[Sayen]

I'm assuming you've tried repairing the projector first?

My district does not give us any money other than the theater space and my salary, which is good because in return I don't owe them anything special. I teach in a very political environment, so that's a good thing. All of our funding comes from outside sources.

- Ticket sales - I budget my shows to break about even on ticket sales, or there abouts.

- Does your school charge an activity card fee when students register? I get a small share of this when I remember to ask, and it usually covers a small portion of my lamp budget.

- Argue for rental fees, or a cut of rental fees. I'm working right now to rent out my gear (department owned equipment, purchased through student funds) separately to rentals. Want a wireless mic? It'll cost you, and the money comes back to us. On top of that, your facility should get a percentage of every rental, since they add wear and tear to your equipment.

- Tax Credit - I don't know if every state does this, but properly done you can fund plenty of equipment this way.

- Parent group - My school parent group doesn't raise much money, but a neighboring school in a rich neighborhood funds most of their new equipment through a parent booster group.

- PTO/PTA - Ask these nice folks for funding.

- Sell advertising in your programs - doesn't make a ton, but every bit adds up.

I haven't had to do a traditional fund raiser in several years. Other ideas we keep on the back burner here:

- Student fees - I don't charge these currently, but I know many schools where kids pay a nominal (or not so nominal $300 at one school) fee to be a part of productions.

- Theater sponsorships, like many professional theaters, and post a display in the lobby.

- One school I know memorized monologues and went door to door performing for donations.

- Sell concessions at school events. Football games usually have a concession stand, but if you can set up next to them with something unique, like frozen icees or something, you can make a fortune. Every event can be an opportunity to sell food.

- If you have a regular community group that uses your theater, like a church, ask them for a donation.

My experience has been that school districts tend to have a lot of money, it's just not budgeted very well or you have to know to ask for it. Call around and do some investigating, see what funds you can uncover.