How we do the money part
The key to Cadent Shakes' logistical process is to have money before we budget it. In order to make this feasible, we have built a two-part production season. First, the fundraising campaign: hosted by our generous private sponsors, we tour an excerpted and adapted mini play through local living rooms, introducing potential patrons and donors to our work while providing an unusually intimate theater experience all in one go.
At the close of the campaign, we meet to assess the financial realities of our full scale production, allowing several months between campaign and creative process in which to strategize the best use of the funds we have raised at that point.
In the interim, we allow space for other projects that serve both our internal and external communities, as well as bringing in further funding for the organization, such as one-off performances, workshop series, and collaborative productions.
How you, too, can do the money part
In an era of subscription platforms, we are curious to see if low and slow donations can support our ethos of sustainable creative practice. While we'll never turn down a lump sum, we strongly encourage prospective donors to consider a monthly donation. In return, we are cultivating a variety of opportunities for our "subscribers," including behind the scenes sneak peeks, specialized workshops, early bird ticketing, and other VIP perks.
Fiscal Sponsorship
It's important to know exactly where your money is going. Aside from paying artists, renting space, hosting this website, and more, we're excited to expand on a less obvious part of that equation.
We are honored to have been granted fiscal sponsorship by Fractured Atlas. This is a way for organizations of our size to gain the benefits of non-profit status by essentially scooting under the umbrella of a 501(c)3. This does mean that the umbrella organization will receive a small percentage of your donations, and here's why we're VERY okay with that, and hope you are, too:
First off, this arrangement makes your donations tax deductible. We’ll also be able to receive grant funding that is not open to private applicants. Second, they offer a vast array of logistical tools, from a payment platform to receive one-time and monthly donations, to a library of educational resources for running an arts organization.Their customer service is robust and several of our ensemble have had amazing experiences working with them over the course of our careers.
Third, the structure of fiscal sponsorship is deeply aligned with our own values of accessibility, financial sustainability, and artistic empowerment. This is true generally, but Fractured Atlas itself is uniquely committed to lowering that barrier to entry for smaller organizations who may have neither accounting nor legal staff to navigate the nuances of non-profit status.
Give Your Support Today
We're especially eager to establish a foundation of monthly donations, providing slow and steady support to our sustainable creative practice.