The Sheldon Theatre
Financial Support Opportunities

Each year the Sheldon Theatre takes pride in offering quality shows. Since its exceptional restoration almost twenty years ago, The Sheldon has presented over 15,000 shows for audiences surpassing 30,000 each year. Continuing this endeavor requires a sound financial operating base. The Legacy Endowment Fund at the St. Paul Foundation was established to continue this work for another century.

The Sheldon exists as a result of a planned gift. In 1900 T.B. Sheldon asked that half of his estate be given to Red Wing to do something special “to contribute to the education, enjoyment, improvement or amusement of the people of Red Wing.” The theatre was built on his behalf. According to Ian Scheerer, estate planner, “part of our strength is in living in a historic town and enjoying some of the benefits that come from earlier gifts from those who had a vision that went beyond their years. T.B. Sheldon probably had no idea that 100 years after his death his theatre would have been refurbished and continue to be a vibrant part of the community. There are gifts that people make that are a part of the lifeblood of a community. Those that care about The Sheldon and Red Wing understand the interrelated power of the theatre being some of the lifeblood of what makes Red Wing a strong community.” T.B. Sheldon’s bequest, coupled with the committed stewardship of the City of Red Wing and a community-wide investment of time and money, has fostered an accessible hometown stage which has become a community asset. This busy theatre is a gathering place where we, as a community, come to know who we are as we express our yearnings, celebrate our diversity, spark our thoughtfulness and discern our unity.

You do not have to be an entrepreneur to help sustain this vital resource! Contributions from patrons are a major source of funding and are greatly appreciated no matter the size of the contribution. Successful support of The Sheldon Performing Arts Theatre takes a variety of forms and relies on many individuals as well as corporations.

The Sheldon Theatre Endowment Fund can accept contributions year-round in any amount. You can contribute to this fund with a simple addition to your season order. Contributions may also be mailed to the theatre or given in person to the ticket office staff during regular operation hours. All contributions to the endowment fund are one hundred percent tax deductible. The fund provides additional monies to the annual operating budget as well as building for the future stability of the theatre as a self-supporting organization.

Including The Sheldon as part of your estate planning by naming the theater as a beneficiary in your individual will is an example of a substantive form of giving in the future. Like T.B. Sheldon, you may never see the effect of this form of giving, but rest assured that generations to come will be grateful for the benefits they will enjoy from the theatre’s continuing contributions to our community’s lifeblood!

This year, please consider this vital form of patronage. Support your theatre, sustaining programs for personal enrichment, through a generous gift to The Sheldon Endowment Fund.