When Triumvirate Theatre’s main performance space burned to the ground last month, supporters flocked to social media to pledge support.
When the nonprofit set up a fundraiser through the Alaska Community Foundation, they flocked there, too. Triumvirate Executive Director Joe Rizzo said the response has been overwhelming.
“It’s really been very encouraging to see a lot of kids that have been with Triumvirate Theatre for years who are now adults and have jobs, to see the donations and the generosity of those guys is very touching," he said.
To date, they’ve received around $47,000. But there’s still a long way to go.
While Triumvirate had an insurance policy on the building itself, the assets inside are uncovered. Rizzo estimated it all could be worth $100,000.
To get there, they’re asking people for small donations.
“I think a lot of people get the idea that unless they can donate $500 or $1,000, that they can’t do much," he said. "But the truth is, these little donations of $30 this week can go a long long ways and make a big difference.”
Triumvirate launched a new phase of its fundraising campaign this weekend. They're asking for $30 donations leading up to March 22 — which marks 30 days since the fire.
“In the first three weeks since the fire happened, we got about 100 donations," Rizzo said. "Since we launched this $30 donation idea, just on Saturday and Sunday alone we got 70 donations.”
He said that when it comes to looking for matches and support from foundations, it will be important to show there’s a broad base of community support.
“The number of donations is almost as important as the dollar amount that we raise," he said.
Rizzo hopes Triumvirate can get to $60,000 in donations by next week.
You can donate to Triumvirate Theatre through its website, triumviratetheatre.org.
