Dayton arts groups plan Day of Caring virtual fundraiser

UPDATED (June 26, 2020)

More than $40,000 was raised for Dayton performing arts groups through the first digital “Day of Giving” on Thursday, organizers announced today.

The fundraising initiative will continue through July 3.

“Day of Giving: Preserving the Heart of Live Performance” was organized by a group of Dayton performing arts groups after hundreds of performances and classes were canceled during the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in millions of dollars in lost revenue, arts leaders say.

“For our first year with this innovative initiative, we’re thrilled with the results,” said Ty Sutton, Dayton Live’s President & CEO, in a news release. “It’s remarkable that more than 275 donations came in across all the organizations, including gifts to the combined fund. The combined fund was by far the most popular donation destination – which only shows how much the Miami Valley values the performing arts as a whole.” Gifts to the combined fund will be divided equally between the six organizations.

“In addition to making donations at the DaytonLive.org website, patrons made donations by texting CREATE to 243 725. This was new technology for us. 25 gifts were raised via the ‘text to give’ campaign which all went to the combined fund,” Sutton continued. “More than $40,000 were raised for Dayton’s performing arts — and we’re not done yet!”

Participating organizations included: Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, Dayton Dance Initiative, Dayton Gay Men’s Chorus, Dayton Live (formerly Victoria Theatre Association), Dayton Performing Arts Alliance (Dayton Ballet, Dayton Opera, and Dayton Philharmonic), and The Human Race Theatre Company. Each organization took over the Dayton Live Facebook and Instagram accounts for an hour each throughout the 10-hour fund drive, sharing videos and images about their organization’s mission and impact.

How to donate:

Donations will be accepted through the DaytonLive.org website and via the Text to Give program (text CREATE to 243 725) through July 3.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE (June 25, 2020): How to support Dayton performing arts groups today during ‘Day of Giving’

In response to the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic on local arts organizations, some of Dayton’s performing arts groups are planning a virtual fundraising event today.

“Day of Giving: Preserving the Heart of Live Performance” will take place today, June 25, from noon to 10 p.m. Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, Dayton Dance Initiative, Dayton Gay Men’s Chorus, Dayton Live, Dayton Performing Arts Alliance (opera, orchestra and ballet), and the Human Race Theatre Company will participate in this virtual fundraiser.

>> PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Dayton arts community ‘facing a crisis’

“With our usual revenue streams severely curtailed, this is an incredibly difficult time for nonprofits – and Dayton’s performing arts organizations are no exception,” said Dayton Live President and CEO Ty Sutton in a statement. “Hundreds of performances have been canceled or postponed and millions of dollars of revenue have been lost. Dayton’s performing arts organizations have faced not just layoffs, furloughs and pay cuts, but also concerns about our very survival.”

Hosted on the DaytonLive.org website and social media channels (@DaytonLive365) with support from PNC Bank and The Schiewetz Foundation, the virtual fundraiser will begin with introductions from all the featured arts groups and a welcome from PNC Regional President Dave Melin. Afterward, each organization will take over Dayton Live's social media for an hour with posts, videos and more. A "Happy Hour" will occur at 5 p.m. and the evening will conclude with a final hour featuring "thank you" messages from each organization.

>> Dayton theater group cancels upcoming season

HOW TO DONATE

Donations can be made to the organization of choice through the DaytonLive.org website. Donations also can be made by texting CREATE to 243 725.

Donations can be made in advance of the virtual event at DaytonLive.org/day-of-giving or by texting CREATE to 243 725.

“Dayton has faced many hard times and its citizens have always rallied and risen again,” Sutton said. “The Victoria Theatre itself has survived wars, floods, fires, pandemics, economic downturns, and civil unrest – time and again. As in the past, the time has come for Dayton to rally around the arts that contribute so much to the quality of life in our region, the economic vitality of our downtown, and the education of our young people. We hope that this Day of Giving will inspire people from all over the Miami Valley to contribute to the viability of Dayton’s performing arts organizations.”

>> Local accountant Estelle Gibson’s financial independence message goes national