Westport Country Playhouse Receives Challenge Grant from Newman's Own Foundation

Westport Country Playhouse has been awarded a $75,000 Challenge Grant from Newman's Own Foundation to increase individual donor support. The Challenge launched on Tuesday, December 1, 2015, to coincide with #GivingTuesday, a national day of philanthropy, and runs through Thursday, December 31, 2015.

The Newman's Own Foundation Challenge Grant will help the Playhouse build long-term organizational capacity and stability, increasing awareness of the Playhouse's role as an important nonprofit cultural resource, and inspiring loyal patrons to invest beyond the price of a ticket.

"Newman's Own Foundation's generous challenge grant is a tremendous incentive for our friends to contribute to 'theater worth talking about' as each donation is matched dollar-for-dollar," said Michael Ross, Playhouse managing director. "The Playhouse is a non-profit theater and fundraising is the only way to keep ticket prices accessible. We thank Newman's Own Foundation for encouraging broader financial support, and for their continued recognition that this historic theater is a vibrant, important part of our community."

Ross added, "We believe 'theater worth talking about' is theater worth supporting."

The Playhouse and Newman's Own Foundation share a common connection in Paul Newman. Newman's Own Foundation is the independent foundation created by Newman to continue his philanthropic legacy. Together, Paul Newman and his wife, former Playhouse artistic director Joanne Woodward, were instrumental in creating the Playhouse as it exists today.

"Westport Country Playhouse plays a valuable role in the cultural life of the region," said Robert Forrester, president and CEO of Newman's Own Foundation. "We are pleased to award this grant and hope that our challenge inspires others in the community to likewise support the Playhouse."

With only one-third of the non-profit's operating costs paid for via ticket sales, the Playhouse hopes the challenge will inspire audiences, and particularly subscribers, to invest in the theater's mission. Gifts can be made online at www.westportplayhouse.org/support, or by calling the Playhouse at 203/571.1138.

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