We need 1,000 people to donate $20 each!

Tecumseh Center for the Arts, like many organizations and businesses are experiencing financially challenging times and we, too, are worried about meeting our financial obligations this season.

In the past, the theater has been able to hold fundraising events to offset expenses at the end of our season. With the Executive Order from Michigan’s Governor to “Stay Home, Stay Safe” this means the “Show Will Not Go On” for the first time in our history.

It is true that Tecumseh Center for the Arts is owned by the City of Tecumseh; however, this does not mean the City of Tecumseh has specific tax dollars allocated to support the theater each year. At a time where our Police Department, Fire Department, Water Department and City Hall are essential, the theater knows we need to help make sure these other departments have the resources they need to take care of the community. The theater has worked incredibly hard over the past few years to decrease expenses and raise revenue so we’re not a financial burden on the City’s General Fund.

Unfortunately, even though we had a very positive start to our 39th season and we reached many of our goals (thank you!); the next few months are going to be incredibly challenging. March – June are usually our busiest times of the year and lost revenue from ticket sales, fundraisers, renters and donations is going to be difficult to overcome. To date we have lost $20,000 in revenue and if the Executive Order stays in place through the remainder of our season that loss will be closer to $60,000. Coupled with the loss of $20,000 in our endowment due to the stock market means we will have an $80,000 deficit.  

This type of deficient can seem overwhelming. With less than three months remaining in our 39th season we are asking our community for help. We know that many of us are struggling. We know that many of us are worried about lost wages, lost jobs and our small businesses but we are asking the community to help us raise $20,000 to support baseline operations. We will reach out to other foundations and grant organizations to see if we can raise the remaining $60,000. However, being owned by a municipality can be detrimental because municipalities are usually exempt from applying for state and federal grants. This puts us in a unique situation where the theater can’t apply for grants that other theaters can. It also means that we are often the first to be cut as a non-essential department within the City.

This is why we are launching our TOGETHER WE CAN Donation Campaign and asking the community to help us raise $20,000 to help offset the immediate financial burden. We believe that:

TOGETHER WE CAN raise $20,000 for the theater!
TOGETHER WE CAN make sure the TCA is here for another 40 years!
TOGETHER WE CAN keep moving forward and plan for next season!
TOGETHER WE CAN make it through this crisis!

We know how important the arts are to this community. The role the TCA plays in supporting economic development, local businesses and quality of life. We are asking 1,000 people to donate $20 through the end of April. We are hoping that if you have $20 extra dollars this month – you will consider supporting Tecumseh Center for the Arts.

You can make a donation directly to the TCA by sending a check made payable to Tecumseh Center for the Arts located at 400 North Maumee Street, Tecumseh, Michigan 49286 or by donating online at https://www.thetca.org/donations.html.
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TOGETHER WE CAN do this!
 
Sincerely,
 
Kelly Jo Gilmore, TCA Executive Director 

#togetherwecan #isupporttecumseh #ichoosetecumseh #mytecmseh #mytca #thetca #downtowntecumseh #ilovethetca
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#TOGETHERWECAN