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Supervisor Belsky reports Kemper Center fundraisers, Penny Roth Foundation grant to cover leadership and curator positions
Summary
Supervisor Belsky told the Kenosha County Board that recent Kemper Center fundraisers drew strong attendance and that the Penny Roth Foundation will fully fund a leadership salary and a curator role; she also described an in-kind $120,000 marketing donation and a part-time bookkeeping opening.
Supervisor Belsky provided the Kenosha County Board with a monthly update on the Kemper Center, reporting successful fundraising and staffing developments as the organization pursues accreditation.
Belsky said a recent Frank Sinatra tribute event drew a large crowd and "huge sponsorship from Johnson Bank, and from Spectrum," and that the event included a VIP tent to raise money. She told the board she was surprised by the turnout: "Couldn't believe the amount of people there. Couldn't believe it. It was unreal."
The board was told the Penny Roth Foundation has committed grants that will fully fund what had been the executive director role — the board has retitled that position to "president" — and will also fund a curator position. Belsky said the funded salary range for the president role will be between $100,000 and $130,000 and that those amounts are paid entirely by the Penny Roth Foundation.
Belsky also noted an in-kind marketing donation of $120,000 from Gary Gronke's organization; she said the donation covers marketing pieces and website work and that the Kemper Center is accounting for the in-kind contribution so it can be reported in finance records. She added the Kemper Center is seeking a part-time bookkeeper (about 20 hours per week) and new board members; currently the board has 12 members, most of whom are newly appointed.
Why it matters: the outside funding and in-kind support affect the Kemper Center's staffing and operations and support the organization's push for accreditation, which could change programming and partnerships at the county-managed cultural facility.
Belsky said the Kemper Center's board chair will meet monthly with County Executive Samantha (last name not specified in transcript) and with the county chairman to coordinate. She invited board members to suggest topics for future Kemper Center updates.
The update was delivered during the board's supervisor reports and drew no formal action.
