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Wege Foundation to double gifts through Dec. 21

wealthytheatre
Wealthy Theatre
12/17/12 09:01am
culture Nonprofit Dispatches

This dispatch was added by one of our Nonprofit Neighbors. It does not represent the editorial voice of The Rapidian or Community Media Center.

GR City Commissioner Rosalynn Bliss and others to help close out fundraising for Wealthy Theatre, Dec. 21. The Wege Foundation will match any gift or pledge. $80,000 is needed by Dec. 21 to meet the goal.
Underwriting support from:

Why the campaign is important

The WT Sustainability Campaign is important, Wilson said, "because the theatre is the anchor of the neighborhood, and we badly need to address energy waste, oudated technologies and damage to our facade."

Campaign Goals

Community Media Center (CMC) and Rockford Construction have partnered to complete the Sustainability Campaign, and implementation will begin in early 2013, with a focus on "containment" - ways to keep energy (heat, cool) inside the building, and to use less of it. This will help the theatre to contain costs permanently, going forward.

Additional Goals

Beautification in the back parking lot facing Sigsbee Street, repairs to the beautifully detailed - but badly damaged - facade at the front of the building, facing Wealthy Street. A focus on refreshing key technologies (projection, video recording, audio) that make Wealthy Theatre a viable venue for educators, performers, musicians, dancers, independent filmmakers and churches.

This is Historic Preservation

Giving a Christmas present to Wealthy Theatre is not only an investment in accessibility by underserved populations - it's support for historic preservation, using innovation and greening technologies to become more cost-efficient.

Wealthy Theatre is a service of the Grand Rapids Community Media Center, a local 501c3 nonprofit organization. Contirbutions to this campaign are tax deductable to the fullest extent of the law.

/Steven Depolo

/Tim Motley

/Wealthy Theatre

The Wege Foundation has generously offered to double contributions to the Wealthy Theatre Sustainability Campaign, through Dec. 21, putting the remaining $80,000 to be raised, within reach; giving the landmark venue a chance to remain viable, relevant and affordable for the community well into the future.

HOW TO DONATE

Donations can be made online at wealthytheatre.org/100 or by calling (616) 459-4788 x130 weekdays 2-7pm.

Wealthy Theatre is located at:
1130 Wealthy Street
Grand Rapids, MI 49506

EVENT INFORMATION

The final day of the formal campaign is affectionately called "Hail Merry."

Hail Merry
The big finish to the campaign!
Friday, Dec. 21, 2012
Wealthy Theatre
9:30am - 5:30pm:
Taking pledges and making public thank-you's!
6:00pm - 8:00pm:
Free Holiday Specials on the big screen!

Community leaders including Rosalynn Bliss, will join us throughout the day - making and taking phone calls for pledges, with public announcements of our progress. When it's all over, at 5:30pm, the doors open for a 6:00pm big screen presentation of your favorite family holiday specials.

Tours are available all day, starting at 9:30am, if you want to learn more about the Sustainability Campaign, and Wealthy Theatre.

DONATIONS: MARKETING OPPORTUNITY

"Individuals and foundations in Grand Rapids can be thanked in many ways; and for businesses, it's a great marketing opportunity," said Erin Wilson, Director, Wealthy Theatre. "We'll be thanking major gifts and business support all day on WYCE 88.1FM, on the The Rapidian and through our social media and newsletters."

Business support "thank you" messages will be prominent Dec. 21 and Dec. 22. Wilson said WYCE is can be heard in many local retail outlets.

WHY YOUR DONATION MATTERS

Most importantly, Wealthy Theatre is poised, with the help of the community, to remain a vibrant gathering space in Grand Rapids; maintaining historic character while utilizing smart technology and greening methods to manage costs. The average gift in this campaign has been $71. Over $350,000 has been raised (with some larger gifts from foundations and businesses.)

"With enough significant support between today and Friday," Wilson said, "the overall goal can be reached, and we can move into the next decade with a sustainable operating model."

 

 

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