[gafftaper]

First off you don't get far without a nonprofit 501 (c) 3 status. Without that the donor doesn't get a tax deduction. It's not too hard to set up... it's basicaly a booster club. At our college there is the College Foundation. It's a non-profit group who work to support the needs of the college. In my case they have pledged to raise $100K toward my new theater and are working on trying to sell naming rights to the building for big bucks. Find out if you have such a group on campus and see if they will help you. Grants are great often there is a campus grant writer. If you will do the work to find the grants they will help you write it. Look at local organizations and companies that support the arts in your area. For example here if you go to a play you'll find the Boeing corporation listed on the program of just about every major theater. So we have submitted a proposal to them for a donation for our new theater. Again you need that non-profit status for them to get the deduction... in our case The College Foundation is non-profit and they get the money then give it to us. There is the old "selling" seats or spotlights. This can be a great way to get donors. A near by university just did a purchase a spotlight drive to upgrade their inventory. They had a really nice brochure that described each type of spotlight what it does and how much it costs and asked people to purchase a Source Four. Finally... and perhaps the most important place to start is within your division and dean. Colleges do spend money to upgrade their own facilities. It isn't always a lot but depending on how things are going at your college there may be money available. It's important no matter what that you have support from your dean and other high mucky mucks. They need to know what you want, why it's important, what is outdated, how much it will cost, how will it effect your performance ability. Find ways to tie it into the community and you have a jackpot.

Oh as for the not charging admission... you are nuts. How much do you pay to go out for dinner and a movie? Now compare that to $5 to get into a show? Seriously think about it. If anything it sounds like you should look at charging for tickets and then developing a marketing campaign to fill your seats and make some money. Do you have a marketing program on campus? Work with them to find out how to make money selling tickets.