Challengers

So, this is exciting.

You may have already heard, judging from the number of the organizations involved, that the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan (CFSEM) has a huge campaign on August 18th. They will match 50% of all donations made to eligible organizations through their website, until the initial stake of matching funds ($1 million) is used up. Here's the announcement from CFSEM:

"Beginning on August 18th at 10am, the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, through the Community Foundation Challenge - Arts & Culture, is providing up to $1 million to match general operating gifts made online at www.cfsem.org to support participating arts and cultural organizations. A match of $1 will be provided for every $2 contributed."

We're in on this, and we could use it. As matching funds are available up to $200,000 per organization, we stand to gain a maximum of $600,000 in operating funds. At the risk of sounding like NPR, let me outline what "operating funds" means to us.

It means paying me, for one thing, as well as the rest of our staff. It goes towards making sure our audiences don't freeze when they come to see our shows. It means that we can continue bringing in quality artists and technicians, the folks who make us the Network. And it means that YOU can continue to have a groovy professional theatre right here in your own backyard.

The only catch is this: you must donate on the Community Foundation's website - www.cfsem.org - on August 18th, and you must do it fast (log on at 10 am). 75 groups are vying for the money, and experts predict it will be gone within hours...so act quickly to help your favorite arts organizations get a piece of the pie.

Please keep PNT in mind when the Challenge begins. We're doing K2 next year, and that mountain won't build itself.

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A few more details: Matching funds will be awarded on a "first gift, first match" basis. The matching program will end as soon as the $1 million of match funds are gone. Through the Community Foundation website, donors can choose one or more organizations to support using a simple menu to locate organizations participating in the challenge. Gifts must be made online by credit card or e-check and can range from $25 to $10,000 per contributor, per organization. Only completed gifts will be matched - no pledges.