Foundation Invests in Plan to Renovate Landmark
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe Dubois County Community Foundation has announced its largest-ever donation to support a downtown Jasper revitalization project. The $100,000 grant will go toward Next Act Inc.'s effort to purchase and breathe new life into the historic Astra Theatre. November 19, 2014
News Release
DUBOIS COUNTY, Ind. – Dubois County Community Foundation announces a $100,000 grant to Next Act, Inc., a nonprofit that intends to acquire the historic Astra Theatre downtown Jasper.
“The Community Foundation has long envisioned making a grant of this significance toward a community project,” said Brad Ward, CEO, Dubois County Community Foundation.
“The fact it is bridging generations of leaders, partnering with a strong institution like Jasper Community Arts, benefiting our downtown, re-purposing a historic theatre, and launching a new era for the performing arts is beyond what we could have imagined.”
This grant is the largest made in the Foundation’s history and will support the initial fundraising campaign of $465,000.
“We are excited and honored to receive this $100,000 matching grant to stimulate Next Act's campaign to save and endow the Astra Theatre,” said Marc Steczyk, President of Next Act, Inc.
Over the course of this year, the Community Foundation began talking with individuals and organizations about the possibility of revitalizing the Astra.
“We heard clearly that this is an asset that still matters to our community,” Ward said.
Although the Astra has sat vacant for 12 years, it was recently used for a handful of shows, including a live performance by Will Read and Sing for Food hosted by the Foundation this past April.
Next Act, Inc. seeks ownership of the Astra Theatre as an asset for preservation and reuse as well as to create an endowment to give sustainability to future needs of the building.
“We’re looking ahead and want to assure the future of this community asset, so, it was critical to build an endowment as part of our fundraising efforts from day one,” Steczyk said.
The grant was made possible from the Foundation’s Community Endowments which consist of over 50 named endowments from individuals, businesses and community groups with unrestricted purpose to respond to community needs and opportunities.
“The Foundation supports past generations, current generations and future generations and this project has the opportunity to tie all three together,” said Bill Kaiser, Foundation Board President.
Contributions to the Astra project can be accepted in any amount and at any time. To learn more, visit www.dccommunityfoundation.org or call the Foundation at 482-5295.
Source: Dubois County Community Foundation