Nonprofit · EIN 39-1049688
MILWAUKEE WORLD FESTIVAL INC
Tax-exempt · MILWAUKEE, WI 53202
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2024 | 990 (amended) | $69,991,931 | $75,671,919 | -$5,679,988 | $94,078,881 | $74,263,018 | $19,815,863 |
| December 31, 2023 | 990 | $75,418,252 | $76,687,189 | -$1,268,937 | $110,150,946 | $84,829,194 | $25,321,752 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $13,737,346
- of which government grants
- $253,560
- Program service revenue
- $52,184,136
- Investment income
- $749,336
- Royalties
- $319,737
- Net rental income
- $2,972,008
- Net income from fundraising events
- -$15,632
- Other revenue
- $3,321,113
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $0
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $2,093,660
- Other salaries and wages
- $8,092,646
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $12,104,227
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Legal fees
- $188,522
- Accounting fees
- $42,200
- Occupancy
- $2,690,676
- Depreciation
- $11,564,776
- Program services (functional)
- $68,119,380
- Management and general (functional)
- $6,606,009
- Fundraising (functional)
- $946,530
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $110,150,946
- Total assets, end of year
- $94,078,881
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $74,263,018
- Net assets, end of year
- $19,815,863
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $65,658,906
- Publicly traded securities
- $9,000,000
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $19,815,863
- Gross unrelated business income
- $3,718,706
- Gross receipts
- $71,288,924
- Employees
- 2,441
- Volunteers
- 26
- Year formed
- 1965
- State of legal domicile
- WI
From the e-filed returns the IRS publishes as XML (latest three processing years; amended returns replace the original). PDF copies at the IRS.
Officers, directors and key employees
As listed on the 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024, highest compensation first.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SARAH PANCHERI | PRESIDENT & CEO (NON VOTING) Officer | 45 | $428,000 | $34,058 |
| DON SMILEY | IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT/CEO (NV) Officer | 35 | $379,583 | $45,098 |
| ZACH HASENSTEIN | VICE PRESIDENT/CFO Key employee | 45 | $228,915 | $39,211 |
| JASON STUEWE | VP PLANNING/DEVELOPMENT Key employee | 45 | $202,818 | $30,219 |
| SCOTT ZIEL | VP OF ENTERTAINMENT Key employee | 45 | $183,900 | $40,940 |
| GAYE LITTELL | VP/EXECUTIVE PRODUCER Key employee | 45 | $198,471 | $22,705 |
| KEVIN CANADY | VP SALES & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Key employee | 45 | $204,665 | $12,651 |
| SHAWN WATKINS | INFRASTRUCTURE ENGINEER MANAGER Highest-paid employee | 45 | $142,637 | $25,473 |
| LENA DELEAT | SALES DIRECTOR-SPONSORSHIPS/EVENT DIRECTOR-SF TECH Highest-paid employee | 45 | $148,615 | $18,309 |
| DERRICK HARRIS | DIRECTOR OF SECURITY Highest-paid employee | 45 | $142,064 | $9,468 |
| NICK VOLZ | SOFTWARE ENGINEERING MANAGER Highest-paid employee | 45 | $126,652 | $23,988 |
| JERROD WOODS | SENIOR DIRECTOR OF MARKETING Highest-paid employee | 45 | $122,325 | $22,536 |
| MARY ELLEN STANEK | CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD Trustee or director, Officer | 0.4 | $0 | $0 |
| TED KELLNER | FIRST VICE PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 0.4 | $0 | $0 |
| CORY NETTLES | SECOND VICE PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 0.4 | $0 | $0 |
24 more people on this return
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JOANNE ANTON | AT-LARGE BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.4 | $0 |
