SCFD Infrastructure

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SCFD Infrastructure
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Goals
The Scientific Cultural Facilities District was
renewed by voters for 12 years beginning in 2006.
The goal is to

• Maintain investment in the metro areas
  scientific and cultural treasures
• Continue to provide high-quality programs to
  children, families and residents
• Enhance access to culture and education for all
  residents, especially underserved audiences
• Strengthen tourism, economic impact and
  employment benefits derived from cultural
  programming and exhibits

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History

• SCFD created in 1988 by voters to help fund
  financially struggling regional and local
  scientific and cultural organizations
• Over 38 million per year distributed to more
  than 300 organizations, from Denver Zoo, Museum
  of Nature Science and Denver Center for the
  Performing Arts to local organizations in all
  metro counties
• One-tenth of a cent (penny on 10) sales tax
  collected in the seven-county Denver metro area
• SCFD passed Colorado Legislature and among metro
  voters in 1988. Legislators again approved the
  statute in 1994 voters renewed it for 10 years.
• In 2004, 66 percent of all voters approved the
  SCFD sales tax election for another 14 years.
• Sunsets again in 2018.

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The 2004 Election Favorability Rating
Voters highest rating of favorability for
culture, sports and politicians
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The 2004 Election Reasons for Voter Support
Opposition
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The 2004 Election General Observations

• Reputation of SCFD, organizations and the process
  of adjusting the statute essential for election
  success (cultural interest groups compromised and
  unified)
• Bipartisan, professional management and cultural
  leadership, major fundraising (1.5 million)
• Requires considerable time. 2004 election effort
  started in Nov. 2001.
• SCFD is now a civic institution. 66 victory.
• Regional entity. Victory in all seven counties.
  Expanded to follow the housing patterns.
• Record 2004 presidential turnout. Also, has won
  in low turnout (1994).
• 300 resolutions of support. All cities and
  chambers supported.

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Public Impact
A few of the SCFD benefits

• More than 11 million people visit SCFD-funded
  organizations a year
• Educational experience for 2 million/year school
  children (most attend free)
• Outreach to over 1 million/year underserved
  residents (disabled, elderly, families in
  poverty)
• More than 1 million people enrolled in paid and
  free cultural courses and 1 million became
  members or subscribers
• Volunteers provide critical expertise to cultural
  organizations. More than 41,000 people
  volunteered 1.9 million hours.
• More than 100 free days provided by the largest
  regional organizations

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Economic Impact
Cultural organizations and programming have major
impact on the regional economy

• Metro Denver culture generated more than 1.3
  billion in economic activity in 2003 driving
  497 million in new revenue to the metro Denver
  economy.
• Cultural organizations employed nearly 9,450
  people in 2003. Together, cultural institutions
  are the 6th largest non-government employer in
  the Denver area.
• More than 2.8 million out-of-town tourist
  generate 403 million. The Museum of Nature
  Science, Zoo and Art Museum are among top 10 paid
  attractions in metro area.

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Overview - The SCFD District
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• Has no tax authority
• System to distribute funds
• Rural, suburban, urban
• Local control
• Designed to be duplicated
• Generates national and international interest

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0.1 Sales and Use Tax

• Average per capita tax collectionequaled 14.92
  in 2004
• Less than two movie tickets and popcorn
• Less than a day of parking in many cities
• Equals 3 on a 30 meal for a family
• Equals 25 on a 25,000 auto purchase

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Current Distribution Structure
Comprised of three tiers and more than 300
organizations

• Regional Tier I5 major institutions

• Regional Tier II24 institutions, organizations

• Local Tier III287 local organizations

Total 38 million
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Regional Tier I

• By statute, receives 65.5 of funds
• Denver Museum of Nature Science
• Denver Art Museum
• Denver Zoo
• Denver Botanic Gardens
• Denver Center for the Performing Arts
• Annual reporting process
• Receives quarterly SCFD distributions
• Received direct state funds in past, supported by
  City and County of Denver

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Regional Tier II

• By statute, receives 21 of funds
• Annual qualification process
• At least five years in operation and existence
• Meet qualifying annual operating income of
  943,848
• Distribution received is proportionally based
  upon size of annual operating income and paid
  attendance
• Receives three SCFD distributions per year
• Seven organizations in 1989, 25 in 2004

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Local Tier III

• By statute, receives 13.5 of funds
• Distribution based upon proportionate amount
  collected by each county
• Annual application process to county
• Organizations need to be 501(c)(3) or agency of
  local government
• Organizations need to be operational and
  providing servicesfor at least 3 years
• Receives one SCFD distributions per year
• 120 organizations in 1989, nearly 300 in in 2004
• Approximately 85 - 95 of all requests are
  approved

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Formula and Discretionary Funds

• Formula Funds equal 95 of total
• Distributed to regional organizations based on
  formula
• Unrestricted in use, organizations have autonomy
• Organizations report on use of funds (no
  application)
• Discretionary Funds equal 5 of total
• Distributions at discretion of SCFD Board of
  Directors
• 5 for enhancement and innovation, regional
  impact, accessibility, quality, need and
  collaboration with other SCFD recipients
• Board determines application and reporting
  requirements

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Administration
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SCFD Staff

• Four paid positions responsible for fund
  administration and grant-making
• Support board and county cultural councils
• Liaison and support for regional organizations
• Education, support and outreach for local
  organizations
• Responsible for ongoing communications with
  general public and recipient organizations

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SCFD Board of Directors

• Volunteer commitment, 11 members
• One representative each, of seven counties,
  appointed by county commissioners or Denver City
  Council
• Four governor appointees
• Develops report and review requirements governing
  SCFD funds
• Determines timing of reauthorization process,
  language of ballot question

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County Cultural Councils

• Volunteer commitment
• Seven councils, one per county
• County commissioner appointments
• Represents county constituents
• Reviews local applications, allocates funds and
  reviews reports on fund use
• Attends site visits of recipient organizations

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Thank You