Arizona Theatre Company surpasses $6M fundraising goal

The Arizona Theatre Company launched a $6M Rise Above capital campaign in March and has already surpassed the halfway point of funds raised. The theatre says it has found a way as a non-profit to secure donations it needs to be on strong financial footing. They have been a part of the community for more than 50 years and can share how they met their financial goals

Matt August who is the Artistic Director at the Arizona Theatre Company joined “Arizona Horizon“

“This is a campaign that’s designed to sort of take us a little bit beyond what we would normally raise for our annual fund,” August said.

The campaign is divided into three components in order to maximize the amount of money they can raise. Some of their fundraising efforts include the ATC is selling naming rights, and encouraging audiences to give more or donate for the first time.

All the donations through the ATC’s funding efforts have been a big contributing factor as to why the campaign has already passed their halfway point, but it is also thanks to the Connie Hillman Family Foundation.

“We have a wonderful foundation… who’s doing a $300,000 matching grant, a two for one matching grant,” August said. “Every $2 that’s given to us, we will get $1 extra from the Hillman Foundation.”

For August, the theatre is so important because it is a vessel to bring people together, experience deep emotions and view a wonderful production. It is a way to connect people in ways that they may not even realize.

“Getting people out of their silos, getting people out of their lonely rooms, getting people off of their computers, getting them off of their phones and putting everybody together in a room,” August said. “To have a collective experience where they’re being told a story that means something.”