Westport Country Playhouse Receives Newman's Own Foundation Challenge Grant

Westport Country Playhouse has been awarded a $75,000 Challenge Grant from Newman's Own Foundation to increase individual donor support. The Challenge launched on Tuesday, December 2, 2014, to coincide with #GivingTuesday, a national day of philanthropy, and runs through Wednesday, December 31, 2014.

The Newman's Own Foundation Challenge Grant will help the Playhouse build long-term organizational capacity and stability, increasing awareness of the Playhouse's role as an important nonprofit cultural resource, and inspiring loyal patrons to invest beyond the price of a ticket.

"Newman's Own Foundation has played an important role in the Playhouse's success, and a generous challenge grant last year inspired hundreds of individuals to invest in high quality, live theater in their community," said Michael Ross, Playhouse managing director. "Again this year, we are grateful to Newman's Own Foundation for their encouragement of philanthropy to strengthen our region. As a non-profit theater, we're relying on our friends throughout the area to help us match this generous gift, dollar-for-dollar, in support of our Playhouse."

With only one-third of the non-profit's operating costs paid for via ticket sales, the Playhouse hopes the Challenge will inspire audiences, and particularly subscribers, to invest in the theater's mission. Gifts can be made online at www.westportplayhouse.org/support, or by calling the Playhouse at 203/571.1138.

"Westport Country Playhouse is a cultural cornerstone for the region," said Lisa Walker, managing director of Newman's Own Foundation. "We are so pleased to award this grant and hope that others in the community are likewise inspired to support the Playhouse's valuable programming."

The Playhouse and the Foundation share a common connection in Paul Newman. Newman's Own Foundation is the independent foundation created by Newman to continue his philanthropic legacy. Together, Paul Newman and his wife, former Playhouse artistic director Joanne Woodward, were instrumental in creating the Playhouse as it exists today.