewarding. This summer, four interns took on tailored roles where they could hone their skills in one specific area, including volunteer coordination, marketing, hospitality, and box office management.

Investing in the Future

2024 SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

Instrumental Scholarship Winner

Instrumental Scholarship Runner-Up

Vocalist Scholarship Winner

EVAN SCHWENK

KEANE HAESLE

TITUS TUCKER

Aside from performing in several chamber orchestras, Evan co-teaches the Sandpoint Christian School’s junior orchestra and serves as a cello instructor at the Suzuki String Academy. He plans to attend the University of Idaho with a double major in music education and cello performance. After college, he hopes to become a professional cellist and dedicated music educator, aiming to continue sharing the love of music with future generations in Sandpoint.

Keane has participated in his school's symphonic and jazz band programs for several years and has been the alto saxophone section leader for both band programs for three years. One of his proudest accomplishments was performing “Willow Weep for Me” at Washington State University’s Jazz Festival Competition. He plans to attend Stanford University and pursue a degree in bioengineering. Outside of studies, he hopes to join the Stanford Marching Band and Wind Symphony.

Titus Tucker’s singing journey began in Sandpoint High School’s men’s choir, of which he was a member for all four years of high school. He was awarded first place at choir districts for both baritone and bass solo and ensemble and was named “Outstanding Soloist” at Washington State University’s Jazz Festival Competition. Tucker plans to attend Lewis-Clark State College and pursue a degree in radiographic science, with plans to become a radiologic technologist.

Poster Contest Scholarship Winner 2024 Series Lineup Poster Artist

Charley Packard Memorial Songwriting Scholarship Winner

Charley Packard Memorial Songwriting Scholarship Runner-Up

Gavin was awarded a scholarship for his original song “Lean Into It” performed on guitar. From a young age, he found a passion for music, and aside from songwriting, he can play violin, guitar, piano, upright bass, and ukulele. Gavin plans to attend Boise State University and pursue a degree in mechanical engineering. Outside of his studies, he hopes to gain more experience with music production and engineering and release his original music to streaming platforms.

Emmett was awarded a scholarship for his performance of his original song “The Silence” on the guitar. Outside of guitar, he has explored various instruments including banjo, mandolin, oud, and drums. His music takes inspiration from folk, country, jazz, blues, rock, and celtic genres.

Emmett’s goal when writing lyrics is to tell a story and create connection. He plans to attend Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle and pursue a degree in music, with the goal of becoming a professional musician.

MAGDALENA IDZIKOWSKA Magdalena is a college student pursuing a degree in Graphic and Web Design from North Idaho College.

Before moving to North Idaho, she grew up in Poland and studied at Liverpool Hope University in England.

“As someone who deeply appreciates nature, I was inspired to create a poster inspired by the mountain goats around Lake Pend Oreille,” Magdalena said. “I felt compelled to showcase their beauty and significance through my artwork.“

GAVIN NICHOLSON E M M E T T A D A M S

2024 HIGHLIGHTS NEW STAFF

The Festival at Sandpoint welcomed former intern and North Idaho native Madison Canale to the Festival at Sandpoint staff as Executive & Programming Assistant. Madison has a varied background in the music industry, including working in hospitality and marketing as a 2023 Summer Intern at the Festival at Sandpoint. Each and every member of the Festival staff has become a valuable asset to the team, and their unique skill sets each bring something new to the organization.

POSTER CONTEST

2024 marked the second year of our annual Poster Contest. We were overwhelmed by the talent displayed in this year’s submissions, and it was difficult to choose just one. After much deliberation, the committee selected designer and illustrator Daniel Gill and college student Magdalena Idzikowska as the winning artists of the Fine Arts Poster and Series Lineup Poster, respectively. Submissions for the 2025 Poster Contest are due by February 3, 2025. Visit our website to learn more and apply.

“SCOTCHMAN SUNSET”

Daniel Gill’s winning art piece “Scotchman Sunset,” an acrylic painting, was inspired by his experience hiking Scotchman Peak the past summer and classic travel posters. This year we partnered with Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness, with 50% of the proceeds from our 2024 Fine Arts Poster Auction going towards the local nonprofit.

“I hope that anyone who sees the piece will find it to be a tribute to the natural beauty of the region and the summer days that make one want to relax and enjoy the view,” Gill said.

EVENT SERVICES

Production & Education Manager, Paul Gunter, had a busy year providing event and production services and equipment rentals to the greater Sandpoint area. Services include but are not limited to sound and lighting production, design and engineering, installations, repair, and consultation.

Rental equipment is also available, including speakers, microphones, event and stage lighting, instruments, amplifiers, and more. Visit our website to learn more and submit a request for services.

2024 HIGHLIGHTS CONTINUED TICKET OUTREACH

The Festival’s annual Ticket Outreach program collaborates with local schools and organizations to ensure free tickets to the Grand Finale reach those who need them most. Recipients include, but are not limited to, underserved community members, individuals with special needs, seniors, and veterans. Through these community partnerships, we ensure even more low-income and underserved families access this unique experience and cherished community tradition.

In 2024, with support from Innovia Foundation, we substantially increased our reach and distributed 200 complimentary tickets to underprivileged individuals for the Grand Finale: How to Train Your Dragon - In Concert.

Additionally, in partnership with Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors and The National Parks, we distributed 300 free tickets to their July 28 performance to teachers, nurses, EMTs, firefighters, police, veterans, and currently-serving military service members.

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR 2024 Volunteer of the Year Makaia Knepper (pictured in center), now 17, has been volunteering with the Festival for 11 years, starting at age six. She is the current department chair in training for the Green Team and is the leader of their youth volunteers. She helps lead the Green Team through performance setup and a full venue sweep.

