Robust and Moving Boldly Forward Is Perhaps the Best Way to Describe the Overall Fiscal Health of the Institution This Past Year
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Finances Robust and moving boldly forward is perhaps the best way to describe the overall fiscal health of the institution this past year. Revenues ex- ceeded budget by $1.2 million, thanks primarily to Memberships and Admissions, and helped in part by a modest increase in admission prices, coupled with a growth in the number of people who came for a visit and liked it so much they became members. In addition to contributions, nearly all categories of earned revenues exceed- ed budget at year’s end, including facility rentals and events, royalties, food services, filming, The Huntington Store, and plant sales. From a financial perspective, the big story of the year was the opening of the Steven S. Koblik Education and Visitor Center (EVC), an ambi- tious project paid for entirely from donor con- tributions. The complex of buildings and gar- dens created new operating costs, which included equipment maintenance, insurance, utility costs, and supplies. The facilities also required addi- tional staff members in many divisions across the institution, including Botanical, Member- ship and Visitor Services, The Huntington Store, Facilities, and Special Events. A dramatic boost in sales at The Huntington Store led to increased purchases to stock the store with more inventory. Fortunately, The Huntington was able to offset these increased costs through the boost in attendance, as mentioned earlier, and from income earned from the new facilities. Other significant capital investments occurred during the year, including the construction of five new rooms in the Lois and Robert F. Erbu- ru Gallery of the Virginia Steele Scott Galler- ies of American Art, and technology invest- ments throughout the institution, including migration to cloud-based storage. The Huntington’s restricted giving provides critical support to many programs. This year, The Huntington used $9.5 million in restricted funds to finance mission-critical activities, such Yarrow, kangaroo paw, and other blooms add a burst of color to the Celebration Garden. 16 as the funding of lectures and fellowships, the • Mary Anne and Lary Mielke UNRESTRICTED GIVING acquisition of art and library materials, and • Toshie and Frank Mosher Almost one-third of The Huntington’s annual the hiring of staff to maintain the gardens. • Jud O. Roberts operating budget comes from unrestricted an- Each year, the list of special projects made pos- Steve Koblik’s retirement inspired several nual support, given largely through the Society sible by this funding grows to include new areas, major gifts made in his honor. One gift endowed of Fellows, Corporate Partners, and Membership. like the Huntington Ranch Garden as well as the position of Vice President for Financial Af- These gifts provide a stable source of operating school partnerships and special exhibitions. fairs and several provided endowed funds to capital, sustaining The Huntington’s mission, Business ingenuity and creativity continue to advance strategic education and communica- operations, and day-to-day programming. drive the work of the institution. Given the pow- tions activities. The total of these gifts exceeded The Society of Fellows provides the largest erful impact of the EVC and the ever-expanding $5.5 million. These donors include: single source of unrestricted annual giving. programmatic work underway, The Huntington Created in 1973 with 82 charter households, continues to reflect the extraordinary drive and • Dan Greenberg and Susan Steinhauser the Society of Fellows has grown to 597 house- passion of its staff and the desire to fulfill—in • Bill and Daryn Horton holds whose aggregate giving for the 2014–15 a multitude of ways—the institution’s mission. • Claudia Huntington and Marshall Miller fiscal year totaled $4.6 million. • June and Simon Li Fellows are an integral part of The Hunting- THE YEAR IN FUNDRAISING • Margot and Mitch Milias ton. Involved as docents, committee members, Giving at The Huntington totaled nearly $30.5 • Wendy Munger and Leonard Gumport Overseers, and Trustees, they make an essential million in fiscal year 2014–15. It was an excep- • Anne and Jim Rothenberg contribution to daily operations. Individually tional year for philanthropy—from the remark- • Terry and Dennis Stanfill and as a group, the Fellows are deeply invested able giving for the EVC to the focused efforts • James Ukropina in our mission, as evidenced by this year’s 92 that helped us tackle specific and timely pursuits, • Les and Nancy Waite percent renewal rate. such as training Pasadena school district teach- In addition, 34 families confirmed that they Each year, members of the Society of Fellows ers in inquiry-based learning, expanding our would make future gifts to The Huntington are invited to roughly 50 events. This includes capacity for digital communication, and bring- through their wills, trusts, retirement plan assets, the annual Huntington Ball, a beautiful gala ing our payroll system into the 