Nickelodeon News Spring 2013
Our 2013 annual report is online at The details of 2012 and 2011 spending are there, along with benchmarking to measure our performance against other small non profits.
2012s Nasty Surprise
Superstorm Sandy pointed out a problem we had suspected. The masonry walls allowed water to seep through to the interior in places, which damaged the interior paint and plaster. It came too late in 2012 for action, but we now have grants in hand and pending which will cover some of the cost of applying water repellant to the outside of the upper floors. We still need another $4,000 to cover the whole cost
Financial Situation Good News:
You will remember that the Peters Trust was closed, and thus our support from it has ended. Our members stepped up, and we
finished 2012 in the black. By limiting our discretionary spending we have brought our reserve fund to $37,208. This is below the desired level of one year’s budget, but is a good step forward. When we get an endowment established we will probably transfer some of this fund to get it started. The money donated for our endowment will be managed per applicable PA law, which basically means the principal will not be spent. After we raise enough money to properly fund this endowment it will go a long way towards guaranteeing our long term financial stability.
GuideStar is a non-profit evaluation organization that tells people if you are a full disclosure non-profit. After submitting a lot of data we have earned their seal of approval.
OIL REGION MUSIC PRESERVATION MUSEUM
(DeBence Antique Music World) is a GuideStar Exchange Member
Serving our Community
1) Our attendance for 2012 was 5% over the three year average, the best in the last 12 years
2) The Mini-Event program of free one hour presentations continued sponsored by the Rees trust, with 2012 attendance at 492, a new high.
3) We provided space for several local organization meetings, and free storage for materials owned by The Venango Chamber Orchestra, the Silver Cornet Band, & The Venango County Historical Society.
4) Our repair of antique music machines for the public was continued.
5) Our free 4th grade tours program continued this year, sponsored by the Justus Trust.
6) We offer low cost rental space for events or meetings in the third floor ballroom or the open area in the basement, and had 1l takers.
Progress With the Collections:
1) Ed Bottegal’s project of the 1925 French Playel baby grand piano with Auto Playela reproducing system has come a long way towards completion, but is not yet completed.
2) In 2012 we received 32 separate items ranging from reed organs to radios, all of which are suitable for use in our exhibits.
3).The Nelson Wiggen 4X nickelodeon had major repair work done
4) The Cremona C which we were given in 2011 is now being repaired. This will be one of our major projects for 2013.
Progress on Updating the Building:
1) With the help of a grant we were able to replace the rusted alley door and its frame in 2012.
2) A special donation from a member financed most of the cost of replacing the 1935 first floor electrical breaker panel.
3) Greg Chandler, a volunteer, corrected an installation error on each of the 32 replacement windows installed 10 years ago.
4) We moved the misplaced ceiling fan on the main floor to the center of the ballroom to help air circulation during events held there.
Memorial or Honor Donations
Since the last newsletter we have received donations in memory of David Bierback and Harry Yutzler. We also received donations in honor of many active supporters.
If you know anyone with a love of music machines you might consider honoring them in this way. The honoree gets a notice of your donation, you get a tax deduction, and we get some needed and appreciated funding.
For a person interested in mechanical music a prepaid admission or a membership would make a great gift.
Our Challenge
We have operated since 2005 with a volunteer Executive Director. In the long run we must increase income to a level allowing this to be a paid position. A properly funded endowment will allow attainment of this goal. While funding the endowment we must still raise operating income. We need your help in donating as much or more unrestricted funding than you have in the past so we can do both at the same time..
We invite those of you not now sustaining members to join us. Our ability to get grants depends in part on our membership support. A family membership only costs $50 per year. Just let us know and we will send the proper paperwork, or go online and download an application.
Please consider cutting off the bottom portion of this page, filling in the appropriate blanks, and returning your fully tax deductible donation in the enclosed envelope. Thank you for your past interest and we look forward to hearing from you. You may contribute via Visa or MasterCard if you prefer.
Yes, I’d like to help you out with the building renovation and instrument restorations.
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mail to DeBence Antique Music World, 1261 Liberty Street. Franklin, PA, 16323