New Rep Announces $75,000 in Challenge Grants

New Repertory Theatre, in residence at the Arsenal Center for the Arts, is pleased to announce that they have received two challenge grants, matching any donations raised before September 30, 2009.

To kick off its fall fundraising efforts and to help ramp up for the season, Michael McCay (former Board Chair) and Dan Salera (Advisory Council Chair) put forth a challenge grant of $50,000. The Boston Foundation heard about this challenge and offered another $25,000.

"I am very fortunate to be among such an enthusiastic community of theatergoers, Board members, staff, and artists," said Kate Warner, New Rep's new Artistic Director. "Since my arrival six months ago, this community has expressed tremendous passion for the performing arts, and this challenge further emphasizes the important role we play in bringing quality artistic, educational, and outreach programs to the citizens of Massachusetts."

Through leadership gifts from New Rep's Board of Directors and Advisory Council, New Rep has already raised $40,000 towards the match. All gifts received by New Rep before the end of September shall be used toward the Challenge and will be matched dollar-for-dollar.

"My partner Dan and I immediately wanted to play a major role in the growth of New Rep after seeing the world premiere production of MOBY DICK, AN AMERICAN OPERA," said Michael McCay. "We're so pleased that the feeling of being a part of something magical lives on in New Rep's new home at the Arsenal Center for the Arts."

Donations toward the challenge can be made at www.newrep.org or by calling Becca Solomont at 617-923-7060 x210.

New Repertory Theatre presents provocative and intelligent works of both established and emerging playwrights in an intimate setting that involves and engages the audience. New Rep has earned a reputation for dynamic productions that honor the writers and feature talented professional actors from the New England Theatre community as well as guest artists from around the U.S. New Rep has received Elliot Norton and IRNE Awards for outstanding acting, scenic design, directions, and production. Programming for New Repertory Theatre is supported in part by a grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

The Boston Foundation, Greater Boston's community foundation, is one of the oldest and largest community foundations in the nation, with assets of $695 million. In Fiscal Year 2009, the Foundation and its donors made $86 million in grants to nonprofit organizations and received gifts of over $72 million. The Foundation's competitive grantmaking is supported by the Permanent Fund for Boston at the Boston Foundation, which continues to receive gifts and bequests from those who want to ensure that Greater Boston has a permanent endowment. The Boston Foundation also serves as a major civic leader, provider of information, convener, and sponsor of special initiatives designed to address the community's and the region's most pressing challenges. For more information about the Boston Foundation, visit our website, www.tbf.org or call 617-338-1700. Discretionary grants from the Boston Foundation are made possible through a family of funds known as the Permanent Fund for Boston, the Boston Foundation's discretionary endowment, which has allowed the Boston Foundation to make critical grants to support Greater Boston for over 90 years. The Permanent Fund for Boston exists today due to the generosity of donors, often through bequests, enabling the Foundation to meet the most pressing needs of our community. For more information about the Boston Foundation and its grant making, visit www.tbf.org, or call 617-338-1700.