Before nearly every Cal Shakes performance, a staff member takes the stage to welcome the audience, make announcements—and ask for donations of spare change.

We’ve learned not to be shy about inviting your contributions of nickels and dimes (and larger donations, too) because your response has consistently been wonderfully generous—and thus

significant to our ability to do great work. For the past several years, our spare-change request has been answered with a total annual contribution of nearly $40,000, which Cal Shakes uses to fund our onstage productions and the education and outreach we perform in under-served Bay Area schools and communities.

We’re always thrilled when we have a match—a promise from a donor to single-handedly give the same amount cumulatively given by others. Matching gifts consistently prompt audiences to give more than twice the amount they otherwise give; and then a match doubles that amount a second time!

Anyone can match: companies, families, or individuals. Matches can be made in honor of an event, a business, or another person; or alternatively, they can be made anonymously. In return for your generosity, donors who make matching gifts get a big pre-show thank-you, our sincere gratitude, and the satisfaction of significantly impacting Cal Shakes’ capacity to produce great theater and educational opportunities.

To become an audience-ask “matcher” and receive recognition before one or more performances, please contact Darcy Brown-Martin at dbrown-martin@calshakes.org or 510.548.3422 x141.

Thanks for making a big difference!

Pictured above:  Before a performance of 2009′s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Cal Shakes  Director of Develpment Jim Huntley (center) asked board members Phil  Chernin (L) and David Goldsmith (R) to come forward and be recognized  for offering a double match; photo by Jay Yamada.