Broadway Utica Announces Strategy to Meet Future Needs

Broadway Utica has established a permanent partnership with the Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties to give the performing arts organization a way to support, expand and continue its impact for years to come.

Founded in 1957 as Broadway Theatre League of Utica, Broadway Utica announced today the creation of the Rise for a Purpose Fund as its annual and ongoing campaign for donor support, and two other funds, building on its collaboration with the Community Foundation to support student engagement with the arts.

“Partnership with the Community Foundation is an important step for us, one that will ensure that our organization continues providing enriching educational opportunities for young people and the entire community we serve,” said Danielle Padula, Broadway Utica executive director. “Thanks to this collaboration and our generous donors, Broadway Utica will advance and enhance its efforts to bring high-quality touring Broadway productions to the Mohawk Valley.”

The Community Foundation will invest and administer the assets of Rise for a Purpose and the two other new agency funds as part of Broadway Utica’s long-term strategy:

Rise for a Purpose Fund, Broadway Utica’s annual campaign to attract sustained donor support, will benefit the community, area initiatives, student programs and more. It will establish, for the first time, a permanent mechanism for building assets to support and enhance Broadway Utica’s mission, bringing theater and the performing arts to the community, and providing educational and cultural enrichment opportunities to residents of all ages.

Broadway Utica Youth Ambassador Program Fund will support the Bernadette A. Eichler Youth Ambassador Program to engage about 50 high school students annually in Broadway Utica productions.  Each year, for the last decade, the program has inspired students and contributed to their success in theatre, the arts, the community, and in life.

Broadway Utica Students on Broadway Fund will support and sustain Broadway Utica’s efforts to encourage area K-12 students to engage with theatre and the arts, enabling them to attend shows at little or cost. The fund will help schools and other nonprofit organizations that want to send young people on field trips to see daytime productions, and to evening performances.

To learn more about the Broadway Utica funds, visit foundationhoc.org/broadwayutica.