Lack of sponsorships affecting Milwaukee cultural festivals

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Some ethnic festivals in Milwaukee have felt the brunt of the loss of sponsorships, the blame being put on the pandemic and the current state of the economy.

Jeff Kuderski, executive director of Polish Fest, said his team is about 40% down in sponsorships this year putting them in a position to cut their budget.

"A lot of our corporate sponsors have not come through for us this year and some have decided not to do it," said Kuderski.

Kuderski said they've had to switch and let go of certain things in their budget which included rethinking advertisement strategy and switching to canned beers rather than draft.

Another cultural celebration feeling the brunt of this challenge, Mexican Fiesta.

"We've experienced some challenges in funding especially in the health care industry. Sponsors that were coming in a specific level in the past years due to the pandemic we see that they are cutting budget," said Teresa Mercado, executive director of Mexican Fiesta.

Mercado said healthcare made up 30% of the overall sponsorship fund, which has now been cut by half.

This sponsorship cut affecting the Wisconsin Hispanic Scholarship Fund.

"Without a doubt it’s a challenge not having that support from the sponsors," said Mercado.

Sand Winard, soon-to-be executive director of Festa Italiana, said her team has also faced this challenge.

"We operated at a loss last year because we did not have the level sponsorships that we had budgeted for, that we have planned for, that we had counted on," said Winard.

In result, Festa Italiana had to be held at the Italian Community Center. It was once held at the Summerfest grounds.

All three said the pandemic contributed to the lack of sponsorships this year around, and also point to the current state of the economy.

They say they will continue to support each other despite these adversities.