Foundation Gifts

We believe that all children deserve to enjoy the arts in their lives. To accomplish this, we have made it a priority to ensure that The Rose is accessible for families of all income levels. No child or family requesting assistance with tickets to shows or class fees is ever turned away. Gifts and grants ranging from $1,000 to $1,000,000 allow us to maintain this policy of accessibility.

Gifts made by foundations and individuals help us to:

  • Distribute more than 10,000 free tickets for productions each season to children from low-income households. These tickets are distributed through social service agencies including Boys & Girls Club, Girls Inc., Girls and Boys Town, River Cities Camp Fire, area churches and local shelters.
  • Provide funding for our unique Every Single Child program, which allows each grade level in participating schools the chance to experience live theater performances and education in both dance and drama. At a time when schools have been forced to cut funding for arts programs, Every Single Child may be a child’s only access to the arts. Currently, approximately 25,000 children are served in 57 schools through the program. For an investment of $2,500 you can provide programming for grades K-6 in a single school including bus transportation to and from The Rose. There is no better way to touch a young life than through the support of Every Single Child.
  • Subsidize tickets for more than 30,000 children on school field trips. The subsidy offered for tickets is determined by the number of free and reduced-priced lunches served by the school. In 2004/2005, the value of the financial assistance was greater than $250,000.
  • Offer educational classes in drama and dance at a reduced rate or free to children whose families could not afford them. Approximately 2,000 children each year stretch their minds through a full range of classes designed for pre-schoolers, elementary school students and teenagers.
  • Provide scholarships for six to ten students who attend the Josh Brockington Summer Camp. At camp, students develop theatrical skills and enjoy traditional camp activities such as horseback riding, archery and swimming.
  • Allow teens to express their innermost thoughts, work together as a team and explore relevant issues in our Teens N’ Theater program. Teens address contemporary issues including diversity, bullying, self-esteem, eating disorders and more through playwriting, acting and producing their own works. Also under the Teens N’ Theater wing are projects by our Young, Gifted and Black and Teatro Mestizo troupes which deal specifically with issues faced by African Americans and Chicano/Latino teens in our community.
  • Underwrite daily operating and facility expenses. While The Rose is a magnificent and historic building, the heating and cooling and maintenance expense is approximately $8,000 per month.
  • Retain actor/educators who bring our mission to life through classwork with students of all ages at The Rose and in school workshops and residencies.

Recognition for gifts is determined by the preferences of the donor. Some donors prefer to remain anonymous, while others welcome equal recognition with corporate sponsors.

If you or your foundation wish to be recognized, some of the benefits may include:

  • Logo or name listing in production programs for the entire season
  • Logo or name listing in 90,000 season brochures
  • Listing in our annual report
  • Recognition on our website with a link to the foundation’s website
  • Recognition in our Footlights newsletter
  • Complimentary tickets based on dollar amount , which can be committed to you or the social agency of your choice
  • Verbal acknowledgement from stage following each performance, if desired

To discuss the giving of financial gifts to The Rose, please contact Vic Gutman, Executive Director, at (402) 502-4619.