A Letter
from the Artistic Director
If We Are To...
- continue our reach into the schools and our community,
- increase the number of shows per year we are able to offer the community,
- continue to diversify the work on our stage, and
- continue to improve that work and the lives of the artists who create it
We simply need more resources.
We are committed to keeping tickets at a fair price, and so that means we need to raise the money elsewhere. We know from 2016 that this Annual Campaign is part of the solution. We increased artist salaries again in 2017 while also increasing the number of daytime matinees and outreaches we are taking directly to schools.
In moving me to a truly full time post – from 2009 to 2016 I also taught a full load of coursework at USF – I have had the time to take more meetings, write more grants, and do more research. This has directly led to filling board seats and securing additional grants and sponsorships.
We’ve set a goal of $80,000 for this campaign in 2018, which has been made infinitely easier to reach through the generosity of the Gobioff Foundation who agreed to provide a $1 for $1 match all donations up to $30,000. This is an amazing opportunity to double the impact of your gifts. It gets better: our board of directors has also issued a $5,000 matching challenge, meaning right now your gift will get a 2 to 1 match. You give $100? We get $300 toward our goal.
Making It Easier
We know that it can be a challenge sometimes to donate in a lump sum, so we hope you’ll consider making an annual pledge that is payable in monthly increments, which is easily managed when you donate online. $300 at one time might be hard, but you might find $25 a month donated on the day of your choice to be far more manageable and budget-friendly. Remember that Jobsite is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit arts organization, and all donations made to us are fully tax-deductible to the extent provided by law.
In just a few years, we've grown
From very humble beginnings to a company with a strong regional impact.
Finalist
American Theatre Wing National Theatre Company Award
Urban Excellence Award
Tampa Downtown Partnership
Best Of...
Lots of "Best Of" awards from Creative Loafing and BroadwayWorld.
Annual Operating Budget
Breaking Records
We now have a record-setting number of season passholders for the Shimberg Playhouse, which had two other companies offering a subscription series prior to our residency.
Help Us Do More
The truth is, we want to do even more. We’re capable of it, if the resources were available to us, which is why we need your support. I need you to know how critical these funds are to us and how easy this goal should be to make if you rally around us. Getting a commitment from you now, in the earliest part of the campaign, not only ensures your gift gets the $2 for $1 match, but it will allow us to better plan for the coming season and beyond.
Reaching our goal will directly translate into
- the resources to seek more grants and corporate gifts,
- the resources to produce the best work possible,
- getting that much closer to our goal of offering all artists a living wage,
- creating more opportunities to engage our schools and community partners.
If you’ve read this far, you already likely attend our shows and spread the word for us. We can’t thank you enough for that. We’re hoping now though that you will take the next step and and become a part of our annual campaign and – if you’re not already – go all in by becoming a season ticket holder. For the ultimate VIP experience, you can also become a Rock Star.
More Ways To Help
In addition to cash donations we are always on the lookout for in-kind support from area businesses.
Along with our season sponsors listed here, other local businesses like The Independent, Jug & Bottle Co., New World Brewery, and Ella’s Americana Folk Art Cafe also make a meaningful impact every year with their in-kind gifts.
If you would like to speak directly about any of this, reach out by email or give me a call at 813.476.7378. I look forward to the chance to talk about these very exciting times!
David M. Jenkins, Ph.D
Producing Artistic Director
