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Leafford Village DDA approves headliner and supporting-act contracts, festival joins community foundation 501(c)(3)
Summary
The Leafford Village DDA on Feb. 20 authorized contracts and deposits for performers at the fourth annual Leafford Village Music Festival (Sept. 12) and heard that organizers will operate under a local community foundation 501(c)(3) to qualify for music grants the municipality cannot apply for.
The Leafford Village Downtown Development Authority voted Feb. 20 to approve performance contracts and deposits that secure a headliner and supporting acts for the fourth annual Leafford Village Music Festival, scheduled for Sept. 12.
Lauren Maris, of the festival planning committee, told the board the DDA has budgeted $10,000 for festival production and currently has about $21,000 in confirmed in‑house sponsorships and just under $27,000 promised. "Right now we're at about 27,000 and we have several big opportunities," Maris said, noting new sponsors and local contacts who are expected to provide additional support.
Maris asked the board to authorize a $1,500 fee (deposit $750) for a hometown set by Wayne Gerard Milton and a $1,200 fee (deposit $600) for a Brendan Lindley performance. Board members moved to approve both performance agreements and to authorize issuance of the deposits; the motions passed by voice vote.
Maris also updated the board on the festival’s organizational structure. After consulting attorneys about the costs and reporting obligations of forming a standalone 501(c)(3), festival organizers explored partnering with an existing nonprofit. "Shawana Watts is the chair of the community foundation and they do have a 501c3 and they have met with their board and they have voted yes to allow us onto their 501c3," Maris told the board, adding that the arrangement will make the festival eligible for grant programs (for example, the Levit Foundation’s music grants) that the city, as a municipal entity, cannot pursue.
Board members emphasized that all festival costs would be covered through sponsorships and existing DDA funds, noting the DDA had roughly $8,000 in unspent festival funds from the prior year. The board did not record any dissent during the voice votes.
Next steps: staff will execute the performance agreements and issue the authorized deposits; festival organizers will work with the community foundation to complete paperwork needed for fundraising and grant applications.
