Donor Recognition in the Community: Waukesha Civic Theater

 

I recently had lunch with Beverly Peterson, Director of Development at the Waukesha Civic Theatre (WCT). At first glance, the old converted movie theater, located downtown in the heart of Waukesha, looks like a sleepy laid back little community venue. But after taking a closer look, this clearly is a very professionally run organization. When you walk in the front door the first thing you see is the main wall of the lobby that displays a huge mask, the logo of the organization, and the title Bryce and Anne Styza Donor Wall.  Clearly, the organization values donor recognition as it lists all the names of contributors from two capital campaigns. The first capital campaign in 1999 renovated the building by converting it from an old movie theater to a state-of-the-art community theatre facility that is handicap accessible not only to patrons, but to performers as well.  The Waukesha Civic Theatre maintained the integrity of the 1920’s movie theatre décor and incorporated it into their renovations. An additional campaign in 2006 allowed for further renovations to the north end of the building creating more rehearsal space and theatre arts education class space.  There is an additional donor recognition wall in the back of the theatre building for those entering from Riverfront Plaza. In wandering around the building, one sees very quickly that naming rights are a prized commodity.  Anything thing from dressing rooms, to rehearsal rooms, to even stairs are named for donors who contributed to the capital campaign. The building is named after Margaret Brate Bryant, and the mainstage is named after her daughter, Andrea Bryant Jones.  These naming rights were due to contributions by family members, Tony and Andrea Bryant, as well as John Bryant during the first campaign.  There are currently a few spaces available for naming rights.  The Waukesha Civic Theatre annual operating budget depends on 60% being raised through season subscriptions and 40% through fundraising opportunities. This gives everyone in the community a chance to contribute, and be recognized through show playbills, WCT website and  print media advertisement. . Additionally, planned giving programs provide valuable tax benefits to the donor as well as much needed income for the future of WCT. Bequests may be made through a will or other options which include charitable trusts and beneficiary designation attached to a tax-deferred retirement asset. Corporate Sponsors aren't left out either. A business or individual has multiple opportunities to partner with the theatre by  sponsoring shows and events from small amounts to very substantial amounts. All of these donations come with a recognition component and it’s pretty comprehensive. The theatre is still left with a wish list from anything like audio systems, to light board, to curtains in dressing room, and everything in between. This little theatre is no little theater, but a great example of how to do recognition right, and how to realize a huge percentage of their operating budget as a result. For more information on how you can help the Waukesha Civic Theatre, please contact Beverly Peterson, Director of Development at bpeterson@waukeshacivictheatre.org or checkout their website at www.waukeshacivictheatre.org.