Ravinia Gives More Than $1 Million to Highland Park

Ravinia Festival has contributed more than $1 million to the city of Highland Park this year.

The non-profit music and education institution that has been one the Chicago area’s most popular concert venues for years, contributed a total of $1,012,038 to the city this year, which equates to 5 percent of the gross ticket sales from what officials have called a “successful” 2015 festival season.

“Ravinia is proud of its relationship with our wonderful hometown and with the many supporters of the arts who also call Highland Park home,” said Ravinia President and CEO Welz Kauffman. “The live music business has grown ever more challenging with fierce competition for entertainers and audiences, higher artist fees, declining support for classical music, and changing demographics and musical tastes. Ravinia’s and Highland Park’s fates and fortunes are bound. When Ravinia does well, Highland Park does well.”

This year is the seventh of a 10-year revenue-sharing agreement the festival has with the city. Over the seven years, about $6.2 million has been turned over to the city.

“Ravinia exemplifies what it means to be a good neighbor,” said Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering. “In addition to this annual contribution to the City, the not-for-profit invests and partners with the City to improve the quality of life and increase the vibrancy of our community for residents and visitors. Ravinia is more than a community asset; it’s a community cornerstone.”

While most of Ravinia’s annual contribution goes to the city’s general fund, Highland Park turns over about a third of the Ravinia donation to the not-for-profit YEA! Highland Park, which distributes funds raised at Ravinia to organizations supporting youth, education, arts, and social programs in the community.

Ravinia also donates an additional $14,000 in concert tickets and waives all rental fees for the annual YEA! benefit.