Leather Archives & Museum financial statements show a successful 2011 and trim 2012

The Leather Archives & Museum has released its operating budget for the 2012 fiscal year and an unaudited preliminary 2011 financial statement, both of which reveal lean budgets with low overhead costs and optimal programming outlays.

2012 Operating Budget
The $165,000 2012 budget will be used to create new exhibitions, digitize existing materials, make new collections available, outreach to the academic community and maintain the institution’s 10,000 square foot building in Chicago. The organization will raise these operating funds with an aggressive annual campaign that focuses on increasing individual support from the kink and fetish community along with foundation support.

2011 Financial Results
In its unaudited preliminary financial statements, the LA&M reported $183,000 in operating income and $186,000 in operating expenses. The statements show that 89 cents of every dollar raised was used for programs and services that advance the work and mission of the organization. Program expenses totaling $166,000 were used for significant programs like the opening of “A Room of Her Own”, the first exhibition of the Women’s Leather History Project, the launch of a new traveling exhibition “The Art of Drummer”, the acquisition of Fakir Musafar’s photography and film collection and digitization of approximately 150 films from VHS to DVD format. Overhead costs of 11% or $20,000 were used for fundraising and management expenses.

“The financial record shows that 2011 was a very good year for the LA&M”, said Treasurer Randall Klett.” More than 225 individuals and 30 organizations provided the support necessary to maintain the archives and museum and operate our programs and services. We are grateful to all of our supporters for their continued support through 2012.”