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Nonprofiteer
← MILWAUKEE WORLD FESTIVAL INC

Form 990 for tax year 2024

Filed by MILWAUKEE WORLD FESTIVAL INC.

This return was superseded by a later amendment. matched by us It is kept because history is preserved rather than replaced.

What the amendment changed

Compared with the latest return for 2024 , filed 19 December 2025. matched by us Only the return's totals, a 990-PF's accounting method and the names listed in Part VII (Part VIII on a 990-PF) are compared. We relate returns by organization, tax year and form, and order them by each return's own timestamp; the filer's own "amended return" checkbox is a separate fact.

Listed under a different title

  • Don Smiley: CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER - NON VOTING then IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT/CEO (NV)
  • Sarah Pancheri: PRESIDENT - NON VOTING then PRESIDENT & CEO (NON VOTING)

Totals

Total revenue
$69,991,931
Total expenses
$75,671,919
Contributions and grants received
$13,737,346
Grants paid
$0
Program service revenue
$52,184,136
Investment income
$749,336
Other revenue
$3,321,113
Total assets, end of year
$94,078,881
Total liabilities, end of year
$74,263,018
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
$19,815,863
Program services expenses (Part IX)
$68,119,380
Management and general expenses
$6,606,009
Fundraising expenses
$946,530
Program service expenses (Part III)
$68,119,380

Program services were 90.0% of total expenses calculated — Part IX's program-services column over total expenses, both as filed.

Line items

Every line the filer filed in Parts VIII, IX and X, as filed and in filed order. Blank columns are left out, and the lines are not forced to add up to the totals above.

Revenue

Part VIII, the statement of revenue.

  • 1c · Fundraising events

    $105,000

  • 1e · Government grants (contributions)

    $253,560

  • 1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants

    $13,378,786

  • 1g · Noncash contributions included above

    $60,245

  • 2a · Program service revenue: FESTIVALS & OTHER EVENTS

    total $50,129,514 · related or exempt $48,312,687 · unrelated business $1,816,827

  • 2b · Program service revenue: PARKING REVENUE

    total $1,592,254 · excluded $1,592,254

  • 2c · Program service revenue: GIFT AND SOUVENIOR SALES

    total $439,413 · related or exempt $1,275 · unrelated business $438,138

  • 2d · Program service revenue: CONSULTING & SIGNS SERVICES

    total $15,000 · unrelated business $15,000

  • 2f · All other program service revenue

    total $7,955 · related or exempt $7,955

  • 3 · Investment income

    total $749,336 · excluded $749,336

  • 5 · Royalties

    total $319,737 · excluded $319,737

  • 6a · Gross rents

    real property $3,863,860 · personal property $26,778

  • 6b · Less rental expenses

    real property $918,630 · personal property $0

  • 6c · Rental income or loss

    real property $2,945,230 · personal property $26,778

  • 6d · Net rental income or loss

    total $2,972,008 · related or exempt $703,905 · unrelated business $1,403,741 · excluded $864,362

  • 8a · Fundraising events: gross income

    $362,731

  • 8a · Fundraising events: contributions included on line 1c

    $105,000

  • 8b · Fundraising events: direct expenses

    $378,363

  • 8c · Net income from fundraising events

    total -$15,632 · excluded -$15,632

  • 11a · Other revenue: ADVERTISING REVENUE

    total $45,000 · unrelated business $45,000

  • 11e · Other revenue, total

    $45,000

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

  • 5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees

    total $2,093,660 · program services $1,042,084 · management and general $583,384 · fundraising $468,192

  • 7 · Other salaries and wages

    total $8,092,646 · program services $6,998,704 · management and general $687,883 · fundraising $406,059

  • 8 · Pension plan contributions

    total $160,627 · program services $116,440 · management and general $44,187

  • 9 · Other employee benefits

    total $578,182 · program services $26,353 · management and general $551,829

  • 10 · Payroll taxes

    total $1,179,112 · program services $739,953 · management and general $439,159

  • 11b · Fees: legal

    total $188,522 · management and general $188,522

  • 11c · Fees: accounting

    total $42,200 · management and general $42,200

  • 11g · Fees: other

    total $3,764,359 · program services $3,520,825 · management and general $243,534

  • 12 · Advertising and promotion

    total $2,940,300 · program services $2,835,971 · management and general $34,698 · fundraising $69,631

