Make Your Gift to Support USITT
Your Generosity is Critical to Making Our Programming Possible!
Choose Your Fund Below
Every year USITT raises money to support member services and programming and to enhance its ability to provide lifelong learning and professional development opportunities. Your contributions help USITT fund research and development projects, recognize and reward member accomplishments, promote health and safety in the industry, and support the vital work of building a more inclusive design and technology community. Thank you!
The USITT Culture of Philanthropy mirrors USITT Values
INCLUSION
Tayneshia Jefferson Fund for Inclusion - This fund is the cornerstone of USITT’s efforts to grow opportunities for underrepresented populations in management, design, and technology, and supporting initiatives, programs, scholarships, and other activities that promote equity, diversity, and inclusion of underrepresented people in USITT and the industry.
Our Diversity Initiative, including the Collier Robert Woods, Jr. Scholarship and the LDI/Pat MacKay Diversity in Design Scholarship, are supported through this fund, as is the David Grindle Leadership Fund.
EXCELLENCE
New Century Fund for Young Professionals - This fund supports initiatives for the next generation of design and technology professionals, including funding the Young Designers, Managers, & Technicians Awards. The awards include:
- KM Fabrics Award in Technical Production
- Robert E. Cohen Sound Achievement Award
- Zelma H. Weisfeld Costume Design & Technology Award
- Bernhard R. Works, Frederick A Buerki Scenic Technology Award
- Barbara Matera Award in Costume Making sponsored by Just Adamson
- Barbizon Lighting Company Jonathan Resnick Lighting Award
- USITT Scene Design Award sponsored by Rose Brand
- Bernhard R. Works Master Crafts Award
- USITT Makeup Design Award sponsored by Kryolan Professional Make-Up
- USITT Stage Management Award
- Richard Hay Undergraduate Scene Design Award
Edward F. Kook Fund for Research
Small and large projects that will advance the industry are supported through this fund. It provided a portion of the seed money to develop the LED Ellipsoidal Fixture and supported research to determine safe operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Grants from the Kook fund for research and development projects have been helping to advance theatre technology since the late 1980s.
Samuel Scripps International Fund
USITT’s global reach and much of the Institute’s work abroad are made possible by this fund. It also helps fund master artists coming to the United States to share their skills and talents. The Scripps Fund has been central to supporting USITT’s participation in the Prague Quadrennial. Alexandra B. Bonds Award for Student International Endeavors, a focused portion of USITT’s Samuel H. Scripps International Fund, is designed to support global theatre connections for future generations.
The Fellows Fund provides seed funding for new initiatives allowing USITT to act quickly and responsively to opportunities. A prime example of how donations to this fund were used is the University Library at Cal State Los Angeles Design Resource Collection, which provides students, faculty, researchers, and the Los Angeles community with a unique and diverse set of resources to engage, explore, and conduct research in the areas of Theatre and Performing Arts Production and Design.
RESPONSIBILITY
Rigging Safety Fund - This fund supports the Rigging Safety Initiative (RSI) and includes safety inspections and training for secondary schools in the United States. The RSI has already improved stage safety at more than 120 secondary schools impacting more than 150,000 students.
This fund supports training and professional development opportunities for members not currently engaged in an accredited academic program of study. The Sherry Wagner-Henry Leadership Development Initiative, the Ken Vannice Electrical Education Program, and the Jay O. Glerum Rigging Masterclasses are some of the programs supported through this fund. Donations to the Sherry Wagner-Henry Leadership Development Initiative can be given here.
This fund works to grow and support projects for the future of USITT. Gifts are restricted, and only the investment growth of this fund is used.
Gifts to the General Operations Fund help us help others by helping to lower the cost of education and training, maintaining the website, and supporting the production of publications.
Access our online donation system below to make a gift. To make your gift using a stock transfer, IRA distribution or other payment method, or to develop a multi-year payment plan for your gift, please contact the National Office.
You may also send your gift to:
USITT
ATTN: Development Department
290 Elwood Davis Rd., Suite 100
Liverpool, NY 13088
LEGACY GIVING
USITT Planned Giving and the USITT Loft Block Society
“Every rigging system, manual or motorized, requires Loft Blocks. They support, guide, and provide the proper function of the entire system as it moves. So, like the loft block, the people who make gifts through their wills and estates help ensure the Institute will have the support it needs to continue to flourish for decades to come.”
People who have made gifts to USITT through their wills and estates are included in the Loft Block Society. Their support ensures the Institute will continue to rise for many years to come. Learn more about the Loft Block Society.
The United States Institute for Theatre Technology is a 501(c)3 corporation (Tax ID #13-6216921). Gifts to all Funds are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law. Required charitable disclosure statements may be found in the footer of any page on usitt.org.