| JOANNE BISCHMANN | AT-LARGE BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.4 | $0 |
| GABRIELLE FINLEY-HAZLE | AT-LARGE BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.4 | $0 |
| DANA GUTHRIE | AT-LARGE BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.4 | $0 |
| CHUCK HARVEY | AT-LARGE BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.4 | $0 |
| DAN MINAHAN | AT-LARGE BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.4 | $0 |
| JACK SALZWEDEL | AT-LARGE BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.4 | $0 |
| TIM SHEEHY | AT-LARGE BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.4 | $0 |
| MIKE WHITE | AT-LARGE BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.4 | $0 |
| PEGGY WILLIAMS-SMITH | AT-LARGE BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.4 | $0 |
| ANNE ZIZZO | AT-LARGE BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.4 | $0 |
| MOLLY MODLINSKI | UNITED ETHNIC FESTIVALS REP. Trustee or director | 0.4 | $0 |
| ERIC RADUE | UNITED ETHNIC FESTIVALS REP. Trustee or director | 0.4 | $0 |
| LUKE OLSON | UNITED ETHNIC FESTIVALS REP. Trustee or director | 0.4 | $0 |
| JOAN PRINCE | CITIZEN DESIGNEE BY MAYOR OF MILWAUKEE Trustee or director | 0.4 | $0 |
| ANDY NUNEMAKER | CITIZEN DESIGNEE BY MILWAUKEE COUNTY EXECUTIVE Trustee or director | 0.4 | $0 |
| MICHAEL MAISTELMAN | CITIZEN DESIGNEE BY MILWAUKEE COMMON COUNCIL (THRU Trustee or director | 0.4 | $0 |
| JEFF MUSA | CITIZEN DESIGNEE BY MILWAUKEE COMMON COUNCIL Trustee or director | 0.4 | $0 |
| JIM WRIGHT | DESIGNATED BY MOLSON COORS BEVERAGE COMPANY Trustee or director | 0.4 | $0 |
| AARON JAGDFELD | DESIGNATED BY GENERAC POWER SYSTEMS, INC. Trustee or director | 0.4 | $0 |
| JUD SNYDER | DESIGNATED BY BMO HARRIS BANK, NA Trustee or director | 0.4 | $0 |
| PAUL SWEENEY | TREASURER - NON VOTING Officer | 0.4 | $0 |
| GREG WESLEY | SECRETARY - NON VOTING Officer | 0.4 | $0 |
| HOWARD SOSOFF | CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD EMERITUS - NON VOTING Officer | 0.4 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2023: 41 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DON SMILEY | CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER - NON VOTING Officer | 45 | $882,887 | $78,686 |
| SARAH PANCHERI | PRESIDENT - NON VOTING Officer | 45 | $377,865 | $61,030 |
| ZACH HASENSTEIN | VICE PRESIDENT/CFO Key employee | 45 | $207,563 | $60,543 |
| JASON STUEWE | VP PLANNING/DEVELOPMENT Key employee | 45 | $197,899 | $46,007 |
| MARY SCHANNING | CAO AND GENERAL COUNSEL Key employee | 45 | $199,602 | $33,046 |
| GAYE LITTELL | VP/EXECUTIVE PRODUCER Key employee | 45 | $191,263 | $40,941 |
| SCOTT ZIEL | VP OF ENTERTAINMENT Key employee | 45 | $173,951 | $53,881 |
| KEVIN CANADY | VP SALES & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Key employee | 45 | $194,272 | $31,195 |
| SHAWN WATKINS | INFRASTRUCTURE ENGINEER MANAGER Highest-paid employee | 45 | $134,158 | $37,525 |
| LENA DELEAT | SALES DIRECTOR-SPONSORSHIP Highest-paid employee | 45 | $137,484 | $31,619 |
| DERRICK HARRIS | DIRECTOR OF SECURITY Highest-paid employee | 45 | $139,468 | $23,433 |
| NICK VOLZ | SOFTWARE ENGINEERING MANAGER Highest-paid employee | 45 | $122,637 | $34,473 |
| VIC THOMAS | ASSOCIATE ENTERTAINMENT DIRECTOR Highest-paid employee | 45 | $125,359 | $31,744 |
| MARY ELLEN STANEK | CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD Trustee or director, Officer | 0.4 | $0 | $0 |
| TED KELLNER | FIRST VICE PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 0.4 | $0 | $0 |
| CORY NETTLES | SECOND VICE PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 0.4 | $0 | $0 |
