PNT Chosen To Compete For $1,000,000 In Matching Funds From The Community Foundation For Southeast Michigan

Performance Network Theatre is excited to announce that it is one of only a handful of Washtenaw county non-profits selected to compete for $1,000,000 in matching funds from the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan. Beginning August 18 at 10 am the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, through the Community Foundation Challenge - Arts & Culture, is providing up to $1 million to match general operating gifts made online at www.cfsem.org to support participating arts and cultural organizations, including Performance Network.
A match of $1 will be provided for every $2 contributed!

Beginning at 10am on August 18, the Network will be eligible to receive online donations via the Community Foundation Challenge website, www.cfsem.org. The Community Foundation will provide up to $1 million in total matching funds to participating organizations. Matching funds will be awarded on a "first gift, first match" basis. The matching program will end as soon as the $1 million of match funds are gone. Donors can contribute a minimum of $25 and a maximum of $10,000, by credit card or e-check, through the Community Foundation website.
Executive Director Carla Milarch said: "This is a tremendous opportunity for Performance Network to use its grassroots support to leverage significant dollars. As we proved in our April campaign - many small donations, when joined together, can move mountains. We are encouraging our supporters to make their contributions of $25 or more on August 18th to help us grab our piece of the pie!"

Performance Network will put all funds raised through this challenge toward meeting its end of the year benchmarks for financial viability, set by the PNT board in April. These benchmarks included raising $150,000 by October 1. Today, Performance Network is only $30,000 away from their goal. All operational funds are used to support PNT's community programs, including its award-winning professional season, its Children's Theatre Network and its apprenticeships for undergraduates and summer internships.

Artistic Director David Wolber adds "This is our chance to show CFSEM and the Cultural Alliance how broad our support base goes. Our goal is not to raise the most money of any organization (although that would be nice!), but to have the most people donate on our behalf. Our goal is maximum involvement - at ANY level (of $25 or more). We also know our supporters are some of the most tech-savvy out there - so we've got that going for us too!"

The goal of the program is to generate $3 million in much needed operating funds for participating arts and cultural organizations. Performance Network has the potential to generate up to $600,000 in operating funds ($400,000 in gifts and $200,000 in matching funds) through the challenge.
Time, however, is of the essence. Performance Network will begin accepting contributions via the Community Foundation Challenge website, www.cfsem.org at 10 a.m. on Aug. 18. Donors are advised to make their contribution as early as possible on the 18th.
Gifts eligible for match

Starting August 18, 2009, at 10:00 a.m. gifts for the Community Foundation Challenge can be made online at www.cfsem.org to support PERFORMANCE NETWORK and other participating arts and cultural organizations. Through the Web site, donors can choose one or more organizations to receive support by using a simple menu to locate organizations participating in the challenge. Gifts must be made online by credit card or e-check and can range from $25 to $10,000 per contributor, per organization. Only completed gifts will be matched - no pledges.
$1 million challenge - FAQs

Q. What is the Community Foundation Challenge - Arts & Culture program?

A. It is a program by the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, in partnership with the Cultural Alliance of Southeastern Michigan, to engage donors online to provide general operating support to participating arts and cultural organizations in southeast Michigan.

Q. How is the Community Foundation attracting gifts to this program?

A. The Community Foundation is providing $1,000,000 of matching funds that will be used to match gifts at the rate of $1 of match for every $2 of gift received.

Q. When will gifts be accepted?

A. Beginning August 18, 2009, at 10:00 a.m.

Q. When will the match program end?

A. Immediately when the match funds are fully expended or on September 18, 2009, whichever is reached first.

Q. What type of gifts can be accepted?

A. Only gifts by credit card or e-check processed through the Community Foundation

Challenge Web site will be accepted.

Q. Can donor advised grants be used to support a participating charity?

A. Community Foundation donor advisors may recommend a grant from their Community Foundation donor advised fund. However, these grants must be made through the Community Foundation Challenge Web site. Grants from other donor advised fund programs will not be accepted for match purposes.

Q. Can I mail in my gift or make my credit card gift by phone?

A. No. All gifts must be made through the Community Foundation Challenge Web site.

Q. What is the address of the Web site?

A. The Community Foundation Challenge Web site address is www.cfsem.org.

Q. Is there a size limit on gifts?

A. In order to receive a match, a donor can make a gift ranging from the minimum of $25 up to the maximum gift of $10,000 by credit card or e-check per participating organization. Community Foundation donor advised grants can be recommended between $250 and $10,000 per organization.

Q. Can I make a pledge and earn match funds for an organization?

A. No. Only completed gifts and donor advised fund grants made through the Web site will be accepted.

Q. My employer will match charitable contributions. Can their matching gift be matched through this program?

A. The employer match can earn a match but only if it is made through the Web site, is made before the close of the program and otherwise meets the eligibility rules of the program.

Q. Is there a limit on the amount a donor can contribute?

A. A donor is limited to a gift of $10,000 (generating $5,000 of match) per organization to as many participating organizations as they would like.

Q. Is there a limit on the amount of matching funds an organization can earn?

A. Yes. A participating organization can earn up to $200,000 in matching funds.

Q. How will a donor receive acknowledgement of their gift?

A. All gifts are made through the Community Foundation Challenge Web site to the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan and will be recognized as such for tax purposes. The donor will receive an email receipt for tax purposes. After the close of the program, the Community Foundation will provide a grant to the participating organizations based on the gifts secured under the program plus the matching funds being provided by the Community Foundation. Participating organizations will also receive the contact information for each donor that recommended support for the organization, unless the donor requested that the contribution remain anonymous.

Q. What costs are associated with the program?

A. A donor can be assured that 100 percent of their gift will be granted to the participating nonprofits along with 100 percent of the eligible matching funds. The Community Foundation is underwriting the administrative costs of the program including development of the Web site, all gift processing costs, credit card processing fees, development of e-mail and other marketing materials, and training costs.

Q. How can donors be sure that the participating organizations receive the

recommended contributions?

A. It is the intent of the Community Foundation to support the participating organizations recommended by the donors. The Community Foundation has reviewed the financial and

public charity status of all participating organizations and has pre-approved their participation. In the unlikely event that a participating organization should lose its taxexempt status or close prior to the distribution of grants from the Community Foundation Challenge, these funds will be used by the Community Foundation to support a nonprofit organization that provides similar programs and opportunities in the community.

Founded in 1981, Performance Network Theatre has grown from a fledgling company to Ann Arbor's only resident, professional theatre. The Network reaches 40,000 theatre patrons and children each year through the year-round Professional Series and The Children's Theatre Network. Performance Network also presents the Fireside Festival of New Works and a series of classes on theatre-related topics. The Network provides uncompromising artistic leadership in the region and produces works that engage, challenge and inspire audiences and artists.

 

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