UPDATES
18th Himalayan Mela 2026: Income & Expense Transparency Report
The 18th Himalayan Mela, held on August 8, 2026 at Nathan Phillips Square, was a resounding success — made possible by the generosity of our sponsors, vendors, and the wider community. As part of NCCS's ongoing commitment to transparency and accountability, we're pleased to share a summary of the event's income and expenses.
Income Overview
Funding for the Mela came from three main sources: exhibitor stall fees, food vendor participation, and individual/major sponsorships.
| Income Source | Total |
|---|---|
| Exhibitor Income (45 vendors) | $26,500 |
| Food Vendor Income (21 vendors) | $28,200 |
| Individual & Major Sponsor Contributions (35 sponsors) | $23,950 |
| Total Income | $78,650 |
We're especially grateful to our Title Sponsor, Pokharel Law Professional Corporation, our Platinum Sponsor, LemFi, and the many local businesses, community organizations, and individual donors whose support made this year's Mela possible.
Expense Overview
Total event expenses came to $75,411.74, covering everything from staging and city permits to artist travel and cleanup.
| Category | Amount | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| City of Toronto - Stage, Sound, Power, LED Screen & Technical Production | $35,158.00 | 46.6% |
| Venue, Tent & Infrastructure | $8,290.00 | 11.0% |
| Artists, Entertainment & Cultural Program | $5,866.00 | 7.8% |
| Artist Travel & Hospitality | $5,049.76 | 6.7% |
| Cleaning & Waste Management | $4,410.00 | 5.8% |
| Marketing, Advertising & Printing | $4,202.51 | 5.6% |
| Volunteers & Meals | $3,380.00 | 4.5% |
| Security, Insurance & Medical | $2,367.71 | 3.1% |
| City Permits & Event Support | $2,000.00 | 2.7% |
| Decorations & Stage Design | $1,882.42 | 2.5% |
| Miscellaneous / Other | $1,515.00 | 2.0% |
| Plaques & Recognition | $1,290.34 | 1.7% |
| Total Expenses | $75,411.74 | 100% |
The single largest cost driver, by far, was staging and technical production — sound, power, the LED screen, and city-provided infrastructure — which together accounted for nearly half of the total budget. This reflects the scale of the event and our commitment to delivering a high-quality experience for thousands of attendees at a major downtown venue.
Net Position
| Amount | |
|---|---|
| Total Income | $78,650.00 |
| Total Expenses | $75,411.74 |
| Net Surplus | $3,238.26 |
The 18th Himalayan Mela is on track to close with a modest surplus — a reflection of careful budgeting and the strong support of our community and sponsors.
Thank You
None of this would be possible without the trust and generosity of our exhibitors, food vendors, sponsors, volunteers, and attendees. Every dollar raised goes directly back into producing a free, community-centered celebration of Nepalese and Himalayan culture for Toronto.
If you have questions about this report, please reach out to us at [email protected].