  • 13 · Office expenses

    total $1,023,773 · program services $133,281 · management and general $890,492

  • 14 · Information technology

    total $201,373 · management and general $201,373

  • 16 · Occupancy

    total $2,690,676 · program services $1,729,842 · management and general $960,834

  • 19 · Conferences, conventions and meetings

    total $58,043 · program services $6,193 · management and general $51,850

  • 20 · Interest

    total $1,391,317 · program services $1,391,317

  • 22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    total $11,564,776 · program services $11,080,376 · management and general $484,400

  • 23 · Insurance

    total $1,104,155 · program services $32,044 · management and general $1,072,111

  • 24a · Other expenses: ENTERTAINER AND PRODUCT

    total $28,863,674 · program services $28,863,674

  • 24b · Other expenses: FESTIVAL EXPENSES

    total $4,932,296 · program services $4,929,648 · fundraising $2,648

  • 24c · Other expenses: EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES

    total $3,543,863 · program services $3,451,532 · management and general $92,331

  • 24d · Other expenses: SITE STAGING AND SUPPLI

    total $589,213 · program services $589,213

  • 24e · All other expenses

    total $669,152 · program services $631,930 · management and general $37,222

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

  • 1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing

    beginning of year $430,499 · end of year $709,367

  • 2 · Savings and temporary cash investments

    beginning of year $5,148,067 · end of year $6,019,874

  • 3 · Pledges and grants receivable

    beginning of year $940,220 · end of year $452,987

  • 4 · Accounts receivable

    beginning of year $1,237,599 · end of year $1,073,652

  • 8 · Inventories for sale or use

    beginning of year $265,000 · end of year $199,402

  • 9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges

    beginning of year $438,612 · end of year $318,663

  • 10a · Land, buildings and equipment: cost or other basis

    $194,176,588

  • 10b · Land, buildings and equipment: accumulated depreciation

    $128,517,682

  • 10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net

    beginning of year $73,281,581 · end of year $65,658,906

  • 11 · Investments: publicly traded securities

    beginning of year $15,100,000 · end of year $9,000,000

  • 15 · Other assets

    beginning of year $13,309,368 · end of year $10,646,030

  • 17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    beginning of year $1,556,146 · end of year $2,000,209

  • 19 · Deferred revenue

    beginning of year $33,587,942 · end of year $27,561,439

  • 20 · Tax-exempt bond liabilities

    beginning of year $15,674,723 · end of year $15,680,675

  • 23 · Secured mortgages and notes payable

    beginning of year $18,519,766 · end of year $16,187,567

  • 25 · Other liabilities

    beginning of year $15,490,617 · end of year $12,833,128

  • 27 · Net assets without donor restrictions

    beginning of year $25,321,752 · end of year $19,815,863

Mission and programs · 2024

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.

Activities or mission (Part I)

THE MISSION OF MILWAUKEE WORLD FESTIVAL, INC. IS TO PROMOTE AN UNDERSTANDING OF DIFFERENT ETHNIC CULTURES, THE HISTORIES AND TRADITIONS OF VARIOUS NATIONALITIES, HARMONY IN THE COMMUNITY, CIVIC PRIDE AND PROVIDE A SHOWCASE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS, ACTIVITIES AND RECREATION FOR THE PUBLIC AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITES FOR THE YOUTH OF THE COMMUNITY.

  • 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

As filed on the 2024 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.

Listed in Part VII

  • Mary Ellen Stanek

    CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.4

  • Ted Kellner

    FIRST VICE PRESIDENT

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.4

  • Cory Nettles

    SECOND VICE PRESIDENT

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.4

  • Joanne Anton

    AT-LARGE BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.4

  • Joanne Bischmann

    AT-LARGE BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.4

  • Gabrielle Finley-Hazle

    AT-LARGE BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.4

  • Dana Guthrie

    AT-LARGE BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.4

  • Chuck Harvey

    AT-LARGE BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.4

  • Dan Minahan

    AT-LARGE BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.4

  • Jack Salzwedel

    AT-LARGE BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.4

  • Tim Sheehy

    AT-LARGE BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.4

  • Mike White

    AT-LARGE BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.4

  • Peggy Williams-Smith

    AT-LARGE BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.4

  • Anne Zizzo

    AT-LARGE BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.4

  • Molly Modlinski

    UNITED ETHNIC FESTIVALS REP.

