gettting closer

Honing down the idea, folks.  

Take a look, tell me what you think.

LIT FUND ONE SHEET

The League of Independent Theater Fund is designed to financially assist organizations and individual theater artists creating independent theater in the five boroughs of New York City.  The intent of the Fund is to help this vital segment of American theater thrive in a difficult economic environment and to have a positive impact on the cultural landscape of the city. 

Where does the money come from?

At the core of the LIT Fund is the simple idea of theater people helping theater people.  Money for the LIT Fund comes from organizations, companies, venues and individuals donating five cents per ticket sold to their performances.   Additional donations will be solicited from patrons of the arts.  No money from foundations will be solicited, as the Fund is conceived as an additional source of funding for the independent theater territory and not a “re-granting” mechanism.

Where does the money go?

All money collected will go solely to the independent theater territory, with a small portion dedicated to administering the Fund.  Funding priorities will be set by the field.  We are currently surveying the territory and we will use the results of that survey to determine first year funding priorities.  The survey is available at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/JFJBVR7  Early results indicate that real estate issues, unrestricted funds and the creation of an endowment for independent theater are areas of interest.   

How is the money collected?

Money will be collected from participating organizations through their various ticketing agencies at the close of each run.  Individual artists and patrons of the arts can donate online or by check throughout the year.

Who is eligible for the money?

Only members in good standing with the League of Independent Theater will be eligible to receive money from the Fund.  League membership is free and is open to all companies, venues and individual artists who have worked on at least three independent theater productions in New York City.

How will people apply?

Applications will be submitted online on a rolling basis.  Applicants will be asked to provide a brief history of their organization, a description of the use of the money and a simple one page financial statement.  Applicants can also provide supporting materials such as work samples, bios of artists involved, etc.  Recipients will be recruited to serve on the Fund’s adjudication panel the year following their funding. 

Who decides who gets funded?

Applications will be evaluated by a panel drawn from previously funded groups and individuals with the goal of having working artists in the sector driving the decision-making, working within clear guidelines provided by the League.  In the first year of the Fund, the adjudication panel will consist of three members of the League’s Board of Directors, three members of the League and three individuals from the larger theatrical or philanthropic world in New York City.