Individual Support

While our Main Stage season is the most recognizable face of Cal Shakes, work on our two other core programs— Artistic Learning and New Works/New Communities—continues all year. Through these three programs, Cal Shakes brings the experience of Shakespeare and the classics to a broad cross section of Bay Area community members. We depend on the support of our Champions through contributions to our annual fund to continue our award-winning work on stage and our outreach to underserved communities and schools throughout the Bay Area.

HOW YOUR $ HELPS:
$250 helps bring 125 underserved youth to one of our student matinees via BART.
$1,000 funds three scholarships to one of our Summer Theater Programs.
$2,500 pays for one custom-made period costume and wig.
$5,000 underwrites 10 actors in a week-long development workshop for a New Works/New Communities project.

We invite you to join the Cal Shakes family by becoming a Champion. In addition to enjoying great benefits, such as opportunities to interact with artists, special VIP treatment, and discounts offered exclusively to Cal Shakes supporters, Cal Shakes Champions know that their dollars directly support our award-winning work onstage and our meaningful work in schools and communities throughout the Bay Area.

You can also become a Cal Shakes volunteer. Our volunteers help in many different areas of the organization, including ushering and selling raffle tickets at our theater, supporting the Theater Store, aiding our administrative offices and giving a hand at our annual Gala.

Championship

Championship is different than subscribing and means so much more than pre-placed blankets and reserved picnic tables. Donations from our members make up the lion’s share of our budget and play a significant role in supporting our mission to make Shakespeare and the classics accessible to everyone, regardless of age or background. We work year-round, providing educational programs across the Bay Area and partnering with diverse communities to develop new plays. None of this could be done without the generous support of our members.

Donate online and you will begin to enjoy the benefits of your Cal Shakes Championship right away. You may also download a donation pledge form, return the form with your payment to 701 Heinz Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94710. Or call 510.548.3422 x107, M-F, 10am-6pm to make a gift by phone.

There are benefits at every level of giving. Find yours today!

Click here or on the image above to view our Championship benefits list, or click here to download a pdf.

Audience Ask
At the end of each performance, we ask our audience members to dig through their pockets and donate whatever they can. We call this the Audience Ask. Some people have questioned why we ask for your spare dollars on top of the many generous donations we already receive.

The answer is that we believe that we believe everyone, regardless of who you are or where you come from, should have access to Shakespeare and the classics. So, in addition to our Main Stage work, we also offer educational programming that spans the East Bay, and collaborate with a wide variety of communities to develop new plays and build lasting artistic relationships.

None of this would be possible without the generosity of our patrons. In 2008, we raised $31,029 through Audience Ask donations. The Audience Ask may seem like small change, but that small change adds up in a big way.

In-Kind
Goods and services are just as important as cash. Maybe you have items that would sell well at an auction or make a great raffle prize. Perhaps a bottle of wine, extra tickets to see the Giants or the opera, or a weekend at your vacation home. We also gratefully accept donations of services such as catering, video production, and landscaping.

For more information about donating goods or services, please contact Beth Sandefur, Special Events & Membership Manager, at 510.548.3422 x125 or bsandefur@calshakes.org.

Installments
We know times are tough. Did you know that you can make your gift in installments? Pay half now and half later or set up a recurring monthly fee. Whether you make your entire gift upfront or spread it out over the season, you still enjoy the same benefits.

To make a donation in installments, contact Ian LaRue, Donor Relations Coordinator at 510.548.3422 x107 or ilarue@calshakes.org.

Planned Giving
Our Legacy Circle recognizes generous donors who are participating in Cal Shakes’ future in a very meaningful way. By designating Cal Shakes as a beneficiary of your Estate though a bequest or other type of planned gift such as a trust or annuity, you will be supporting the Theater in perpetuity. Legacy Circle members’ future promised gifts to Cal Shakes’ Endowment will help to strengthen the organization’s foundations and secure its financial health so that audiences may continue to enjoy thrilling theatrical experiences in our stunning setting.

For information on how to become a member of the Legacy Circle or for additional information about making a planned gift or bequest to Cal Shakes, please click here or contact Megan Barton at 510.548.3422, x122 or mbarton@calshakes.org.

Stock Gifts
A gift of stock is one of the many easy ways to make a gift to Cal Shakes. Your gift of stock is recognized at the full market value at the time of transfer. To ensure proper recognition of your gift, please Ian LaRue, Donor Relations Coordinator at 510.548.3422 x107 or ilarue@calshakes.org or click here to download complete information and instructions for transferring securities electronically.

Gifts of stock can be transferred to:
Linsco/Private Ledger (LPL)
Acct. Title: California Shakespeare Theater
Acct. #: 7306-3027
DTC #: 0075
Tax ID: 51-0169452

Or click here to download complete information and instructions for transferring securities electronically.

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