Although local nonprofit organizations have lost money in recent years, Athens has kept them afloat.
Many Athens nonprofits suffered financially during the economic recession, but as the economy slowly recovers, so have some of the nonprofits. Others, however, are still feeling the effects.
For the Dairy Barn Arts Center, a nonprofit organization, expenses exceeded revenue from 2008–10, and each year, the organization lost increasing amounts of money. In 2008, the center lost $45,222; in 2009, it lost $62,148; and $89,320 in 2010, according to the organization’s 990 tax forms.
Although it might seem as though the center has had great financial loss, a portion of its expenses includes the depreciation of the Dairy Barn itself, said Jane Forrest Redfern, executive director of the organization.
“Because we own this large barn, and it is valued a great deal, every year you have to depreciate it,” Redfern said. “We also have office equipment that we purchase that goes into the depreciation, so it is not money loss, it’s just something you have to report on your taxes.”
Depreciation expenses accounted for $41,773 of the organization’s total expenses in 2010, according to the Dairy Barn Arts Center’s tax forms.
The Dairy Barn earns less revenue on even years, because one of the organization’s biggest exhibits — Quilt National — occurs on odd-numbered years, Redfern said.
In addition, nonprofit organizations were hurt financially in 2010 because individual people who might have otherwise donated were low on money.
“2010 was one of the worst years in history for the economy, so we did see a slump in donations,” Redfern said. “People can’t donate if they don’t have the extra money to give.”
Despite the Dairy Barn’s financial losses, Redfern said the organization is doing well with successful art auctions, a full roster of Art Camp participants and increases in both memberships and contributions in the past year.
“Sometimes you’re going to have losses, but you learn from that,” she said. “We’re blessed to have such a wonderful facility and so much community support. A lot of nonprofits don’t last as long as the Dairy Barn has.”
Community Food Initiatives, another nonprofit organization in Athens, lost $33,605 in 2010, according to its 990 forms. But in 2008 and 2009, the organization profited $8,393 and $23,600 respectively.
The food pantry has seen a higher demand for food and fewer donations because of the poor economy in recent years, said Mary Nally, executive director of the organization.
“One side effect of fluctuations in our economy is that it forces large corporations to be more efficient in how they're making food, which means they have less waste, which is what they donate to our food bank," Nally said. "Food pantries themselves have been struggling to get enough food for the people that need it."
The Last Chance Corral, which made more than $20,000 in 2010, has fought the hard economic times by tightening belts, innovation and sustainability, said Victoria Goss, president and founder of the organization.
“Everything (at Last Chance Corral) is recycled so I can cut down on expenses,” Goss said, adding that she takes donated equipment and restores and sells it to help fund the
organization.
“I hustle my butt off,” Goss said. “I think the biggest thing is that I’m so committed to this, that it really is my life. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
ls114509@ohiou.edu
