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July 16, 2020 Giving Guide 2020

The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing Arts

Responding to the Crisis:

The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory is an example of an organization hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.  We are 86% dependent on earned revenue, which evaporated nearly overnight.  We are a relatively young organization at twelve years old, and do not have an endowment.  We will be closed longer than most others, as we are in Governor Baker’s “Phase 4” reopening; and once we do reopen we will be implementing a broad scope of protections for audiences, performers, volunteers and staff that will result in additional costs.  Based on a hopeful re-opening in October 2020, we estimate $4.5 million in lost revenue, translating to a $1.7 million loss on the bottom line.  We created The Hanover Theatre Covid-19 Resiliency Fund to help bridge the financial gap presented by the pandemic. Tax deductible donations to the fund will keep our organization strong, working towards re-opening in the fall to serve the cultural needs of our community and continue to make an impact on the vibrancy and growth of downtown Worcester.

Future Goals

1. Become a vibrant, cultural destination by:

  • presenting high-quality, high-demand programming at the theatre;
  • building on the success of our conservatory by delivering exceptional performing arts education to youth and adults in the community;
  • managing the new BrickBox Theatre in partnership with the Worcester Cultural Coalition to bring a diverse array of programming to attract new audiences and be a resource for the region’s burgeoning arts and cultural sector; and
  • activating and maintaining the Francis Carroll Plaza as a beautiful outdoor performing arts venue open and accessible to neighbors, visitors and local businesses. 

2. Build our organizational capacity by significantly increasing our annual contributed income and building an endowment to secure our long-term sustainability; leveraging our tremendous impact over 12 years of operation to continue the important work of creating a vibrant cultural destination in downtown Worcester. 

3. Commit to increasing diversity, equity and inclusion across all areas of our organization, including the board of directors, staff, volunteers, students and audiences; actively present diversity in our programming and event offerings to broaden our audience base and be more representative of the racial and ethnic makeup of our community; provide greater access to the community through conservatory scholarships, BrickBox Theatre programs and events and free outdoor cultural events on the new plaza.

Giving Opportunities

Members play an important role in keeping our nonprofit organization strong and serving the cultural need of our community.  Memberships start at $75 and offer a variety of benefits and engagement opportunities, from Friend level memberships to our season ticket package, the All Access Club.  Individuals or corporate partners may choose to become a member of our leadership donor group, the Franklin Square Society, providing exclusive benefits and the best amenities the theatre has to offer.   

Donating to the Access to the Arts Fund supports educational outreach programs and conservatory scholarships that make the performing arts accessible to members of our community who cannot afford to participate. 

You may also consider joining the 1926 Legacy Society with a planned gift to secure the theatre’s future for generations to come, or make a donation to the Don Phipps Mighty Wurlitzer Organ Fund to support the maintenance and programming of the theatre’s magnificent theatre pipe organ.

Many of our promotional partners advertise with us and provide in-kind donations as part of an overall cooperative marketing package.  Email diane@thehanovertheatre.org to discuss your options for regularly reaching over 150,000 affluent, educated and active consumers.

Volunteer Opportunities

We are grateful to our hundreds of volunteers who serve the theatre through many important positions. The theatre welcomes over 190,000 patrons each year and we rely on our corps of volunteers to help deliver the very best in customer service.  Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis, but applicants are only contacted once a year.  We conduct interviews in August so that the intensive, required training is complete before the start of each new season. The Hanover Theatre’s volunteers are rewarded first and foremost with our gratitude for their time and talent, as well as a host of other benefits. It is our pleasure to invite you to apply to join our team of dedicated volunteer ushers, ticket takers, greeters and gardeners.  Would you prefer to volunteer in our administrative offices?  Support is always welcome.  Contact David MacArthur at david@thehanovertheatre.org to find a volunteer position that’s right for you.

Fundraising Opportunities

One of the ways we recognize the invaluable in-kind donation of our volunteers is by hosting The Hanover Theatre Annual Volunteer Recognition Night. It honors over 250 volunteers who provide thousands of hours of service to the theatre and help ensure a magical and memorable experience for audiences. We invite businesses to join us in honoring their hard work and dedication by contributing a prize, gift certificate, merchandise or special coupon for this special celebration, at which every volunteer receives a unique gift. Representation at our event will not only impact the volunteers, but also the 190,000 patrons with whom they interact throughout the year. For more information, contact David MacArthur at 508.471.1758.

The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing Arts

MISSION STATEMENT

To foster a love and appreciation for the performing arts in audiences of today and tomorrow

The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing Arts

2 Southbridge Street
Worcester, MA 01608

Phone: 877-571-7469 

TheHanoverTheatre.org

Full-time employees: 27

Annual revenues: $10,304,000 

Year founded: 2002

Service area: The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory serves a loyal base of ticket buyers, subscribers, members and students throughout central New England, from Boston to western Massachusetts, southern New Hampshire, northeastern Connecticut and Rhode Island.

Top funding sources:

Ticket sales & fees: 73%

Membership: 5% 

Conservatory tuition: 5%

Board of Directors

Troy Siebels, President & CEO

Steve Joseph, Unum, Chairperson

Lisa McDonough, Community Volunteer, Vice Chair

Kristin Albright, Liberty Mutual, Secretary

Charlie Valade, United Bank (retired), Treasurer

Marie Angelini 

Tracy Barlok, College of the Holy Cross

Thomas J. Bartholomew, Bartholomew & Company

Maureen F. Binienda, Worcester Public Schools

Lisa M. Carroll, Small Business Service Bureau, Inc.

Francesco Cesareo, PhD, Assumption College

Marianne Felice, MD, University of Massachusetts Medical School

Ivan Green

Linda S. Larrivee, PhD, Worcester State University

Richard Lavey, Hanover Insurance Group

Helder Machado, Machado Consulting

Michael V. O’Brien, WinnCompanies

R. Norman Peters, Esq, Peters & Sowyrda

Kimberly A. Rozak, Esq, Mirick O’Connell

Ellen Savickas, Community Volunteer

Edwin Shea, Bank of America

Michael Sleeper, Imperial Distributors

Carolyn J. Stempler, Carolyn & June Designs

Thomas J. Sullivan, Sullivan, Garrity & Donnelly Insurance Agencies

Kellie Thibodeau, Hanover Insurance Group

Tracy V. Wells, Hanover Insurance Group