21st century. life insurance policies, or through other planned celebration that this year raised more than The combined total giving from Membership, giving vehicles. We are deeply grateful to them $415,000. Hosted on Sept. 6, 2014, by Kerstin the Society of Fellows, Corporate Partners, the for their thoughtful and far-sighted generosity. and Steve Koblik, with former president Robert Huntington Ball, and other unrestricted giving A new donor wall for Huntington Succes- Allen Skotheim and his wife, Nadine, attending sources exceeded $11.4 million, providing strong sors was installed adjacent to The Rose Hills as honored guests, the Huntington Ball celebrated operating support. Unrestricted annual giving, Foundation Garden Court in the Education and 25 years of remarkable leadership. The nearly 500 including Membership, played an exception- Visitor Center. The list of over 500 donors hon- guests enjoyed cocktails on the south terrace of the ally important role. Membership now totals ors those whose cumulative giving to The Huntington Art Gallery and dinner on a special- almost 37,000 families and continues to grow. Huntington totals $100,000 or more, as well as ly built floor extending onto the east lawn. Estate This stable and increasing source of funds gives those who have reached subsequent milestones Catering provided delicious food, and Wayne the institution a measure of fiscal stability, allow- of $500,000, $1 million, $5 million, and $10 Foster Entertainment provided dance music. ing it to plan its programs for the year ahead. million. This year, 26 new names joined this Membership set a new record, with revenue Several donors deserve special mention for list and 11 moved up to higher levels of giving. totaling $4.4 million. The year ended with nearly their exceptional unrestricted support. These The Huntington held its second annual, 36,800 Member households. The upper levels donors made gifts in other areas but also “An Evening Among the Roses: A Celebration (Contributor through Benefactor) continued to showed financial leadership in providing an- of the LGBT Community at The Huntington.” see steady growth, totaling well beyond 11,000, nual support of $150,000 or more: The event was sold out, with more than 800 at- a 9 percent increase from last year. The range of • Scott Jordan tendees celebrating the important contributions premier opportunities offered to the upper levels • Charles T. Munger to The Huntington made by the lesbian, gay, continued to be a strong driver for this growth. • Anne and Jim Rothenberg bisexual, and transgender community. Wells Members’ events included a very popular two- • David and Joan Traitel Fargo again served as lead sponsor of the event; day “open house” for the new Steven S. Koblik additional support came from Los Angeles Education and Visitor Center. Feedback was This year, 47 new families joined the Society of Magazine; the David Bohnett Foundation; the unanimous: the new spaces were a hit. Member Fellows. Of the 597 Fellows families, 52 gener- Los Angeles LGBT Center; Uptown Gay and comments included, “Amazing,” “I’m so glad I’m ously made annual gifts of $25,000 or more— Lesbian Alliance; Margit Holakoui Florist; a Member,” “Beautiful views, everywhere you an increase of five families from last year: KPMG; The Langham Huntington in Pasade- look!,” and “I can’t wait to attend a concert in • Margaret F. Leong and and Michael P. Checca na; and the ONE Archives Foundation. the auditorium.” • Terri and Jerry Kohl 17 GIVING THANKS FOR THE NEW EDUCATION AND VISITOR CENTER Unrestricted giving from corporations and Gallery of the Virginia Steele Scott Galleries The new Steven S. Koblik Education and foundations provides critical support to education of American Art. Visitor Center will enhance the visitor programs. These unrestricted funds allow The ° Margot and Mitch Milias contributed $1 experience for generations to come. Huntington to test new models, seed programs, million through the Milias Foundation. In particular, we wish to thank Charles T. train teachers, and provide transportation and ° Lisa and Tim Sloan committed $1 million. Munger for his insight and remarkable free entry for children who could not otherwise ° Maribeth and Hal Borthwick donated generosity in making this project a reality. visit. We are grateful for the participation and $250,000. We also celebrate the following major loyal commitment of the following donors: • Jay and Deborah Last continued their sup- port of the Library with gifts totaling almost supporters: • Gardner Grout Foundation—$75,000. $270,000 for acquisitions of the Jay T. Last The Ahmanson Foundation • Edison International—$50,000. collection of graphic arts and social history, Anonymous (3) • Wells Fargo—$50,000 to underwrite First and for staff salaries, benefits, and profes- June and Merle Banta and Thursdays and $25,000 for Corporate Partners. sional development. The Banta Family Foundation • Bank of America/Merrill Lynch—$30,000. • For institutional projects, Jay and Deborah Andy and Avery Barth • Anonymous—$25,000. Christine C. Benter in memory of Last donated a total of approximately • Milo W.