Active TopicsActive Topics  Display List of Forum MembersMemberlist  CalendarCalendar  Search The ForumSearch  HelpHelp
  RegisterRegister  LoginLogin
Money Talk
 Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board :Theater Administration :Money Talk
Message Icon Topic: $ given in memory(Topic Closed Topic Closed) Post Reply Post New Topic
Page  of 2 Next >>
Author Message
Nanette
Celebrity
Celebrity
Avatar

Joined: 8/01/06
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 399
bullet Topic: $ given in memory
    Posted: 10/02/08 at 10:04am

We were recently given a small sum of money from the family of a patron in her memory.  They simply said that they wanted the theatre to have the money in her memory;  no mention of how it's to be used.  They've left that up to us.

Any suggestions as to how to use this gift?  We don't want it to simply go into our general account.  We'd like to remember this woman in a special way. 
 
We borrow our space from a local church, so we can't place anything permanently.
In a world of margarine, be butter!
IP IP Logged
dboris
Celebrity
Celebrity


Joined: 2/10/04
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 124
bullet Posted: 10/02/08 at 12:34pm
You could use the money for a specific show and then dedicate a performance, or the entire run of that show to her.
IP IP Logged
skoehler
Lead
Lead
Avatar

Joined: 5/19/08
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 37
bullet Posted: 10/02/08 at 12:40pm
Generally speaking people seem to enjoy knowing that their gift will help the theatre in a substantial way.  Either through some investment in capital, which I am guessing would not be right for you if you do not own your location, or investing in the future of the company.  Do you have an endowment?  Is the gift large enough to start one?  Something that will allow the gift to keep giving.  This also shows strong fiscal management, which is critical in securing future gifts.

Congrats on the gift, and best of luck.
Steven Koehler
Managing Director
Civic Theatre of Greater Lafayette
www.lafayettecivic.org
IP IP Logged
belle
Star
Star


Joined: 9/12/06
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 75
bullet Posted: 10/02/08 at 2:18pm
If it's in the $100-$1500 range (not large enough to be much of an endowment) you might consider buying a piece of equipment so it will be a permanent addition to the company--a lighting instrument(s), body mic(s), laptop, software, sound board, light board, or follow spot.  Those things could be used in different venus for a long time.
 
If you don't need equipment or don't have storage for it, you could bring in a person to help train actors/techs/etc.  That education would improve your company in the future.  In all advertising before and pictures afterward, mention the program is a gift of the donor.
 
With all gifts, I try to think of things that I always wished we had money for and spend it on that.
 
Finally, mention the gift giver in all future play programs (or for a reasonable amount of time).  That way you tell your donors how much their gift is appreciated and remind others that gifts are always welcome.
IP IP Logged
Nanette
Celebrity
Celebrity
Avatar

Joined: 8/01/06
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 399
bullet Posted: 10/02/08 at 2:45pm
Thanks for the suggestions.  I had thought about dedicating the next show to her, but I also like the idea of purchasing something that we need in her honor. 
In a world of margarine, be butter!
IP IP Logged
B-M-D
Celebrity
Celebrity
Avatar

Joined: 11/03/05
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 346
bullet Posted: 10/10/08 at 3:33pm
What about starting a scholarship fund in her name?   Perhaps going to a local graduating HS student that intends to major in the performing arts.   It doesn't have to be much, even a couple hundred dollars is helpfull.   We give out a $500 scholarship most years as long as there's a deserving student.
BD

"Dying is easy, comedy is hard."
IP IP Logged
Cravens
Player
Player
Avatar

Joined: 11/03/08
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 13
bullet Posted: 11/03/08 at 6:12pm
We have had that happen as well. We ended up purchasing a prop - a desk that has been used in several productions. Then we mention it is the show program that it is being used in memory of.
Tracy
www.longmonttheatre.org
IP IP Logged
Marshall
Walk-On
Walk-On
Avatar

Joined: 1/12/09
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 0
bullet Posted: 1/12/09 at 5:51am
Originally posted by Nanette

Thanks for the suggestions.  I had thought about dedicating the next show to her, but I also like the idea of purchasing something that we need in her honor. 

Hi, great to know all this, well its really very good that you are dedicating him your next show. This will be really honorable to him. All the best for it.
IP IP Logged
Nanette
Celebrity
Celebrity
Avatar

Joined: 8/01/06
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 399
bullet Posted: 1/12/09 at 7:04am
An update:  We dedicated the run of the show to her, noting it in the program and before each performance.  Her husband was sent comp tickets and a letter telling him how we had used the money.  We were delighted to see that he came!  He left us a wonderful note on our comments sheet saying that his beloved has thoroughly enjoyed that evening's performance. 
In a world of margarine, be butter!
IP IP Logged
Kathy S
Celebrity
Celebrity
Avatar

Joined: 8/21/04
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 303
bullet Posted: 1/23/09 at 1:08pm

That tells you that you did the best thing with the gift:  you gave to the community and it ended up coming back to the giver!

IP IP Logged
Page  of 2 Next >>
Post Reply Post New Topic
Printable version Printable version

Forum Jump
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot create polls in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

Bulletin Board Software by Web Wiz Forums version 8.05
Copyright ©2001-2006 Web Wiz Guide
buy generic cialis are in line cialis canada outcome for yourself viagra sales cost saving benefit viagra uk convert your buy phentermine online pay phentermine cod payment Lenders Everything xanax online your existing xanax overnight absolute must free incest stories online The value gay incest advance The key free dog sex pics cash flow dog sex the reduced noise free gay college guys of the period gay guys