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.4

  • Eric Radue

    UNITED ETHNIC FESTIVALS REP.

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.4

  • Luke Olson

    UNITED ETHNIC FESTIVALS REP.

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.4

  • Joan Prince

    CITIZEN DESIGNEE BY MAYOR OF MILWAUKEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.4

  • Andy Nunemaker

    CITIZEN DESIGNEE BY MILWAUKEE COUNTY EXECUTIVE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.4

  • Michael Maistelman

    CITIZEN DESIGNEE BY MILWAUKEE COMMON COUNCIL (THRU

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.4

  • Jeff Musa

    CITIZEN DESIGNEE BY MILWAUKEE COMMON COUNCIL

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.4

  • Jim Wright

    DESIGNATED BY MOLSON COORS BEVERAGE COMPANY

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.4

  • Aaron Jagdfeld

    DESIGNATED BY GENERAC POWER SYSTEMS, INC.

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.4

  • Jud Snyder

    DESIGNATED BY BMO HARRIS BANK, NA

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.4

  • Sarah Pancheri

    PRESIDENT - NON VOTING

    Total calculated
    $462,058
    From this org
    $428,000
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $34,058
    Hours/week
    45

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $400,000
    Bonus
    $28,000
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $21,400
    Nontaxable benefits
    $12,658
    Filer's total
    $462,058

  • Don Smiley

    CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER - NON VOTING

    Total calculated
    $424,681
    From this org
    $379,583
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $45,098
    Hours/week
    45

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $245,175
    Bonus
    $90,700
    Other
    $43,708
    Deferred
    $18,979
    Nontaxable benefits
    $26,119
    Filer's total
    $424,681

  • Paul Sweeney

    TREASURER - NON VOTING

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.4

  • Greg Wesley

    SECRETARY - NON VOTING

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.4

  • Howard Sosoff

    CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD EMERITUS - NON VOTING

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.4

  • Zach Hasenstein

    VICE PRESIDENT/CFO

    Total calculated
    $268,126
    From this org
    $228,915
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $39,211
    Hours/week
    45

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $213,915
    Bonus
    $15,000
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $11,446
    Nontaxable benefits
    $27,765
    Filer's total
    $268,126

  • Gaye Littell

    VP/EXECUTIVE PRODUCER

    Total calculated
    $221,176
    From this org
    $198,471
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $22,705
    Hours/week
    45

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $187,271
    Bonus
    $11,200
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $9,924
    Nontaxable benefits
    $12,781
    Filer's total
    $221,176

  • Jason Stuewe

    VP PLANNING/DEVELOPMENT

    Total calculated
    $233,037
    From this org
    $202,818
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $30,219
    Hours/week
    45

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $189,518
    Bonus
    $13,300
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $10,141
    Nontaxable benefits
    $20,078
    Filer's total
    $233,037

  • Scott Ziel

    VP OF ENTERTAINMENT

    Total calculated
    $224,840
    From this org
    $183,900
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $40,940
    Hours/week
    45

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $176,800
    Bonus
    $7,100
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $9,195
    Nontaxable benefits
    $31,745
    Filer's total
    $224,840

  • Kevin Canady

    VP SALES & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

    Total calculated
    $217,316
    From this org
    $204,665
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $12,651
    Hours/week
    45

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $164,179
    Bonus
    $40,486
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $10,233
    Nontaxable benefits
    $2,418
    Filer's total
    $217,316

  • Shawn Watkins

    INFRASTRUCTURE ENGINEER MANAGER

    Total calculated
    $168,110
    From this org
    $142,637
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $25,473
    Hours/week
    45

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $133,337
    Bonus
    $9,300
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $7,132
    Nontaxable benefits
    $18,341
    Filer's total
    $168,110

