Donations to theatre group?

[c9]

Question for the crowd: short of the members of all levels of government, can you suggest to whom else I might write to ask for donations to Kitchener-Waterloo Little Theatre? We had an emergency meeting tonight, at which it was revealed that we're short about $25,000 to finish rebuilding the theatre that was detroyed by fire in 2002. We are trying a few approaches to make up the shortfall, but every little bit helps. Any suggestions?

Comments

[heartovmidnight.livejournal.com]

What about schools? Remember how Mac used to support GCTC?

Ummm .... art/drama/dance schools?

[c9.livejournal.com]

Mac supported the GCTC? Cool! Good idea.

[skaughty.livejournal.com]

It sucks, but there's always the corporate sell-out method. Besides, who wouldn't want to spend an evening at the RIM Theatre watching live performances?

[c9.livejournal.com]

Ha! Actually, there are too many things named RIM around here already, it's the local Beaverbrook. But perhaps I'll drop them a line asking for a donation, not a corporate name. :)

[jdhorner.livejournal.com]

could you sell promotional materials/etc... through cafepress.com ?
they have buttons, t-shirts, etc... and do everything for you, even set up a free online store, and cut you in on a percentage of sales that you make.

that's all i got.

[c9.livejournal.com]

Excellent thought, but unfortunately we're far too small scale for that. They almost couldn't make quorum at this meeting, and quorum was 11 people. :) But that's a possibility for future stuff, definitely!

[miket61.livejournal.com]

Are there any successful and wealthy actors from the area?

[c9.livejournal.com]

I suspect no. In Canada, we have none of those people because when they become successful they move to the US. :) There is a very famous theatre festival where celebs come and perform just 30 minutes away though, so we'll be contacting them. Thanks!

[miket61.livejournal.com]

I didn't say they still had to live there. :) It would be great PR for an actor to get his/her name in the press for supporting his/her hometown theater group. Actual cash would help, of course, but someone sufficiently big could provide some star power to a fundraiser.

A quick search came up with Jill Hennessy from Crossing Jordan. She went to high school in Kitchener. And barely made it through, according to IMDB.

[c9.livejournal.com]

Ha! That's hilarious! I had no idea anybody was from here, actually. The locals really push a former Prime Minister, to the exclusion of all others. :)

[miket61.livejournal.com]

I think Crossing Jordan got cancelled, so I don't know if they'll be having a Jill Hennessy Day Parade next year either...

[cap-hill-latte.livejournal.com]

A "Men of the KW-LT" calendar?

[c9.livejournal.com]

*Nice*. So far, from personal experience, no. :)

[lifein2x3.livejournal.com]

Letter to the Editor to your local paper?

[c9.livejournal.com]

Good idea, thanks!

[thespos]

How about selling advertising on the back of your program to local businesses? They could even make coupons, and then track the investment - then you might have a built in sponsor or two year after year.

[c9.livejournal.com]

I think that's part of the regular fundraising plans. The problem we're faced with, and I should have been more specific, is that there are a LOT of construction bills coming in within the next month, and we urgently need the one-time style cash donations to get through. Once the building is built, the group becomes self-sufficient again, and the longer-term items help too.

I'll file that away and give it to the publicity person on the board, hopefully it's already in the works. Thanks!

[thespos]

How about a raffle? Get a local business to donate something pricey, and then sell raffle tickets - pure profit, except for printing the tickets. Just make sure you put a different number on each ticket. :-)

You could also do a services auction (baby-sitting, dinner for two, clean the house, etc.) or maybe a bake sale? Might not be much, but like you said, every little bit helps.

[bartok.livejournal.com]

Two words:

Foxy.

Boxing.

[c9.livejournal.com]

It's funny that you mention that. It's Oktoberfest, and I told a coworker where we're going for the festivities (a local arena !) and he said "bring boxing gloves." I guess there are always fights at this young-ruffians venue.

(KWLT members != foxy)

[beaucifer.livejournal.com]

Random guy here via [Bad username or site: @ livejournal.com]'s friends list...

I worked a casino for a local theatre company here. I'm not sure how it works in Ontario, but here in Alberta the casinos dole out percentages of earnings to local charity groups that volunteer to run some of the services (think chip-change room, vault, runners etc). I think we booked three days with them and Leave It To Jane Theatre made a killing ($25,000 plus seems to ring a bell). Definately look into it...

[c9.livejournal.com]

Cool, thanks. I suspect that won't be an option in Ontario, due to the large number of casinos, the large distance the casinos are from KW, and the very structured and regulated approach the casinos take here (as opppsed to charity casinos, I mean). Good thought though, I'll file that in my investigations list.

[rebelprince26.livejournal.com]

only $25,000? let me get my checkbook...


i'm sending you a present today!

[c9.livejournal.com]

Woohoo! Can you make it $25,010 so I can buy lunch?

[rebelprince26.livejournal.com]

you had to push it, didn't you? that extra $10 you asked for blew the whole deal. now you get nothing!


:)

[c9.livejournal.com]

*shakes fist* Damn youuuuuuu!