2025-09-03T11:58:11-07:00 2024-12-31 990EZ 2024-01-01 811242752 BITTER JESTER FOUNDATION FOR THE ARTS NFP BITT 8474338662 PO Box 1824 Highland Park IL 600357824 Nicolas DeGrazia Vice President 8476510370 2025-08-30 1 2024 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z X www.BitterJesterFoundation.org X X 132561 X 71693 57635 0 3233 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 132561 0 0 0 37435 0 937 65838 104210 28351 94286 250 122887 X 50673 78238 0 0 44801 44974 95474 123212 1188 325 94286 122887 BJFA promotes the benefits of the arts to the public and fosters economic growth through original music and theatrical productions that unite diverse artists, audiences, and local businesses. BJFA's flagship music festival empowers youth at a critical time in their personal and artistic development by providing unparalleled educational, hands-on learning, and peer networking opportunities unavailable elsewhere. The Bitter Jester Music Festival empowers young performers, artists, and media students at a critical time in their artistic and professional development by providing unparalleled educational, hands-on learning, and peer networking opportunities. 150 performers, 50 volunteers, and 8,500+ audience members attend live concerts and productions between June and September. The music festival also assists other organizations and nonprofits with staging, talent, crew, and other arts-related services enjoyed by tens of thousands of others. 6400 21537 21537 Daniel Drake President 1 0 0 0 Nicolas DeGrazia Secretary, Treasurer, Vice President 30 0 0 0 Christy Knapp Director 4 0 0 0 Michael Tseitlin Director 4 0 0 0 Charles Turck Director 0.25 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 IL Nicolas DeGrazia PO Box 1824 Highland Park IL 600357824 8474338662 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 NONE NONE 1 X 10992 26289 104119 89631 71692 302723 0 0 0 57635 57635 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 10992 26289 104119 89631 129327 360358 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 360358 30 3233 3263 0 0 0 0 0 0 30 0 3233 3263 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 10992 26289 104149 89631 132560 363621 0.99103 0.99988 0.00897 0.00012 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED Form 990-EZ, Part I, Line 16 Description;Amount^Administrative;7463|Mobile Stage;26327|Advertising and Marketing;8397|Music Festival;21537|Development and Fundraising;35|Travel Parking Lodging;922|Storage;1157^Total;65838^ Form 990-EZ, Part I, Line 20 Description;Amount^Adjustment to prior year fund balance;250^Total;250^ Form 990-EZ, Part II, Line 24 Description;EOY Amount^Accounts Receivable;36118|Mobile Stage less accumulated depreciation;8856^Total;44974^ Form 990-EZ, Part II, Line 26 Description;EOY Amount^Accounts Payable;325^Total;325^ RE: BJFA 2024 Late Tax Filing / Abatement Request -- To Whom It May Concern: My name is Nicolas DeGrazia and I'm the Artistic Director for the Bitter Jester Foundation for the Arts (EIN 81-1242752) located in Highland Park IL. We are a small, 100% volunteer-run, nonprofit that has been struggling with workload/staffing issues and financial challenges due to a number of factors (COVID recovery, a mass shooting in our home town in 2022 prior to our event that day, and generally being understaffed during our "off season" when we're not producing our programming). -- We failed to file for a deadline extension on our 2024 taxes. This letter is both an apology for missing the deadline and a request for an abatement of the fines we've been acruing as a result of the delinquency. Our failure to file for an extension was due to mistakes on my part, taking on financial tasks that were outside my area of expertise and falling behind while trying to keep up with day-to-day tasks. Our paperwork will be back on track for 2025. -- Several weeks ago, I called the IRS Tax Exempt Government Entity Line and spoke with a gentlemen named Mr. Chavez. I updated him on our circumstances and status; he walked me through how to proceed. When I understood the gravity of the situation, I immediately began to rectify the problem. I let him know I was facing circumstances that were preventing me from immediately completing the tax prep work (I'm losing my office building (for an unrelated business) due to the building having been sold, so I've been hit with that daunting and emotional move while transitioning to a home-based office). -- Our nonprofit company's bookkeeper, also a volunteer, really stepped up and has been assisting me the whole month of August so that we can get everything completed by 9/1. I ask that you please grant us an abatement on our current fines. I hope that our 2024 filing resolves this unfortunate situation and that we will not face any additional penalties or actions against us. -- Under penalty of perjury, I attest that the information in this letter is all accurate and truthful. If you have any questions, please contact me at 847.651.0370. -- Sincerely, Nicolas DeGrazia, Artistic Director, Bitter Jester Foundation for the Arts.