  • Lena Deleat

    SALES DIRECTOR-SPONSORSHIPS/EVENT DIRECTOR-SF TECH

    Total calculated
    $166,924
    From this org
    $148,615
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $18,309
    Hours/week
    45

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $120,791
    Bonus
    $27,824
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $7,431
    Nontaxable benefits
    $10,878
    Filer's total
    $166,924

  • Derrick Harris

    DIRECTOR OF SECURITY

    Total calculated
    $151,532
    From this org
    $142,064
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $9,468
    Hours/week
    45

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $132,764
    Bonus
    $9,300
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $7,103
    Nontaxable benefits
    $2,365
    Filer's total
    $151,532

  • Nick Volz

    SOFTWARE ENGINEERING MANAGER

    Total calculated
    $150,640
    From this org
    $126,652
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $23,988
    Hours/week
    45

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $119,452
    Bonus
    $7,200
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $6,333
    Nontaxable benefits
    $17,655
    Filer's total
    $150,640

  • Jerrod Woods

    SENIOR DIRECTOR OF MARKETING

    Total calculated
    $144,861
    From this org
    $122,325
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $22,536
    Hours/week
    45

Compensation is as filed in Part VII: reportable pay from this organization and from related organizations, other compensation, and hours per week. The total, marked calculated, is our sum of the three dollar columns, with a blank column counted as $0; the form itself has no total. On a Form 990-EZ the columns are Part IV's instead, and on a Form 990-PF Part VIII's — compensation, contributions to benefit plans, and expense account — and the total sums those. A Schedule J breakdown is as filed: base pay, bonus, other, deferred compensation and nontaxable benefits from this organization, with any from related organizations beside each, and the filer's own total. It is shown with the Part VII listing of the same name on the same return. The form gives no key between the two, so that pairing is ours, and is marked matched by us.

Schedule J

Answered yes

  • 1a · Health or social club dues or initiation fees
  • 1b · Written policy on the line-1a expenses
  • 2 · Substantiation required before reimbursing expenses
  • 3 · Compensation committee
  • 3 · Independent compensation consultant
  • 3 · Compensation survey or study
  • 3 · Approval by the board or compensation committee
  • 7 · Other non-fixed payments

Answered no

  • 4a · Severance or change-of-control payment
  • 4b · Supplemental nonqualified retirement plan
  • 4c · Equity-based compensation arrangement
  • 5a · Pay contingent on this organization's revenues
  • 5b · Pay contingent on a related organization's revenues
  • 6a · Pay contingent on this organization's net earnings
  • 6b · Pay contingent on a related organization's net earnings
  • 8 · Paid under the initial-contract exception

The filer's explanations (Part III)

PART I, LINE 1A
THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE ORGANIZATION RECEIVES TWO MEMBERSHIPS TO CLUBS. THE PERSONAL USE OF THE CLUBS IS REPORTED AS TAXABLE COMPENSATION. THE COST OF THE BENEFIT TO THE ORGANIZATION IS $45,039.
PART I, LINE 7
ALL BONUS PAYMENTS AND COMMISSIONS ARE CONSIDERED FIXED. BONUSES ARE SET AS A PERCENTAGE OF COMPENSATION BASED ON AN INDIVIDUAL'S PERFORMANCE RATINGS AND COMPANY MEETING BUDGET. COMMISSIONS ARE A FIXED AMOUNT PAID BASED ON INCREMENTAL REVENUE.

Part I's answers as filed. A line not listed was left unanswered; on lines 1a and 3 that means the box was not checked.

Grants on this return

No itemized grants to organizations on this return.

Taxable family on this return

Schedule R Parts I, III and IV, as filed. These record ownership and control, not shared board members or money moved.

Disregarded entities

Part I: entities that legally are the filer and file no return of their own.

  • MWF LLC

    SEE PART VII · WI · income $11,660,059 · assets $258,904

    Directly controlled by MILWAUKEE WORLD FESTIVAL INC

Provenance

Return type
form_990
Tax year
2024
Filed
11 November 2025
IRS schema version
2024v5.2
Source object
202523159349302367

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