Dear Friends,
I hope you are well and enjoying the holiday season. 2020 has been one of our most challenging years; but still, there is much for which we are grateful – most of all YOU and our devoted community of supporters.
Despite tremendous obstacles this year – including the cancellation of countless performances and lost ticket revenue – MPAC forged ahead, developing new and creative ways to serve you. From the very first day we were forced to close, we reimagined the delivery of our programs in order to continue to educate, entertain and uplift through the arts. We embraced virtual performances, reformatted and expanded our education programs to online platforms, and offered drive-in concerts and comedy shows while our theater doors were closed. This fall we have welcomed patrons back to the theater for limited capacity indoor events, many of which are livestreamed to bring the excitement of the MPAC concert experience directly to your living room.
When I think back on 2020, I’ll remember these untraditional arts experiences that brought unexpected joy to so many of you at a time of need. Even more so, I’ll remember the loyalty of MPAC’s supporters. Our Theatre has a history of being saved during difficult times by local supporters who are committed to seeing this community treasure survive and thrive. The COVID-19 pandemic has presented MPAC with the greatest challenges in our history, but due to the generous continuing support of MPAC’s great community, we are overcoming those challenges.
At our first drive-in concert, musician John Ginty said it best: “No matter what happens out there, no matter how hard this gets, music will be there for you.” MPAC will be there for you.
However, over the next few months we anticipate more bumps in the road and a need for continuing resilience and patience. During this period, we will remain committed to serving you through our virtual, alternative and scaled-back programs, but unfortunately, they cannot sustain us financially.
There is an urgent need, right now, for your investment in MPAC so we can make it to the other side of this pandemic.
Please be a part of the growing community of supporters who have helped to sustain us and consider making a year-end gift today.
You can donate online today – it’s simple and quick, and gifts of all sizes make a difference. Some of you have made multiple gifts this year understanding our unprecedented need, and we can’t thank you enough. A gift now, as we close 2020, would be greatly appreciated and adds strength to the bridge that will bring us into new beginnings and a brighter New Year. I have included information on the CARES Act, below, which may be beneficial information to you as you consider a gift before December 31, 2020.
From the MPAC family to yours, we hope you have a healthy and heartfelt holiday season. Again, thank you.
Sincerely,
Allison Larena
President and CE
Mayo Performing Arts Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit tax-exempt organization. Provisions in the CARES Act provide for the following enhanced charitable giving incentives to individuals who would like to support organizations, like MPAC, that have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic:
- Full tax-deductibility for all cash gifts up to $300 ($600 per couple), whether you itemize or not.
- For those who do itemize, gifts are now tax-deductible up to 100% of adjusted gross income; up from 60% last year. (Private foundations and Donor Advised Funds are excluded from this new provision.)
- Waiver of 2020 Required Minimum Distributions for certain retirement plans and IRAs.
(This is not intended to provide legal advice. For more information on charitable benefits of the CARES Act, please consult your accountant or wealth advisor.)
