Where your donation goes at the Vernon Performing Arts Festival
Donors deserve to know where their money goes. This article walks through the Vernon Performing Arts Festival’s 2025 to 2026 budget, line by line.
The short version
The 2025 to 2026 festival runs on a budget of $32,270. Performer entry fees pay for most of it. Donations and sponsorships cover the rest, including the scholarships.
Every board member is a volunteer. The budget has no salaries.
The budget
| What it pays for | Amount | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Venues and event costs | $13,000 | 40% |
| Adjudicators (fees, travel, accommodation, and meals) | $9,200 | 29% |
| Scholarships | $4,000 | 12% |
| Registration, payment, and admin systems | $2,200 | 7% |
| Performing Arts BC membership | $1,900 | 6% |
| Insurance | $1,200 | 4% |
| Printing, certificates, stationery, and website | $770 | 2% |
| Total | $32,270 | 100% |
What each line means
Venues
The festival pays for performance spaces across Vernon, including churches, studios, and theaters. They host the classes and the Gala Awards Night. In 2027, Dance and the Gala are at the Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre.
Adjudicators
Expert adjudicators listen to every performance, write comments for every performer, and choose the award and scholarship winners. The $9,200 covers $4,500 in fees, $2,000 for travel, $2,000 for accommodation, and $700 for meals.
Scholarships
In 2026, the festival gave $4,000 in scholarships to 30 performers across Music and Dance. Every scholarship is funded by a donor, a sponsor, or general donations.
Registration and payment
This covers the online registration system, PayPal fees, and bank fees.
Performing Arts BC
Membership lets Vernon performers be recommended to the BC Provincial Festival.
Insurance
Directors and liability insurance protects the society and its volunteer board.
Printing and supplies
This covers certificates and seals, printing, stamps, stationery, small festival and Gala costs, and the website.
The goal
Our annual fundraising goal is $10,000. In 2026, 14 businesses, organizations, and community members sponsored the festival. You can see them all on our sponsors page.
Ways to give
Give any amount
Mail a cheque to:
Vernon Performing Arts Festival Society
4371 Painted Turtle Drive
Vernon, BC V1T 9W4
For an Interac e-transfer, email [email protected] and the treasurer will reply with the details.
Sponsor the festival
Businesses and families sponsor at five levels:
- Enthusiast: $25 to $199
- Bronze: $200 to $499
- Silver: $500 to $999
- Gold: $1,000 to $1,999
- Platinum: $2,000 and up.
Every level is recognized in the Music Festival Program and the Gala Program. Bronze and up adds a listing on our website and complimentary Gala tickets. Gold and Platinum sponsors get logo recognition as a major sponsor. The donate page lists every benefit.
Fund a scholarship
A $500 gift funds a discipline-level scholarship. A $1,000 gift sets up a named scholarship, with recognition at the Gala and on our website. Our article on how scholarships work explains how winners are chosen.
Give your time
Volunteers keep the festival running. The most needed roles are adjudicator secretary and greeter. Visit our volunteer page.
Our status
Vernon Performing Arts Festival Society is a BC Registered Non-Profit (Incorporation #S0081101). We are working toward CRA Charitable status. Donations are not currently tax-deductible.
Questions about a gift? Email [email protected]. Thank you for keeping young performers on stage.