REFLECTIONS ON CELEBRATING 50 LEAF FESTIVALS

"LEAF is the place you go when home calls." -Navé,

Poet & LEAF Slammaster

"After all these years, I am synonymous with Brookside & Contra Dance. LEAF is my home away from home. Enter the grounds and venture into the worlds of music, dancing, fun, foods, and beautiful people "

-Mike Compton, LEAF #1 Compass Advisor

"LEAF is CONNECTION. In 1995, we imagined an experience for people of all ages to gather together at beautiful Lake Eden to explore multi-cultural music, dance, food, art, poetry, healing arts, and learning opportunities that would enhance our relationships to ourselves, our community, and our world. I feel honored to be a part of creating such an event that has brought so much joy, learning, understanding, inclusion, and togetherness to people from all over the world. LEAF allows us to reassess our priorities as we bring our transformational experiences with us to create a better world. WITH 50+ FESTIVALS OF LEAF LOVE."

-Kelly Hanson, Founding Vendor Director & Board Emeritus

"LEAF is a GIFT of AMAZING PEOPLE & Culture from our local community to across the globe! LEAF reminds me to dance, play, be curious, be kind, keep learning & unlearning! I am GRATEFUL!" -Jennifer

Pickering, Executive Director

"LEAF has enriched my life. I have formed lasting friendships with people from around the world. I feel like I am a better person because of ALL my LEAF experiences and I will be forever grateful." -Dianne

Prohn, Waterfront & LEAF International Ambassador

"LEAF is my family reunion!"

-Barbara Rogers, Gate Queen

"We moved to AVL in '95, just in time to attend this new festival called LEAF. Since then, babies were born and raised, new friends made and old friends lost. Through the years, LEAF has been a touchstone in our lives. LEAF is a thriving community of beautiful souls who share a love of cultural learning and experience. Long Live LEAF!"

-James Fisher, Board President Emeritus

"I ponder my 27 years here, and think about enrichment, healing, artistic growth. I remember the people, music, children, love, and friendship. I marvel at how the most peaceful, coolest little town exists for a weekend and people leave fulfilled. Lake Eden is a magical place. The Roots are strong."

-Dan Johnston, Stage & Production Staff

"LEAF is, and has been, the touchstone for my family and community since its conception. We all authorize ourselves to disconnect from our daily lives and tune into the healing vibes that LEAF stewards. I know the hearts of my community's children because of LEAF. Thank you for your years of careful soulful stewardship."

-Jarod

Brown,

LEAFer with his Son Jadon Since LEAF Day 1

"LEAF through the years was the place where my children experienced an unprecedented level of safe freedom to be completely their unique selves and independent, and developed a level of global awareness and appreciation that has informed their life paths ever since childhood. I know without a doubt that we are all better global citizens, thanks to LEAF!" -Denise Mills, Staff on Many Teams & with Daughter Michelle Since LEAF Day 1

"LEAF is a place to connect with friends, to learn about other cultures, to meet people from other countries, and to be part of a larger community while listening to great music and enjoying yummy food."

-Sherry Griffith, Waterfront & LEAF International Ambassador

LEAF Global Arts is dedicated to excellence in our mission, maximizing giving impact, equity, financial oversight, process, governance, and transparency. Financial Statement Overviews are available by request to Development@theLEAF.org

I N S I G H T S

In 2022 the LEAF Global Arts organization made great strides in strengthening its foundations for the future. Bringing the core Retreat & Festival events up to capacity provided for organizational overhead. Amazing support in the form of memberships, sponsorships, grants, donations, and federal recovery funding allowed LEAF to continue providing quality programming in our community and beyond. Strategic use of funds meant the organization was able to pay down its debt while bolstering much-needed reserves to ensure LEAF can weather future changes in the financial climate. We were GRATEFUL to finally be able to host and celebrate our 50th Festival, which helped us to make a big leap in redeeming 2020 credits and reengaging our core community.

We continue to hold Extraordinary Gratitude for Explore Asheville BCTDA, Bank of America Foundation leaders, and our founding partners who take immense time and care to build relationships that BUILD COMMUNITY. Their gifts brought LEAF Global Arts Center to life with a vision to be transformational for our community. Three years of constant flexing, reimagining, and holding a vision has been possible due to the foundation that was supported by our partners. We are dedicated to continue forging the path forward.

LEAF extends deep gratitude for the generous support of businesses investing in our communities by supporting LEAF’s mission and work. Funding sponsor partners are essential. Since 2020, we have worked hard to shift from event-based relationships to annual partners. This change in perspective is disrupting traditionally held paths, and we are so grateful for those who pivoted with us! LEAF is at work on our mission year around.

In 2022, grants continued to be a lifeline to our mission work. We are grateful to these organizations for their vital support in grants received in 2022: National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), City of Asheville, Buncombe County, Explore Asheville, NC Arts Council, Arts AVL, South Arts, Chorus America, Jason Mraz Foundation, Beattie Foundation, & more. We continue our journey of recovering from the pandemic and rebuilding our resources but feel grounded thanks to many opportunities, and we are grateful YOU are with us to look toward the future. Each of these precious giving pathways is vital. Thank YOU!

LEAF Love & Gratitude!

Heather Deifell Community Development + Grants Director

The purpose of the Fund is to support LEAF Schools & Streets and LEAF International cultural arts programs with the priorities: positive youth development, partnering to build stronger local communities, helping preserve global traditions, and connecting cultures Fund is managed by CFWNC

Membership has been the key to keeping LEAF's essential mission-driven programs thriving, and it's the way we enrich our connection. Membership enabled us to say to our Culture Keepers and Teaching Artists “YOU are supported. Your culture, youths, and you are important. LEAF is here for YOU!"