| TIM SHEEHY | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 0.4 | $0 | $0 |
| JOANNE BISCHMANN | AT-LARGE BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.4 | $0 | $0 |
| DAVID CASPER | DESIGNATED BY BMO HARRIS BANK, NA (THRU MAY 2023) Trustee or director | 0.4 | $0 | $0 |
| MICHAEL D'AMATO | CITIZEN DESIGNEE BY MAYOR (THRU MAR 2023) Trustee or director | 0.4 | $0 | $0 |
| DANA GUTHRIE | AT-LARGE BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.4 | $0 | $0 |
| AARON JAGDFELD | DESIGNATED BY GENERAC POWER SYSTEMS, INC. Trustee or director | 0.4 | $0 | $0 |
| MIKE LAUER | AT-LARGE BOARD MEMBER (THRU MAR 2023) Trustee or director | 0.4 | $0 | $0 |
| MICHAEL MAISTELMAN | CITIZEN DESIGNEE BY MILWAUKEE COMMON COUNCIL Trustee or director | 0.4 | $0 | $0 |
| DAN MINAHAN | AT-LARGE BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.4 | $0 | $0 |
| MIKE MITCHELL | UNITED ETHNIC FESTIVALS REP. Trustee or director | 0.4 | $0 | $0 |
| ANDY NUNEMAKER | CITIZEN DESIGNEE BY MILWAUKEE COUNTY EXECUTIVE Trustee or director | 0.4 | $0 | $0 |
| LUKE OLSON | UNITED ETHNIC FESTIVALS REP. Trustee or director | 0.4 | $0 | $0 |
| JOAN PRINCE | CITIZEN DESIGNEE BY MAYOR OF MILWAUKEE Trustee or director | 0.4 | $0 | $0 |
| ERIC RADUE | UNITED ETHNIC FESTIVALS REP. Trustee or director | 0.4 | $0 | $0 |
| JACK SALZWEDEL | AT-LARGE BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.4 | $0 | $0 |
| JUD SNYDER | DESIGNATED BY BMO HARRIS BANK, NA Trustee or director | 0.4 | $0 | $0 |
| PAUL SWEENEY | AT-LARGE BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.4 | $0 | $0 |
| GREG WESLEY | AT-LARGE BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.4 | $0 | $0 |
| MIKE WHITE | AT-LARGE BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.4 | $0 | $0 |
| PEGGY WILLIAMS-SMITH | AT-LARGE BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.4 | $0 | $0 |
| JIM WRIGHT | DESIGNATED BY MOLSON COORS BEVERAGE COMPANY Trustee or director | 0.4 | $0 | $0 |
| ANNE ZIZZO | AT-LARGE BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.4 | $0 | $0 |
| CHUCK HARVEY | TREASURER - NON VOTING Officer | 0.4 | $0 | $0 |
| HOWARD SCHNOLL | SECRETARY - NON VOTING (THRU MAR 2023) Officer | 0.4 | $0 | $0 |
| HOWARD SOSOFF | CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD EMERITUS - NON VOTING Officer | 0.4 | $0 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 639 E SUMMERFEST PL, MILWAUKEE, WI 53202-6216
- Principal officer (990 for 2024)
- SARAH PANCHERI, 639 E SUMMERFEST PLACE, MILWAUKEE, WI 53202
- Signed the 990
- SARAH PANCHERI, CEO
- Phone
- (414) 273-2680
- Return prepared by
- WIPFLI ADVISORY LLC
Mission
THE CORPORATION SHALL BE A CIVIC ORGANIZATION NOT ORGANIZED FOR PROFIT BUT OPERATED EXCLUSIVELY FOR CHARITABLE AND EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES INCLUDING IN FURTHERANCE THEREOF, THE PRODUCTION OF AN ANNUAL FESTIVAL IN THE MILWAUKEE METROPOLITAN AREA KNOWN AS SUMMERFEST, THE PRODUCTION OF OTHER EVENTS AND ETHNIC FESTIVALS DURING AN ANNUAL FESTIVAL SEASON DURING THE MONTHS OF MAY THROUGH OCTOBER OF EACH YEAR, ALL OF THE AFOREMENTIONED ACTIVITIES BEING DIRECTED TOWARD PROMOTING AN UNDERSTANDING BY MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC OF DIFFERENT ETHNIC CULTURES, EDUCATING THE GENERAL PUBLIC IN THE HISTORIES AND TRADITIONS OF VARIOUS NATIONALITIES, PROVIDING A SUITABLE SHOWCASE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS, PROVIDING ACTIVITIES AND RECREATION AVAILABLE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC, PROMOTING RACIAL AND ETHNIC HARMONY IN THE COMMUNITY, PROMOTING CIVIC PRIDE, AND PROVIDING EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE COMMUNITY'S YOUTH.
