Asolo Rep to Participate in Sarasota County's 2015 Giving Challenge

Asolo Repertory Theatre has announced its participation in the Community Foundation of Sarasota County's 2015 Giving Challenge from Tuesday, September 1 at noon through Wednesday, September 2 at noon. The Giving Challenge is a community-wide initiative that strives to spotlight Sarasota's nonprofit organizations and demonstrate the importance and impact of any gift, no matter its size.

Asolo Rep will partner with the FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training for a launch party at Burns Court Cinema in downtown Sarasota on Tuesday, September 1. Following a light reception, a free screening of the Academy Award-winning film West Side Story will be shown to celebrate Asolo Rep's upcoming November 2015 production of the iconic musical. The event starts at 11:30am and the screening begins at 12:15pm. Voluntary online contributions of $25 or more to the Giving Challenge for Asolo Rep or the FSU/Asolo Conservatory will be accepted via credit card at the event. This event is free and open to the public but reservations are required by Tuesday, August 25. RSVP to SpecialEvents@asolo.org or 941.351.9010, ext. 4702.

Donations made for Asolo Repertory Theatre during the Giving Challenge will support both the highly anticipated 2015-16 season and the theatre's award-winning education and outreach programs, which impact children and adults in the community and across the state. The theatre's aim throughout the Challenge is to reveal how every gift can change the world of another by providing access to live theatre. Leading up to September 1, Asolo Rep encourages the community to share how theatre has changed their world. These experiences can be submitted to Asolo Rep's Twitter and Facebook pages with the hashtag #Give4Change.

"The Giving Challenge provides a wonderful opportunity for community members to learn about and become involved with Sarasota's wealth of nonprofit organizations," said Linda DiGabriele, Managing Director of Asolo Repertory Theatre. "Donations made for Asolo Rep during the Challenge deeply impact all aspects of our theatre, providing funding for student matinees, community outreach projects, the production of our sets and costumes, and much more."

Since its inception in 2012, the Giving Challenge has raised more than $8 million to support Sarasota's nonprofit organizations. The 2015 Giving Challenge is made possible by the Community Foundation of Sarasota County and The Patterson Foundation with support from the William G. and Marie Selby Foundation, John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Manatee Community Foundation, and the Herald-Tribune Media Group.

Last year's highly successful Giving Challenge raised $3.1 million for local nonprofit organizations. Of the donations received, 69 percent were for $50 or less and 43 percent of those donations were for $25 or less. This year, the Patterson Foundation of Sarasota will generously match all new contributions of up to $250 from individuals who did not give to Asolo Rep in last year's challenge. There is no limit to the matching funds this year.

"Donating for the benefit of Asolo Rep during the Giving Challenge is an opportunity for you to make a big impact with a small gift," said Scott Guinn, Asolo Rep's Individual Giving Associate. "Both our regular season productions and our education and outreach programs offer compelling stories that hopefully make people think and evaluate where and who they are. The quality and success of those productions and programs is only possible because of our donors, and each contribution makes a tremendous difference."

To learn more about Asolo Rep and the programs that contributions will support, visit www.thegivingpartner.org and search for Asolo Rep.To donate for the benefit of Asolo Rep during the Giving Challenge, visit www.givingpartnerchallenge.org on September 1 beginning at noon and search for Asolo Rep. Before the Challenge begins, follow Asolo Rep's Twitter and Facebook pages for more information. For details, rules and regulations about the Giving Challenge, visit https://www.givingpartnerchallenge.org/#rules-faq.

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