Support Berkeley Rep > 40th Anniversary Campaign > Financial strength

Financial strength

laying the foundation for a strong future

Eliminate mortgage

$2 million

The Bay Area community has helped us build one of the preeminent cultural centers in the country. Among the goals of the 40th Anniversary Campaign is to eliminate the nearly four million dollars of debt incurred from the construction of the Roda Theatre. Reducing almost $300,000 per year in financing costs will result in savings of over $2,000,000.

Build capacity

$1 million

Berkeley Rep aspires to achieve an earned to contributed ratio more comparable to that of opera companies and symphony orchestras. In 1990, the Theatre’s ratio of earned-to-contributed income was 80/20, an anomaly even within the world of theatre. This imbalance placed undue pressure on artistic programming to produce above average ticket revenue. Since then, the Theatre has consistently worked to transform that ratio while increasing the overall operating budget. To achieve the goal of a 50/50 earned-to-contributed ratio while also achieving budget growth, the theatre must invest in marketing and development initiatives. Attracting new audiences and new donors will allow the Theatre to grow and help it remain resilient in the face of a changing economic environment.

Expand endowment

$4 million

The Theatre’s financial plan is built on the assumption of budgetary growth supported by increased income. While much of that income arises from ticket sales and contributions, endowment earnings will play an increasingly larger role. The Doris Duke Foundation has committed funds that have doubled our small endowment from $1 million to $2 million, producing annual earnings of approximately $100,000. This is a foundation upon which we hope to grow. Funds from the 40th Anniversary Campaign are being used to initiate an enhanced planned giving program (The Michael Leibert Society) which, in concert with other restricted endowment gifts, will move us closer to achievement of an endowment comparable to those of our colleague theatres.

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