Program accomplishments
- SUMMERFEST IS AN ANNUAL FESTIVAL IN THE MILWAUKEE METROPOLITAN AREA. IT IS THE WORLD'S LARGEST MUSIC FESTIVAL. TOTAL ATTENDANCE WAS 555,925 IN 2024.Expenses $33,671,224 · revenue $36,146,806
- THIS CATEGORY REPRESENTS SEASONAL OPERATING REVENUES AND EXPENSES THAT ARE NOT DIRECTLY ATTRIBUTED TO A SPECIFIC EVENT. ADDITIONALLY, IT REPRESENTS OTHER INCOME AND EXPENSE.Expenses $22,434,364 · revenue $44,721
- THIS CATEGORY REPRESENTS ETHNIC AND CULTURAL EVENTS, MUSIC CONCERTS AND OTHER EVENTS INCLUDING WALKS/RUNS FOR CHARITY. TOTAL ATTENDANCE WAS 582,101 IN 2024.Expenses $12,010,466 · revenue $12,834,295
- THIS CATEGORY REPRESENTS CONSULTING, PRODUCTION, STAFFING AND MANAGEMENT SERVICES PROVIDED TO OTHER ENTITIES PRODUCING EVENTS.Expenses $3,326
What it must file and when
IRS records say it files Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N. Its accounting year ends in December, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.
| Tax year | Year ended | Due | IRS public records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | December 31, 2025 | May 15, 2026 | Not on file |
| 2024 | December 31, 2024 | May 15, 2025 | 990 on file |
| 2023 | December 31, 2023 | May 15, 2024 | 990 on file |
IRS record
- EIN
- 39-1049688
- Tax-exempt status
- 501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
- Foundation status
- Publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(A)(vi))
- Donations deductible (Pub 78)
- Public charity, 50% deduction limit
- Exempt since
- 1967
- Accounting year ends
- December
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Arts, culture and humanities (A680)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $94,078,881
- Income (IRS master file)
- $71,288,924
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | December 2024 | $69,991,931 | $75,671,919 | $94,078,881 | XML |
| 990-T | December 2024 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2023 | $75,418,252 | $76,687,189 | $110,150,946 | XML |
| 990-T | December 2023 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2022 | $58,785,504 | $68,081,233 | $116,347,276 | IRS |
| 990-T | December 2022 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990-T | December 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990-T | December 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2018 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2017 | – | – | – | IRS |
990-N: the IRS bulk file holds only the latest e-Postcard per organization; earlier years come from archived copies of that file since 2020 and can have gaps (the IRS e-Postcard search lists every one). 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-T: every e-filed return in the IRS e-file index since 2019; XML for the latest three processing years, amounts from the IRS Statistics of Income extracts before that. PDF copies and determination letters at the IRS (search EIN 39-1049688).
Questions about MILWAUKEE WORLD FESTIVAL INC
- What is the EIN of MILWAUKEE WORLD FESTIVAL INC?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of MILWAUKEE WORLD FESTIVAL INC is 39-1049688.
- Is MILWAUKEE WORLD FESTIVAL INC tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1967.
- Are donations to MILWAUKEE WORLD FESTIVAL INC tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does MILWAUKEE WORLD FESTIVAL INC file?
- Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N.
- When is the next return of MILWAUKEE WORLD FESTIVAL INC due?
- The return for tax year 2025 (the year ending December 31, 2025) is due May 15, 2026. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
- When did MILWAUKEE WORLD FESTIVAL INC last file with the IRS?
- The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended December 2024.
- Who is the principal officer of MILWAUKEE WORLD FESTIVAL INC?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024 names SARAH PANCHERI.
- Who are the officers and directors of MILWAUKEE WORLD FESTIVAL INC?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024 lists 39 people; 12 received compensation from the organization, the highest $428,000 (SARAH PANCHERI, PRESIDENT & CEO (NON VOTING)).
- How much revenue does MILWAUKEE WORLD FESTIVAL INC have?
- On its 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024 it reported revenue of $69,991,931, expenses of $75,671,919 and total assets of $94,078,881 at year end.
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