Supporting Theatre in Ontario

STRATFORD, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - April 29, 2015) - Department of Canadian Heritage

Gary Schellenberger, Member of Parliament (Perth-Wellington), on behalf of the Honourable Shelly Glover, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, today announced that the Stratford Festival is benefiting from a boost of $970,057 to its fundraising efforts through the Stratford Shakespearean Festival Endowment Foundation.

The Government of Canada is providing funds to Stratford Shakespearean Festival Endowment Foundation to manage and invest on behalf of the Stratford Festival through the Endowment Incentives component of the Canada Cultural Investment Fund, which encourages Canadians to donate to professional arts organizations.
Quick Facts

• The Stratford Festival is the largest classical theatre company in North America. It presents about a dozen plays each year from April through October and draws about 500,000 visitors a year from across Canada, the U.S. and around the world.
• Now in its 63^rd season, the Festival has an annual economic impact of roughly $140 million a year and generates more than 3,000 full-time jobs.
• Since 2006-07, the Endowment Incentives component has provided more than $151 million to various endowment funds in Canada, while the private sector has provided $204 million, for a total of over $355 million.
• This year, the Government of Canada is matching 97 cents for every dollar donated by the private sector through the Endowment Incentives component.

Quotes

"Today's announcement demonstrates that we are serious about supporting organizations that enrich their community culturally and economically. We recognize the outstanding contribution the Stratford Festival has made to its community and to Canada over the past 62 years. We are proud to support the Stratford Shakespearean Festival Endowment Foundation alongside our private-sector and philanthropic partners."

-The Honourable Shelly Glover, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages

"Enjoying classical theatre at the Stratford Festival is a unique and inspiring cultural experience that enriches our quality of life. We are pleased to contribute to the Stratford Shakespearean Festival Endowment Foundation and to the success of Stratford's vibrant arts scene."

-Gary Schellenberger, Member of Parliament (Perth-Wellington)

"The Canada Cultural Investment Fund has been invaluable in establishing and growing the endowment fund for the Stratford Festival. The matching program encourages donors to give generously in the knowledge that the impact of their gifts will be matched by funds from the Department of Canadian Heritage."

-Dr. M. Lee Myers, President, Board of Directors, Stratford Shakespearean Festival Endowment Foundation

"We are extremely grateful to the Department of Canadian Heritage and the Government of Canada for this support. Thanks to this assistance and the generosity of our donors, the Festival has built an endowment fund of more than $75 million, a lasting legacy that will support the work of the Festival for generations to come. The earnings from the endowment help to fund our annual operating activities, allowing us greater achievement, particularly in the areas of training, education outreach and performance excellence."

-Anita Gaffney, Executive Director, Stratford Festival

Associated Links

Canada Cultural Investment Fund

Stratford Shakespearean Festival Endowment Foundation

Stratford Festival

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