Using collaboration and shared learning to help performing arts companies

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Just released!  Energy Conservation Audits for Six Performing Arts Facilities

We can talk about greening our theatre spaces – and we do at Creative Trust’s Facilities Roundtable meetings – but it’s not easy to know where to start. That’s why we started by commissioning independent energy auditor Anthony Marshall to do detailed energy conservation audits for six companies in Toronto.

Between May and October 2011, Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, Factory Theatre, Tafelmusik, Tarragon Theatre, Theatre Passe Muraille, and Toronto Dance Theatre/STDT provided a year’s worth of utilities bills for analysis and welcomed Anthony into every nook and cranny of their facilities. The Energy Conservation Audits report  is the first step in Toronto’s Green Theatres,  a concerted approach to greening performing facilities in Toronto. Read more

Have you done an Energy Audit for your venue? Have you considered doing one?

Change the language, change the relationship

At a recent Ontario Nonprofit Network strategy meeting, we were reminded that many volunteers don’t think of themselves as “volunteers.” They are, instead, deeply engaged individuals who want to make a meaningful contribution in their communities.

Doesn’t that make more sense? It does to me, and led me to think about how that simple change in perspective could transform our relationships with board members, event committees, ushers and anyone else who gives of their time and skills to help us succeed. Read more

Green grants now available

Toronto’s Energy Efficiency Office provides incentives available to new and/or retrofit projects through its Better Buildings Partnership, which recently expanded its focus to include the Arts & Culture sector.

These incentives can represent up to 50% of project costs.

The 2011-2014 incentives include:

Audit Funding helps you spot energy-saving opportunities and cover up to 50% of the cost of an energy audit.

Retrofit Program covers 50% of costs of installing energy-efficient measures around lighting and various non-lighting projects

The High Performance New Construction Program provides design assistance in energy-efficiency for new buildings and renovations and supports up to 100% of the cost of modeling a building. Read more

Useful Fundraising Tool: the Donation Credit Calculator

The CRA’s Charities Directorate recently added a new and useful feature to its website. The new Donation Credit Calculator allows donors to determine the
total amount of tax credits, including federal and provincial, for their charitable gifts.

It is also handy information for fundraisers making a pitch by mail, email or in person. Read more