Although much of the Green Team’s work is done behind the scenes and therefore may go unnoticed, they are instrumental in keeping the venue clean for our guests, staff, and artists.

COMMUNITY ORCHESTRA The 2024 Summer Series culminated with the Grand Finale: How to Train Your Dragon - In Concert performed by the Festival at Sandpoint Orchestra.

The orchestra was comprised of more than 70 local and regional musicians from across the Inland Northwest, curated by Sandpoint native Dr. Jason Moody, who also served as concertmaster. Under the baton of conductor Morihiko Nakahara, the Grand Finale performance by our Festival at Sandpoint Orchestra broke ticket sale records for this historic program.

The Festival at Sandpoint’s

2024 FINANCIAL OVERVIEW The Festival at Sandpoint concluded FY 2024 in a strong financial position, thanks to the unwavering support of our generous donors, substantial grant funding, and successful ticket sales. This achievement extends our streak to four consecutive years of surpassing previous records in multiple areas of our organization.

Our dedicated yearround team continues to shape our future, including exploring the exciting potential of a new venue. The expertise and collaboration of our talented staff drive efficient operations, fostering innovation and growth across all facets of the Festival.

Despite an increasingly competitive music industry and rapidly rising costs associated with producing a largescale event, we are proud of our sustained success. We remain committed to adapting and expanding our impact on the community as we look toward the future.

TOTAL REVENUE 71%

PROGRAMS

23% FUNDRAISING

$2,529,310

3%

OTHER

2%

GRANTS

TOTAL EXPENSES 71%

PROGRAMS

$2,156,943

28%

ADMIN

1%

FUNDRAISING

Plans for the Future

LOOKING FORWARD Findings from the feasibility study completed in FY 2023 support the Festival’s need for a bettersuited permanent home. We are actively looking for the perfect location to continue to unite the community through music.

After careful consideration, the Festival has made the difficult decision that outside liquids will no longer be allowed into the Summer Performance Series. Obtaining adequate insurance has become increasingly difficult, with most insurers declining coverage altogether due to our previous beverage policy, therefore threatening our ability to sustainably fulfill our mission and serve our community. We appreciate the understanding and cooperation of our valued guests as we work together to ensure a memorable and safe experience for everyone.

To guide the organization for the next three years, the Festival hired an outside consulting firm to develop a strategic plan centering on long-term goals and planning that support our mission.

Planning will involve community stakeholders including organization volunteers, sponsors, board members and staff.

THE GIFT OF A NEW HOME Do you have property to donate? Your contribution could play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the Festival at Sandpoint, providing a permanent home for arts and culture in Sandpoint and the surrounding communities of the Inland Northwest. If you or someone you know has property available for donation, please email donate@festivalatsandpoint.com to discuss this potential partnership further.

SECURING OUR FUTURE The Festival at Sandpoint Endowment Fund stands as a cornerstone for securing our future, allowing us to continue delivering exceptional performances that enrich our community. The enduring financial support it provides plays a pivotal role in fostering accessible music education opportunities in our community for generations to come. For more information, please email donate@festivalatsandpoint.com

Ways to

DONATE & GIVE BACK Membership

Experience Sponsor

Advertising Sponsor

Make an annual membership donation to support our mission to provide accessible music education and experiences to the community. Donations of $100 or more may qualify for exclusive ticket pre-sale access.

Becoming an Experience Sponsor of the Summer Series is a great way to enhance your Festival experience with priority access to music and VIP experiences like blanket placements and reserved parking while also supporting our nonprofit mission.

Designed for businesses, Advertising Sponsors receive priority access to music while maximizing their visibility and engaging with an audience of over 25,000 annually. Benefits may include advertising, social posts, logo placement, and more

Leave a Legacy

Endowment

Instruments

Other

Have you considered leaving a legacy of music and education to your community? Legacy gifts through wills or living trusts make a lasting impact locally while helping create a lifetime legacy for yourself and the organization.

Donating to the Festival’s endowment fund helps secure our future for generations to come.

Your gift is invested, providing ongoing financial support and stability, ensuring impactful, sustainable change into the future.

Do you have an old instrument gathering dust? Donate it to the Festival, and we will recondition it and put it in the hands of a local music student through our instrument library.

Donations may yield potential tax deductions.

Did you know that we accept donations of stocks and property?

Stock transfers support our mission without capital gains taxes, and property gifts help secure the Festival’s future while offering potential tax benefits.

Volunteer

The Festival and our annual Summer Series could not exist without our hundreds of amazing volunteers. Enjoy the music, friends, and fun of the Festival while giving back to a local nonprofit and your community by becoming a volunteer.

Questions on giving? Contact us at donate@festivalatsandpoint.com or (208) 265-4554.

MISSION

By incorporating the surrounding natural beauty of North Idaho, the Festival at Sandpoint is devoted to enriching the local community by providing a wide array of diverse opportunities to engage with arts, music, and culture through performances, experiences, and education in an attempt to promote cultural diversity, community connection and engagement, and stimulate the economic vitality of the region.

VISION

Through the medium of music we will unite people from different backgrounds, ethnicities, and belief systems and help our community connect, cooperate and care for each other.

MUSIC FOR ALL The Festival at Sandpoint is committed to making diversity, equity, and inclusion part of everything we do – from the music that graces our stage, to our youth music education programs, to the talent that makes up our workforce. Just like the medium of music, we strive to unite people from different backgrounds, ethnicities, and belief systems and help our community connect, cooperate and care for each other. Music is for all and we are committed to leveraging our unique non-profit organization to help create positive change.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY RACHEAL BAKER

FESTIVALATSANDPOINT.COM

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