Sean C. Morgan
The 2011 Oregon Jamboree lost $26,710, according to tax documents released by the Sweet Home Economic Development Group in response to requests from The New Era.
SHEDG filed its 2011 IRS Form 990 in November. The New Era obtained a copy last week through a public records request to SHEDG. The IRS requires nonprofit organizations to file a Form 990 each year.
SHEDG officials have been reluctant to publicly discuss the organization’s financial situation, which includes losses for the Oregon Jamboree the past two years. The New Era has made requests for public records regarding the organization’s financial status, as it has for other local non-profits, but due to extensions granted by the IRS, the 2011 information has only recently become available.
On the strength of a string of largely successful events over the past decade, SHEDG reported in January that the Jamboree provided directly or indirectly more than $255,000 to the community in 2011, including economic development, School District 55, service organizations, the Sweet Home Active Revitalization Effort, athletics, high school programs and clubs, the city, churches and the Sweet Home Community Foundation.
But according to tax records, the Jamboree lost about $98,000 on the 2010 event, which featured Keith Urban. That was the year the event expanded across Weddle Bridge into Sankey Park. Ticket sales were also down from 2009, the last year the Jamboree showed a profit. Officials have remained tight-lipped regarding the reasons for those those losses.
In 2008, the Jamboree had a net profit of about $291,000. In 2009, the festival made about $190,000. SHEDG has not released its net profit or loss for the 2012 event, which featured Rascal Flatts and drew what organizers said was one of the largest crowds in the history of the festival.
SHEDG leaders have been forthright about the effect competition from the Willamette Country Music Festival, which began in 2008 in Brownsville, and now is held two weeks following the Jamboree, has had on the Sweet Home festival.
“Given the competitive environment, we’ve had to step up and spend more on talent and marketing for the Jamboree,” said SHEDG President Kevin Strong in a statement with the release of the Form 990. “Meanwhile, we have spent down some of our retained earnings from past years so our community can continue to have an economic development director, funds for the Sweet Home Active Revitalization Effort and contributions to help support nonprofit organizations and youth activities.
“Looking ahead, we expect that the Jamboree can continue to support itself while helping local businesses by bringing thousands of people to our community every summer.
“However, the Jamboree alone will not be able to support the community to the extent it has over the past decade, given the competitive environment it is facing. That’s why we are considering other events that, if successful, will allow us to help support our community while bringing people to Sweet Home to enjoy great entertainment and shop at local businesses.
“We appreciate the community’s support.”
SHEDG board members and staff are planning a new music festival, to be held the weekend before next summer’s Jamboree, which is scheduled for Aug. 2-4, featuring indie and alternative artists. The new festival would use some of the same resources as the Jamboree, such as staging, to help hold costs down.
SHEDG created the Oregon Jamboree in 1992, and the event celebrated its 20th anniversary this year. Some 650 to 700 volunteers help SHEDG operate the Jamboree each year. Proceeds from the Jamboree, a three-day camping and country music festival, are used for local economic development and to help local charitable and community organizations.
The 2013 Jamboree features headliners Dwight Yoakam, Toby Keith and Luke Bryan.
For more information, to volunteer or purchase tickets, call the Jamboree at (541) 367-8800.