ANNUAL GIVING
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Annual Giving?
Annual Giving is an opportunity for individuals, corporations, and foundations to make an annual, charitable gift to support the mission of the Long Center. Donor giving levels offer various benefits to enhance each patron’s overall performing arts experience.
Are contributions to Annual Giving tax deductible?
The Long Center is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, and charitable contributions are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowable by law. Giving levels include a variety of benefits that, if accepted, reduce the contribution by a slight amount. Donors can choose to waive benefits in lieu of receiving a full tax deduction for their gift.
Where do Annual Giving gifts go?
The day-to-day operating costs of the Long Center are designed to “break even” annually. Presenting income, ticket sales, and rental income will provide 70% of annual revenue. As a non-profit, community-owned arts facility, the Long Center relies on charitable contributions to provide the remaining 30% to balance the operating budget. Meeting this funding gap is vital in helping the Long Center:
· Keep tickets accessible to the widest possible audience
· Present extraordinary performances, fresh productions, and cutting-edge new work
· Provide a performance space for more than 200 local arts groups
If I made a gift to the Long Center’s Capital Campaign, why should I give to Annual Giving?
Thank you! More than 4,600 individuals, companies and foundations have shown their support by making charitable gifts to open the Long Center, exceeding our $77 million campaign goal. This has allowed the facility to be constructed entirely with private funds. The Long Center has opened its doors debt-free, but will require charitable gifts to balance its annual operating budget.
As a capital campaign contributor, do I receive any special benefits if I give to Annual Giving?
Capital Campaign contributors received special opportunities to be acknowledged through naming opportunities at the Long Center. Annual Giving donors are recognized for annual contributions, not cumulative giving. See Annual Giving levels and benefits for more information.
Why don’t you raise ticket prices and rental fees to balance the operating budget without Annual Giving?
The mission of the Long Center is to create and manage a world-class facility that will serve the broad spectrum of artists in Austin and Central Texas. Our performing arts organizations from the smallest to the largest deserve a place to perform and to attract the widest possible audience. To serve the needs of our community, the Long Center is committed to setting reasonable ticket prices and rental fees. Our goal is to be a place the entire community can call “home”.
Can I designate my Annual Giving contribution to a specific activity or project?
Most Annual Giving donations are “unrestricted”, which allow us to apply them to the areas of greatest need and to all Long Center programs and projects for the year. Donors who are interested may choose to restrict their gift to one or more of the following programs:
Programming Excellence Fund - Helping to attract and present a variety of performances from local, regional, and national artists and arts organizations, representative of Austin’s diverse culture.
Community Outreach Fund - Helping to reach out to underserved audiences and provide complimentary or discounted tickets
Boost Program - Helping to provide up to 100% of the facility rental cost to a deserving performing artist/group
Can my company “match” my Annual Giving contribution?
Many corporations have matching gift programs that match or even double employee contributions to non-profit organizations. The Long Center is a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization that meets most company eligibility guidelines for matching gifts. Check with your employer for details. The Long Center credits corporate matching gifts to the employee for recognition and benefits.
Who coordinates the Annual Giving program at the Long Center?
The Long Center’s Annual Giving program is organized by a committee of volunteers and coordinated by a Long Center staff member.
How can I make a gift to Annual Giving?
Internet
www.thelongcenter.org
click on “Give Now"
Phone
512-457-5119
Mail
Annual Giving
The Long Center
P.O. Box 301449
Austin, TX 78703
What types of gifts can be made?
Outright gifts to the Long Center may be made by cash, check, or credit card.
Annual Giving contributions may be pledged, and payments made over 12 months. Recurring monthly or quarterly charges may be set up via credit cards.
Gifts of stock may be an attractive gift method, as the donor can deduct the current fair market value as a charitable gifts and avoid capital gains tax on the appreciation.
For more information about Annual Giving, or to make a gift to the Long Center, please contact:
Jennifer Bengali
Manager, Annual Giving
The Long Center for the Performing Arts
P.O. Box 301449
Austin, TX 78703
direct 512.457.5119
main 512.457.5100 ext. 119
cell 512.698.6348
fax 512.482.0700
jbengali@thelongcenter.orgwww.thelongcenter.org