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Launch a Season Subscription Club
Offer patrons tiered season passes with exclusive perks—automate renewals and secure steady support all year long.
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Host an Opening Night Gala & Auction
Plan a gala event around your season opener with a silent auction featuring signed posters and backstage experiences to boost donations.
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Sell Tickets to Summer Theater Workshops
Promote and sell tickets for your acting, dance, or improv workshops—track attendance and simplify check-in with zero fees.
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Build a Patron Circle with Recurring Giving
Invite supporters to join a monthly giving circle for ongoing productions—ensure predictable revenue and deepen donor relationships.
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Raise Funds with a Community Play Peer-to-Peer Campaign
Empower cast, crew, and fans to create personal fundraising pages for your community production—amplify reach through their networks.
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Open a Playbill & Merch Online Store
Sell branded playbills, posters, and apparel from past productions online—100% of proceeds support your next show.
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With Zeffy, you keep every cent.
Here’s what that $2,500 can fund instead
🎭 10 student matinee tickets
So underserved schools can experience live theater
🎨 A new set design centerpiece
Immersing audiences in the story from the moment the curtain rises
🎼 15 instrument rentals for youth ensembles
Allowing emerging musicians to shine in every performance
👥 ASL interpreters for five shows
Ensuring all patrons can fully experience the magic of the arts
💡 LED stage lighting upgrades
Delivering brilliant, energy-efficient lighting for every scene
How Zeffy compares to other fundraising platforms for Theaters and Performing Arts Centers
Fees | You keep | You lose | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
.svg){kind=small} | 0% platform & processing fees | $50,000 | $0 | |
 | 2.9% + $0.30/transaction | $48,400 |  -$1,600 | |
 | 2.2% + $0.30 + ~2.35% platform fees | $47,500 | -$2,500 | |
 | 2.9% + $0.30/transaction | $48,350 | -$1,650 | |
 | 3.7% + $1.79/ticket + 2.9% processing | $46,550 | -$3,450 (est.) | |
 | 1.99% + $0.49 | $48,560 | -$1,440 |
100% free, always.
Top 6 fundraising ideas for Theaters and Performing Arts Centers
🎬 Parkside Performance Pop-Up
Host surprise mini-plays in local parks, collect donations via mobile kiosks, and boost community engagement with summer theater highlights.
📹 Backstage Virtual Tour
Live-stream a behind-the-scenes theater tour with cast Q&A; viewers donate online to unlock exclusive rehearsal clips and backstage access.
🎭 Flash Mob Spotlight
Surprise audiences with short scenes in public squares, encourage instant donations via QR codes, and drive buzz for upcoming performances.
🍿 Drive-In Drama Night
Screen a recorded play at a drive-in venue; ticket sales and concession proceeds support your next season of shows and outreach programs.
🖼️ Spotlight Art Auction
Commission local artists to create theater-themed pieces and host an in-person or online auction to fund youth education and artist residencies.
🎤 Footlight Virtual Challenge
Supporters post monologues or song clips with #FootlightChallenge to unlock sponsor matches, drive peer-to-peer giving, and amplify your mission.
Want more inspiration?
Explore 40+ free Theaters and Performing Arts Centers fundraising ideas
Top grants for Theaters and Performing Arts Centers in 2025
Grants for Arts Projects
National Endowment for the Arts
$10,000-$100,000
Provides funding for public engagement with the arts and arts education; application Part 1 available February 2025, Part 1 submission deadline March 11, 2025.
Social Impact Theatre Grant Program
The Sheri and Les Biller Family Foundation
Not specified
Offers funding for contemporary, professional, theatrical productions that deal with current social issues; LOIs due June 9, 2025, full applications due July 14, 2025.
Specific Cultural Projects
Division of Arts and Culture (Florida)
Not specified
Grant for specific cultural projects; next application opens July 1, 2025, with a deadline of July 14, 2025.
General Program Support
Division of Arts and Culture (Florida)
Not specified
Grant for general program support; next application opens July 1, 2025, with a deadline of July 14, 2025.
Top companies that donate to Theaters and Performing Arts Centers in 2025
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Walmart
Supports education nonprofits through local grants and Spark Good programs.
TDF (Theatre Development Fund)
Offers corporate partnerships to support its mission of making performing arts accessible, providing brand exposure and employee engagement.
Bloomberg Philanthropies
Funds arts and culture initiatives to foster vibrant communities and creative expression.
Materials for the Arts
Facilitates in-kind donations of materials from companies to thousands of nonprofit organizations, including arts groups.
Frequently asked questions
Is Zeffy really 100% free for Theaters and Performing Arts Centers? What's the catch?
Yes, Zeffy is 100% free for Theaters and Performing Arts Centers! There are no platform fees, no processing fees, and absolutely no hidden costs. Zeffy is supported by optional tips from donors who believe in our mission to help arts organizations like yours keep every dollar raised. That's it, no catch!
Can Theaters and Performing Arts Centers use Zeffy to collect performance tickets?
Absolutely! Theaters and Performing Arts Centers can use Zeffy to collect money from ticket sales, accept donations, and even set up recurring donations for ongoing support. All these transactions are fee-free, meaning every dollar you collect goes directly to supporting your programs and productions.
What types of fundraising campaigns can Theaters and Performing Arts Centers run with Zeffy?
Theaters and Performing Arts Centers can run various fundraising campaigns with Zeffy! These include selling tickets for performances, organizing peer-to-peer fundraisers where patrons and members can support your mission, and setting up recurring donation programs for continuous support. Whatever your fundraising needs, Zeffy has you covered.
What's the best fundraising platform for Theaters and Performing Arts Centers?
Zeffy is the only truly 100% free fundraising platform for Theaters and Performing Arts Centers. While other platforms may have hidden fees, Zeffy ensures every cent of your donations goes directly to your mission, helping you put more resources towards your arts programs and events.
