Grants

[midgetgreen11]

Hey guys, me and a few other technicians in my high school are working on applying for a grant, to replace all our old "beat up" fixtures that are corroding and the paint is peeling off of. half of the ass ends of our lekos don't even work. and we need a new lightboard, yes... NEED.

Does anybody know of any extremely generous donors or places thatt award grants that i could look to?

[soundlight]

Something other than grants to look for - theatres that are refurbishing - many times these places will be selling lekos and fresnels for unbeliveably low prices. They have to get rid of everything fast in order to renovate and get their new stuff. Also, some places have old light boards just sitting around. I got a Colortran Encore 48/96 for my HS just by noticing that it was sitting in a corner and had been replaced. I got ot for just the cost of shipping.

[midgetgreen11]

Thanks, that's a great idea! any other ideas from anybody?

[Van]

Grants for Educational facilities can be a real pain. A lot of times the feeling with Foundations is, "Their a Public School, their funding is taken care of already." That being said, don't hesitate to apply for them. Take a look on the Net. Here in Portland/ North Western Oregon, we have the RAC (Regional Arts Committee) they are responsible for disseminating funds to regional arts and artists. There may be a place similar in your area, ( I can't remember where you are located.) Another option, which may sound daunting, is to go directly to the Board of Education. Inform the people on the "infrastructure" committees that the theatre program is in dire need of new equipment to be able to provide a adequate and safe education. You may also be able to organize, in association with your Thespian Society or drama club a matching funds drive. Get several businesses and sponsors in your community to match or double any funds that you can raise, then go out and Kick Butt, with the car washes, etc. etc. I know it sounds real goofy but it works.

[midgetgreen11]

we've had a few people try fundraising for it in our area, but just about every time its fallen by the way-side, but thanks for the advice :]

[gafftaper]

First off you said your theater program is an independent production company in another thread right? Do you have 501(c)(3) status? That's critical. If the IRS sees you as a non profit then it's a tax deduction to give you money.

As has been suggested check with city, county, and state art commissions for grants. I got several small grants from the county to bring in great artists to work with my students to produce original shows. Second go to the local theater and look in the program for their list of donors. Somewhere there you will find the local businesses and foundations that give money to theater. Contact them to see if they would be interested in helping you.

Finally there is the question of the ethnic and socioeconomic status of your student body. My high school was 23% white and the majority of the students came from government housing projects. It was easy to get money to help a poor ethnically diverse school. If you are a white middle class school you will have a hard time getting grants. BUT if you are a white middle class school you have something that my school didn't have... Involved parents. Get the parents to organize a benefit dinner of some sort. I know an urban white middle class school that makes about $20,000 a year on one dinner. They get everything donated and auction off all kinds of cool stuff. Again that 501(c)(3) is critical to making this work.

[midgetgreen11]

actually, i believe we are labeled that way, because we all have to get ads for the programs and we have to tell them that its tax-deductible.

And i like the dinner idea, but its another one of those things in NK; people would rather go see the Volleyball game in the Gym.

[gafftaper]

Originally Posted by midgetgreen11

actually, i believe we are labeled that way, because we all have to get ads for the programs and we have to tell them that its tax-deductible.
And i like the dinner idea, but its another one of those things in NK; people would rather go see the Volleyball game in the Gym.

There's a big difference between saying it's tax deductible and actually having the correct 501(c)(3) status. Many people assume that giving to a school is tax deductible and it just isn't true. You have to have the equivalent of a sports booster club set up. There are a lot of very specific rules from the IRS that have to be followed about your accounting. If you do have the correct status then it should be fairly easy for you to contact companies for donations of nice things for fund raising auctions or raffles.

[midgetgreen11]

resurrecting one of my old posts... does anyone know ANY way to get idk like a $5000 grant?? i checked local theatres and nobody has a lightboard... and ours is dying... its a two-scene preset and Scene 1 spontaneously goes up and down as it pleases, and the school will believe it "works" until it really dies, and we don't have one. What i would REALLy like to get is an Express, but i feel like that's not going to happen

[Charc]

Originally Posted by midgetgreen11

resurrecting one of my old posts... does anyone know ANY way to get idk like a $5000 grant?? i checked local theatres and nobody has a lightboard... and ours is dying... its a two-scene preset and Scene 1 spontaneously goes up and down as it pleases, and the school will believe it "works" until it really dies, and we don't have one. What i would REALLy like to get is an Express, but i feel like that's not going to happen

Sell a lot of candy bars...? Sorry I don't have a good answer, money doesn't grow on trees.