support

Did you know that ticket sales cover barely half the cost of producing each musical? The Encore depends on the generosity of supporters like you to continue bringing exceptional productions to life.

And now your gift can have twice the impact through January 31st, thanks to generous anonymous donors who will match your donation 1:1. Every dollar you donate will be matched 100% up to $75,000!

Your donation makes a real difference — bringing extraordinary artists to our stage, inspiring and educating young performers, keeping theatre accessible to all, preserving The Encore’s historic home, and making southeast Michigan an even better place to live.

We have already surpassed our initial $50,000 goal—thanks to an incredible early response! Due to this success, ANOTHER DONOR HAS STEPPED UP to match an additional $25,000! 

Every gift helps move the bar and keeps The Encore’s work thriving in our community.

  • $75,000 Match Goal 72% 72%

WHY GIVE?

“The arts are not for the privileged few, but for the many. Their place is not on the periphery of daily life, but at its center. The arts function not merely as another form of entertainment but, rather, they contribute significantly to our well-being and happiness.”

John D. Rockefeller III

Since our beginning in Dexter, The Encore has made a significant contribution to our community. The Encore has:

  • Produced over 160 productions
  • Shared the talents of over 70 Broadway professionals
  • Educated and inspired more than 1,700 students
  • Employed more than 2,500 local artists 
  • Contributed to the $100 MILLION in total economic activity that is generated by the nonprofit arts & culture sector in the Greater Ann Arbor Area. Click HERE to see Creative Washtenaw’s 2022 economic impact study.
  • Provided each person leaving The Encore with a story to tell.

Donate Today

INDIVIDUAL GIVING

The Encore’s Story Isn’t Complete Without You

Your gift today helps us do what we do best – create extraordinary theatre. You’re investing in the cultural heartbeat of our community, supporting a dedicated team of professional artists and staff, and helping to preserve the historic Copeland building for future generations. Each donation creates lasting memories and ensures that The Encore continues to thrive for years to come.

CIRCLES OF GIVING:

Becoming a member of our Circles of Giving begins with as little as $100 and your tax-deductible contribution helps us bring the joy of quality musical theatre to our community, making a difference right here at home. Learn more about our giving levels and their perks.

DONOR ADVISED FUND (DAF)***

A donor-advised fund (DAF) is a simple, flexible, and tax-efficient way to support The Encore. A DAF works like a charitable investment account designed exclusively for giving. You receive an immediate tax deduction when you contribute to your DAF, and then your funds grow tax-free for donating to your favorite non-profits.

If your philanthropic vision includes nurturing emerging artists, supporting professional musical theatre close to home, strengthening the region’s economic vitality, or preserving historic spaces, a gift through your DAF to The Encore Musical Theatre Company can make a meaningful and lasting impact. 

IRA REQUIRED MINIMUM DISTRIBUTION (RMD)***

Did you know? If you have an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) and are at least 70.5 years old, you can realize tax advantages by using your required minimum IRA distribution (RMD) to support The Encore.

You are eligible to make a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) of up to $108,000 (in 2025) of your RMD to The Encore if you are at least 70.5 years old and you decline any goods or services in exchange for the gift.

To donate using your RMD, you may contact your IRA administrator and request a direct charitable distribution. You will need The Encore’s federal tax ID number: 26-1663425.

QCDs are excluded from taxable income. Designating The Encore as a recipient of your RMD potentially lowers your income tax liability.

For more information, please contact Cheryl Willoughby at (317) 600-4943 or Cheryl@theencoretheatre.org

*** Please consult with your Financial Advisor, attorney, or tax preparer.

Please fill out this IRA Transfer Notification Form and return to Cheryl@theencoretheatre.org so that we can properly recognize you for your generosity.

Donate Today

planned giving/

LEGACY

Leave a legacy for The Encore

 

PLANNED GIVING

Please help us sustain the work that we do by arranging a planned gift for The Encore. Your generosity will enable theatergoers to enjoy programming at The Encore well into the future and will help us continue to offer outstanding experiences to our surrounding area. If you choose to include The Encore in your estate plans, please let us know so we can personally thank you for making such a vital and important commitment to The Encore.

Making The Encore a beneficiary of your retirement plan is both tax-efficient and as easy as changing the beneficiary form with your IRA administrator and designating The Encore Musical Theatre Company as a primary, contingent, or partial beneficiary.

 

LEGACY CIRCLE

Legacy donors provide The Encore with a final gift to ensure that The Encore will continue to thrive and serve our community for generations to come. Remembering The Encore in your Will or Estate Plans can be as simple as adding the following sentence:

I hereby bequeath to The Encore Musical Theatre Company of Dexter, Michigan the sum of $_______ (or ____%) of my estate.

Donors who notify The Encore of legacy gift plans will be added to our Legacy Circle, which includes special recognition, exclusive access to artists, and special event opportunities.

 

Thank you for considering a gift to support The Encore’s future!

For more information, please contact Cheryl Willoughby at (317) 600-4943 or Cheryl@theencoretheatre.org.

    production sponsorsHIP

    Supporting The Encore’s award-winning productions and important educational programs is an innovative and cost-effective way to give something back to the communities you serve while achieving your business’ advertising and marketing goals. Through sponsorship at The Encore, your company will achieve many of its public relations, marketing, and outreach goals while fostering an appreciation for the performing arts.

    With close to 20,000 people visiting The Encore annually, your support keeps a critical community asset alive and ensures that we remain an economic catalyst for the region. Your investment helps The Encore offer exceptional programming, employment opportunities and arts education to our community.

    We offer a variety of promotional benefits:

    • Recognition in nightly pre-performance announcement
    • Recognition on our website
    • Recognition on posters
    • Full-page ad in the program (for businesses) for sponsored show 
    • Social media shoutouts during the period of your show sponsorship
    • Signed poster from the cast and creative team

     

    For more information, please contact Cheryl Willoughby at (317) 600-4943 or Cheryl@theencoretheatre.org