UPDATE: You Did It! Fundraising Goal Achieved!
Dear Friends,
33 days ago we reached out to share the critical challenge facing St. Croix Ballet due to the impact of Covid-19. The outpouring from families, alum, and lovers of the Stillwater Nutcracker has been incredible—and incredibly touching. Not only did you help SCB reach the $30,000 fundraising goal, but we also met the $12,500 match made by a very generous anonymous donor. The matched propelled us past our initial goal and as of midnight, January 1, 2021, we have raised $37,648!!!!!
While no one knows the future course of Covid-19 and how it impacts schools, sports activities, and our ballet studio, we are full of hope and promise for a new year. Because of your generosity, St. Croix Ballet carries on. You literally helped save us and for that we are deeply moved and grateful!
As St. Croix Ballet enters it’s 30th year, let us collectively lift a glass of hope and good cheer for a successful 2021 for all! See you at the 30th Annual Stillwater Nutcracker—and hopefully before.
With profound Gratitude and Thanks,
Susan Hovey Artistic Director
Brian Sweeney Co-Founder
The Magic of Nutcracker, a Christmas Star, and a $12,500 Matching Gift
UPDATE: December 24th, 2020
Dear Friends,
In this season of gratitude and hope and even the magic of a Christmas star not seen in 800 years, we want to thank all of you for being a part of securing the future of St. Croix Ballet. We are very close to matching the $12,500 matching gift for all contributions given through December 31st.
In the next week, any additional contribution you give will be doubled by this generous donor’s match.
We wish you all a most blessed Christmas and look forward to seeing you in the new year.
With profound Thanks,
Susan Hovey Artistic Director
Brian Sweeney Co-Founder
Note: The CARES Act, which expires December 31, 2020 allows donors (even if they do not itemize deductions) to deduct up to $300 in charitable gifts on their 2020 tax returns).
The Magic of Nutcracker Is Working!
Amazing New Opportunity: $12,500 Challenge Grant!
UPDATE: December 4th, 2020
Dear Friends,
The magic is alive.
One week ago we sent a letter sharing that the challenge of Covid-19 has severely impacted St. Croix Ballet and threatened our survival.
You responded with an incredible outpouring of love and support that was overwhelming and heartwarming and we are so grateful. In just one week, we made a very strong beginning in reaching our $30,000 goal.
You are truly a part of the St. Croix Ballet family. Your gift is helping to save a special place for the children today and the ones yet to come. You are making a difference in the youth who are touched by SCB.
NEWS BULLETIN! Just yesterday an anonymous donor has stepped up with a Challenge Grant to match all contributions to support St. Croix Ballet from now until December 31st—up to $12,500!!!
Many of you have already given generously. Thank you.
To All: whatever amount and additional amount you are willing and able to contribute today and in the next 27 days will be matched by this generous Challenge Grant and will help us reach our goal. This is a chance for your gift to have twice the power towards saving the studio. Thank you in advance for your support. (Give by clicking the DONATE link below).
With profound gratitude,
Susan Hovey - Artistic Director
Brian Sweeney - Co-Founder
This Thanksgiving, the magic of the Nutcracker needs you!
November 27, 2020
Dear Friends and Family of St. Croix Ballet,
On this day for the past 30 years over 100 excited dancers have taken the stage for St. Croix Ballet’s annual Stillwater Nutcracker. You have been a part of the remarkable journey joining over 77,000 individuals who have watched the 175 performances these last three decades. So, of course, it is with great sadness that we cannot be on the Stillwater Nutcracker stage today due to the unprecedented challenge of Covid-19.
In this time of Thanksgiving, we want to thank the dancers, families, audience members, and all those who have supported St. Croix Ballet over the years. Without you, we wouldn’t even have the opportunity to serve and train the thousands of dancers who have gone through the studio and perform not just the Stillwater Nutcracker but spring shows that have included Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, and Coppelia as well as the Summer Galas.
Now some tough news: the challenge of Covid-19 has severely impacted St. Croix Ballet and threatens our survival. It is common knowledge that Nutcrackers (and other shows)—from the Joffrey Ballet to Milwaukee Ballet to St. Croix Ballet—essentially support the year round program. It has always been the case that the ‘ballet school’ portion of St. Croix Ballet, at best, is a break even operation. It is a labor of love.
A Bridge: Asking for your Support
But there is good news and hope on the horizon. With the recent announcements of vaccines and other therapeutics, from all accounts it looks as though things could be back towards a normal by late spring.
With that in mind, we’ve developed a plan. We believe if we can raise at least $30,000 in the coming weeks and months, we can get through this current crisis and rebuild the St. Croix Ballet program back to where it was before the start of the pandemic.
This is a difficult ask for us. We have never in this way asked directly for financial support. But we believe that St. Croix Ballet is worth saving so it can continue to serve the next generation of dancers and their families in the St. Croix Valley and the East Metro.
Therefore, we are asking you to continue to be a part of St. Croix Ballet by supporting us--now (click on the link below to contribute). All gifts will be a tax-deductible contribution. If you can give $25, $50, $100. Wonderful! If you are inspired and capable of giving even more--$250, $500, or even a $1000. Wonderful!
Thank you for your consideration and support for St. Croix Ballet.
Have a warm and safe Thanksgiving weekend.
Susan Hovey - Artistic Director
Brian Sweeney - Co-Founder