Fundraising

Limelight Theatre

Fundraising:

The Limelight Theatre is now a $600,000+ non-profit organization.  Of that budget, 53% is generated by productions and 47% from fundraising programs. The annual Celebrity Cabaret, using local personalities from all walks of life, is the theatre’s major fundraising activity.  Additional funding comes from grants, individual contributions, an Annual fund drive, corporate contributions and activities of the Limelight Guild.  At this stage of the Limelight’s development, it is apparent that there are pressing needs that must be met if the Theatre is to accomplish its ambitious mission.

SHORT TERM NEEDS:

  • Since only 53% of the Limelight Theatre income is generated by ticket sales, the remaining 47% (approximately $250,000) must be obtained by contributions.  Therefore, our first and foremost need is to meet or exceed this annual financial objective in order for the Limelight Theatre to remain fiscally sound. 
  • Our second need is to retire debt created by the expansion and renovation project, completed in early 2008. Only 50% of the project could be completed with the $400,000 grant awarded by the State of Florida Cultural Facilities program.  Our Naming Rights fund raising campaign is focused on retiring the $500,000 mortgage on the building.

  • Our third need is to hire a full time professional Director of Development to devise a strategic plan for orchestrating and directing all Limelight Theatre fundraising with the goal of embarking upon a major gifts campaign raising $2 million for the Limelight Theatre permanent Endowment Fund.

LONG TERM NEEDS:

The Theatre will need to expand and modernize its facilities in order to keep pace with the growing needs of the community.  A facilities growth plan will be developed along with a feasibility study identifying specific options and alternatives for accomplishing the elements of the plan.