YOU ARE HELPING BUILD A MORE VIBRANT COMMUNITY

Great River Educational Arts Theatre (GREAT) enriches lives and builds lasting connections by challenging, educating, entertaining, and inspiring through various high-quality theatrical experiences. Each year we provide opportunities that astound, inspire, and transform over 62,000 community members through a myriad of programming including:

GREAT’s education outreach programming includes:

  • In-school & after-school musical-in-a-week residencies | 7 elementary schools, 400+ fifth graders, 1700+ classmates, friends and family in the audience
  • Drama workshops with community partners | 975+ youth participated – all at NO COST to the partner organization OR the youth – thanks to support from donors like you!Community partners include: Boys and Girls Club of Central Minnesota, Too Much Talent, Promise Neighborhood, District 742, D. Blake Center, and YMCA
  • Performance opportunities | 200+ cast and crew roles working with professional artists, building stage skills and life skills.
  • Student matinees | 5000+ students attending each year, for many this is their first live theatre experience. The average ticket costs 70% less than the average public ticket, with many of them being free. This is made possible by donors.
  • Youth Artist Project | 33 high school students (and counting!) have with work mentors to direct and design a show. GREAT received an innovation award for this project!
  • Summer Theatre Camps | Nearly 1000 youth ages 3-18 throughout Central MN. We offer pick-your-price registration with nearly $40,000 awarded in scholarships annually.

It’s through these opportunities that so many people are introduced to theatre. These experiences build life skills and foster personal growth that are critical to shaping our community’s future.

Beyond specific education programming for youth, arts education is also integrated into our live performance programming for all ages. The act of creating theatre in and of itself is art that develops creativity and skills. From sewing costumes, to building sets, to assisting backstage, to character development, singing, dancing, and the teamwork that performing onstage fosters, the skills developed vary across each aspect of creating theatre.

GREAT’s productions & performance programming includes:

  • Broadway Series – Five high-quality musicals and plays performed at the 800-seat historic Paramount Center for the Arts produced by our professional artistic staff featuring all local volunteer actors. 
  • Lab Series – Shows at our intimate and adaptable 150-seat Helgeson Learning Lab Theatre that bring audiences closer to the stories being told through a wide range of theatrical productions such as lesser known titles, collaborations, and work that challenges us to grow and learn.

We believe theatre has the power to elicit empathy, connect disparate communities, and create bonds that defy socio-economic class, race, gender, and age. Through our productions, volunteers build skills such as confidence, collaboration, and creativity as well as meaningful connections to others. Audiences have the opportunity to gather with friends, family and co-workers to be entertained as well be inspired, educated, and challenged through the stories being told. Our education and outreach programming pathways are created for youth to engage in arts, build confidence, strengthen leadership and teamwork skills, and deepen relationships. This is the foundation of pathways for the future and will have lasting impact for years to come. Collectively, this work transforms how our entire community works and grows together.

DONATE TODAY

It’s the generosity of people like you that help us bring our community together through theatrical storytelling experiences that inspire, educate, challenge, and entertain. Donate today to help sustain and expand these theatre arts opportunities that transform individuals and our community.  Every gift, of every size, contributes to endless opportunities.

Bequests, trusts, life insurance, and other gift plan options can have a long-term meaningful impact on Great River Educational Arts Theatre. Your deferred gift will ensure continued success and sustainability of GREAT’s programs for years to come. 

GIFT PLAN LETTER OF INTENT

Your interest in supporting GREAT demonstrates your understanding of the profound impact of community theatre in enriching the lives of individuals and the power it has to inspire, educate, and unite our community. We are open to discussing the details of our intended support, including any specific requirements or expectations you may have. Thank you for your dedication to the arts and considering gift options to ensure GREAT’s continued success and sustainability.

The information presented below is meant to illustrate possible planned giving options. None of the information presented here should be considered tax or legal advice. Consult a professional financial planner, professional tax advisor, or attorney to better understand your planned giving options. 

Legal Name: Great River Educational Arts Theatre
Federal ID Number: 41-1909918
GREAT Contact: Lacey Schirmers | Lacey@GREATTheatre.org

 

RETIREMENT PLAN

A donation of all or part of an IRA or other qualified retirement account can prevent these funds from a double tax burden for her beneficiaries. Because many retirement plans are not taxed as income throughout your life, they may be subject to both income and estate taxes at the time of your death. Whether you leave a retirement plan to a trust or designate GREAT as a direct beneficiary, you can make your estate less vulnerable to taxation.

 

LIFE INSURANCE

It is easy to name GREAT as a beneficiary to a life insurance policy that you may no longer need. It may be a policy which has all payments made, one on which you are still paying premiums, or a new policy.

 

BEQUESTS

A bequest to GREAT can be easily included in your Will or other estate planning documents. You can bequeath a percentage of your estate, a lump sum, the remainder of your estate after you have provided for other beneficiaries, or even an amount contingent on who survives you. 

Sample bequest language: 

For Wills: “The personal representative must distribute ________ to Great River Educational Arts Theatre, Waite Park, Minnesota.” 

For Trusts: “On my death, the trustee must distribute ________ to Great River Educational Arts Theatre, Waite Park,  Minnesota.” 

Your gift description may include any of the following: 

  1. General Bequest – a specific dollar amount. Example: The personal representative must distribute $10,000 to Great River Educational Arts Theatre, Waite Park, Minnesota.
  2. Specific Bequest – a specific item of property. Example: The personal representative must distribute all [name of company] stock to Great River Educational Arts Theatre, Waite Park, Minnesota.
  3. Residual Bequest – a portion of the remainder of your estate after all of your debts have been paid and specific bequests given out. Example: The personal representative must distribute 10% of my residuary estate to Great River Educational Arts Theatre, Waite Park, Minnesota.
  4. Contingent Bequest – a bequest that takes effect under certain conditions. Example: If my  spouse does not survive me, the personal representative must distribute [the described property] to Great River Educational Arts Theatre, Waite Park, Minnesota.

You may want to include a purpose for the gift: “My gift is to be used for ________ .” 

This language might include: 

  • further the mission of the organization
  • provide support for a specific population or program
  • establish or add to a permanent endowment

Before adding specific restrictions to your gift, we recommend that you talk with the GREAT contact listed to ensure that these restrictions will not prevent our organization from being able to accept the gift.

 

CHARITABLE TRUSTS

Trusts provide extremely versatile options for increasing income, reducing tax burdens, and making a meaningful gift to Great River Educational Arts Theatre (“GREAT”). Your professional tax advisor or attorney can help you choose the type of charitable trust that will meet your income and tax needs. 

Charitable Remainder Trusts
Charitable Remainder Trusts allow you or your beneficiaries to earn income on your investments for many years. When you create a Charitable Remainder Trust, you receive a payment, usually annually, and GREAT receives the balance of the Trust after the term has completed. Charitable Remainder Trusts provide remarkable tax benefits because you receive a sizable deduction when you create the Trust and you will avoid up-front capital gains taxes by creating a trust from appreciated assets. 

Charitable Lead Trusts
Charitable Lead Trusts allow you to provide for your beneficiaries while supporting GREAT. When you create a Charitable Lead Trust, GREAT will receive an annual payment for a specified number of years, and your designated beneficiaries will receive the balance of the Trust after the term of years has completed. This Trust option can also provide a significant gift and estate tax benefit at the time of the gift, and allows you to make a sizable gift to GREAT while providing for your family.