$7.9 Million Raised in One Day at Silicon Valley Gives

TheatreWorks was the fourth largest recipient of funds out of 674 participating nonprofit organizations during yesterday's "Silicon Valley Gives" event. In celebration of the 100th anniversary of community foundations, Silicon Valley Community Foundation (SVCF) hosted the first-ever day of giving to benefit local nonprofits in the region. The effort provided over 14,000 unique donors the opportunity to connect with hundreds of local causes, encouraging them to take action in helping the community. Aimed to inspire and unite locals to support philanthropic causes, the 24-hour event collected an astounding $7.9 million in donations through a single online platform. TheatreWorks, the nationally acclaimed theatre of Silicon Valley, received $100,801 from a total of 125 donors, making it among the top recipients in funds raised. In addition, the theatre received two $5,000 matching grants, from the David and Lucile Packard Foundation and The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, raising its total to $110,801.

"We are immensely touched by this outpouring of support during 'Silicon Valley Gives,'" says Founding Artistic Director Robert Kelley. "What a glorious way to launch our 45th season. TheatreWorks accepts these gifts with enormous gratitude--they will certainly strengthen our commitment to visionary theatre that reflects this innovative community."

With some 100,000 patrons per year, TheatreWorks presents eight shows each year in Palo Alto and Mountain View, and has captured a national reputation for artistic innovation and integrity, often presenting Bay Area theatregoers with their first look at acclaimed musicals, comedies, and dramas. A home for artists developing new works, it was at TheatreWorks that Memphis, the 2010 Tony Award-winning musical was first work-shopped and received its World Premiere. One of the nation's leaders in cultivating and producing new musicals, each year TheatreWorks welcomes collaborating teams of established, as well as up-and-coming composers and playwrights for a Writers Retreat as well as an annual New Works Festival. In addition, TheatreWorks offers an education outreach program that reaches some 35,000 students annually with in-class workshops, student matinees, vacation camps, the Young Playwrights Project, the touring assembly Oskar Trilogy, and The Healing Project at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital. The company will kick off its 45th season in July with the World Premiere of The Great Pretender, developed at TheatreWorks.

For information on TheatreWorks, visit www.TheatreWorks.org, For additional details on Silicon Valley Gives visit: http://svgives.razoo.com/giving_events/svg14/home.