Support MSIP
How to
Support MSIP
For 51 years Montana Shakespeare in the Parks has been building community traditions through free performances in your parks and in your schools. We couldn’t do this without you. In fact, 80% of our funds come from grants, sponsorships, and donations from supporters like you.
Ways To Give
Special Events & Partnerships
Artistic Director's Circle
Artistic Director’s Circle members receive special benefits including:
- Exclusive invitations to special events including Behind the Scenes, the annual Dream Event, and two tickets to The Elise Event, our annual fundraiser gala for Shakespeare in the Schools.
- Lunch or dinner with the Executive Artistic Director.
- Special recognition in the Summer Parks Tour program.
- Exclusive updates during MSIP’s three annual tours.
Friends of Montana Shakespeare in the Parks is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization (EIN 84-3393904) and donations are tax-deductible within the guidelines of U.S. law.
Founded in 2014, The Artistic Director’s Circle honors those who provide Montana Shakespeare in the Parks extraordinary support by making an annual commitment of $1,000 or more.
To join the Artistic Director’s Circle, give online or call/email Callie Hamilton at 406-994-3906 / callie.hamilton@montana.edu.
You may also mail a check to:
Friends of Montana Shakespeare in the Parks
PO Box 6214
Bozeman, MT 59771
Make A Monthly Gift
Become a Sustaining Supporter!
Montana Shakespeare in the Parks relies on monthly supporters to ensure the program’s long-term sustainability. Please consider becoming a sustaining supporter by pledging a monthly gift of any amount. Your pledge may be canceled or modified at any time, and we will send a complete tax statement at the end of the year documenting your total contributions.
Donors contributing $1,000 or more are recognized as part of the Artistic Director’s Circle and receive additional, exclusive benefits in recognition of their support. Learn more about joining the Artistic Director’s Circle.
To give by phone, call Callie Hamilton at 406-994-3906
To give by check, please mail your contribution to:
Friends of Montana Shakespeare in the Parks
PO Box 6214, Bozeman, MT 59771
Recognition Levels & Benefits
All donors will be listed in the summer parks tour program if donation is received before May 1st; donations received after May 1st will be listed in the following year’s program. Donors are recognized at the following levels:
Supporting Cast: $50-99
Thespian: $100 – $199
Lead Actor: $200 – $399
Stage Manager: $400 – $799
Patrons: $800 – $999
Benefactors: $1,000 – $2,499
Director’s: $2,500 – $4,999
Director’s Circle: $5,000 – $9,999
Producers: $10,000 – $19,999
Producer’s Circle: $20,000+
Friends of Montana Shakespeare in the Parks is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization (EIN 84-3393904) and donations are tax-deductible within the guidelines of U.S. law.
Make An In-Kind Gift
Help Support Live Theater With Other Types Of Donations
Montana Shakespeare in the Parks depends on generous donations from individuals and business partners in order to continue to bring high-quality productions to our audiences. However, not all contributions are in the form of financial support. In-kind giving refers to contributions of goods and services that are of value to a nonprofit organization. Businesses do it, corporations do it, and so do individual donors. All in-kind donations receive the same benefits as cash donations.
In-Kind Donations Include:
- Hosting a Fundraising Event
- Housing for Actors, Directors and Designers
- Donations of Vehicles
- Publicity
- Building Materials
- Food
- Equipment
For more information, please contact Callie Hamilton:
406-994-3906 or at callie.hamilton@montana.edu.
Make A Planned Gift
Hand On the Legacy of Free Theater to Future Generations
Planned gifts, such as gifts in your, annuities, and charitable remainder trusts help ensure the high-quality performances and educational programs MSIP offers today continue to impact communities for decades to come. By including MSIP in your estate plans you help secure the company’s financial future and help ensure our programs continue to grow and thrive over time.
There are many options for maximizing the impact of your gift, including dedicating it to the Montana Shakespeare in the Parks endowment fund, designating it for a program you are most passionate about, or designating your gift as unrestricted operating funds, allowing MSIP to use your gift where the need is greatest.
Ways to give:
- Charitable Gift Annuities
- Retirement Plans
- Life Insurance
- Stocks and Securities
- Real Estate
- Charitable Lead Trusts
- Charitable Remainder Trusts
- Will or Trust
To discuss planned giving options, please contact Callie Hamilton:
406.994.3906 or at callie.hamilton@montana.edu.
Informing us of your plans is important. We want to ensure that we honor your intentions for your gift and the impact you wish to make for Montana Shakespeare in the Parks. If you have already made a long-range commitment to MSIP, please download our gift declaration form here and return it to callie.hamilton@montana.edu, or by mail to:
Montana Shakespeare in the Parks
ATTN: Callie Hamilton
PO Box 174120
Bozeman, MT 59717-4120
Behind the Scenes
Exclusive Sneak Peek!
Held each June, summer tour sponsors and Artistic Director’s Circle donors get a sneak preview into the magic behind bringing our summer productions to life! During this reception, we open the costume, prop, and scene shops and treat guests to presentations from each production’s director.
Become an Artistic Director’s Circle donor today!
The Elise Event
The Elise Event is a chance for friends of Montana Shakespeare in the Parks to gather and raise support for MSIP’s Shakespeare in the Schools program. Join us for a performance of this year’s Shakespeare in the Schools’ production of Macbeth. The performance will be followed by a lively Q&A and mingling with the cast, MSIP Artistic Director & Staff, dinner, and a partially-hosted bar.
Celebrating
Elise Donohue
Saturday, November 4 2023
Tickets will go on sale October 2, 2023
Your ticket includes open seating during the performance, a reception, and two drink tickets. Seating is first-come, first-served.
6:00 p.m. – Cocktails, morsels, & music at the Black Box Theater
6:45 p.m. – Shakespeare in the Schools performance of As You Like It & talkback
8:45 p.m. – Join the cast for more cocktails, heavy hors d’oeuvres, and music
9:30 p.m. – Bid adieu.
About The Elise Event
Named for late benefactor Elise R. Donohue, The Elise Event is a celebration of Shakespeare in the Schools honoring Elise’s remarkable dedication to the arts in our community. The Elise Event began in 2002, when Elise bid on an auction item for a private performance of a Shakespeare in the Schools’ production. Recognizing the production’s value to the community, Elise gifted the performance back to the public, allowing others to experience the marvelous production. From that initial public performance, the Elise Event was born. Now in its 20th year, the Elise Event has grown over time to become a treasured annual celebration.
Known and loved to many in the Gallatin Valley, Elise was an ardent advocate for the performing arts and a dedicated supporter of numerous institutions. Her family carries on her generous spirit and passionate advocacy of the arts by providing the community an opportunity to learn about Shakespeare in the Schools and pass on the torch of Shakespeare’s masterpieces to future generations.
“Students should see Shakespeare because language is important and I believe we should allow the arts to transform us and enable us to live a thoughtful life.”
– Elise R. Donohue
Season Support & Sponsors
Our foundation and corporate sponsors make each season possible! We rely on the generosity of sponsors to offset production costs and ensure MSIP is able to reach communities and schools throughout our region. IN return, sponsors gain exposure to a wide audience and creative opportunities for recognition.
We are proud to have sponsorship opportunities available for businesses of any size, and our sponsorship packages may be customized to meet your business’s needs. To learn more about coming a sponsor, please contact Callie Hamilton at 406-994-3906 or at callie.hamilton@montana.edu.
2022-2023 Season Sponsors:
2023 Summer Parks Tour Sponsors:
(Including all of the sponsors above)
