When you buy a ticket for a nonprofit fundraising event, have you ever wondered how much really goes to charity? WCPO pulled revenue and expense numbers from the tax returns of 53 Cincinnati nonprofits whose 133 events raised $27 million and cost $9.4 million to produce. That means 65 cents of every dollar went back to the nonprofit, on average. Here's how some well known events compared to that benchmark.
Zoofari
The Cincinnati Zoo's signature event raised $192,077 in 2014. After expenses, 66 cents of every dollar went back to the zoo. Photo by Leigh Taylor.
Celebrity Waiter Night
The Andy and Jordan Dalton Foundation raised $366,035 at the 2015 Celebrity Waiter event, keeping 69 cents of each dollar raised after expenses. Photo by Leigh Taylor.
Rubber Duck Regatta
The Freestore-Foodbank's annual "duck race" raised $1.2 million in 2015 and 82 cents of each dollar went back to the hunger-fighting nonprofit. Photo by Jessica Noll.
Cincinnati Walks for Kids
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center received $691,416, or 80 cents of every dollar raised, from its annual pledge walk in September 2014.
Marvin Lewis Golf CLassic
The Cincinnati Bengals coach raised $442,657 at his annual golf tournament in 2015, bringing 64 cents of every dollar raised to the Marvin Lewis Community Fund.
Dancing for the Stars
The Cincinnati Arts Association reported $25,683 in expenses for its dance competition/fundraiser in 2015, netting a $77,847 profit. That's 75 cents of every dollar donated. Photo from CAA.