Every year, since 1985, individual donors, families, businesses, foundations, government, and volunteers have provided critical dollars and resources to sustain and maintain the programs and historic facilities of the Garde Arts Center, Southeastern Connecticut’s nonprofit home for the performing arts.

You are the key to ensuring that the Garde remains as that special place where not only the arts flourish but all those who visit and participate can come together in a historic, intimate, and beautiful theater in the heart of our vibrant multifaceted Southeastern Connecticut region.

If you enjoy our landmark theater and our wide range of offerings – and believe that they enrich the lives of your neighbors, our children, our region, and generations to come – your support at any level matters now more than ever.

Below, we offer some details on the many opportunities to support your state-of-the-art quality-of-life enhancing Garde Arts Center.

Give Now

Your support of “real time” programs is critical. When coupled with other sources of revenue like ticket sales, it ensures that we continue to be here for the community as a hub for the performing arts and as an important community partner to local schools, nonprofits and to the local economy. Here are some of the most common ways beyond the traditional check or online gift for you to consider and that might make taxwise sense as well.

Give Online

Donate Online Make a Recurring Donation Dedicate a Seat

Give by Mail

You can send a check made out to Garde Arts Center to:
Garde Arts Center
325 State Street
New London, CT 06320

Give by Phone

You can make a gift by contacting Jeanne Sigel at (860) 961-4106 or via email at jsigel@gardearts.org

Give Appreciated Securities

Have any appreciated stocks?

Donating stocks allows you to avoid capital gains tax and if you itemize deductions, you can also take a charitable deduction for the entire donation amount.

For further information on donating – Download directions HERE.

Please contact Jeanne Sigel at (860) 961-4106 or via email at jsigel@gardearts.org

Give via IRA Charitable Rollover
(QCD or qualified charitable distribution)  

Are you 70.5 or older and have a traditional IRA?

You can make a donation to the Garde by transferring up to $105,000 (per individual annually) from your IRA account or other qualified retirement account. Making a gift from your IRA helps you meet your annual Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) and that gift amount does not then add to your taxable income. It’s easy to do; just contact your IRA plan administrator for the forms to put our gift in motion.

Give through your Donor Advised Fund (DAF)

Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs) are investment accounts for the sole purpose of supporting charitable organizations. If you have a DAF, you can support us by recommending a grant to the Garde via the organization that holds your DAF.

Give Later…Begin your legacy giving with us

The peace of mind achieved through wise planning cannot be underestimated.

As you consider taking care of the people and causes you love, we hope you will consider including the Garde among them. In doing so, you will ensure a thriving future for your regional nonprofit home for the performing arts, cinema, education and community connection.

We welcome confidential conversations to explore your interests and answer any questions. Contact Jeanne Sigel at jsigel@gardearts.org or 860-961-4106.

Common forms of legacy gifts are:
Bequests – Your gift may be a specific dollar amount, a percentage of your estate or a remainder after all other provisions are made, or as a contingency bequest.

Named beneficiary of a retirement account of other non-probate assets – Did you know that your will does not control the distribution of certain assets (called non-probate assets)? To ensure that those assets go to the people and organizations you love, you must be sure to properly name your beneficiaries.

Charitable Remainder Trusts (CRTs) – This estate and tax planning tool can provide you or heirs with income during your life, with remaining assets ultimately going to your chosen charitable nonprofit(s) like the Garde.

 

Click here to learn more

 

Thank you so much for your dedication to the Garde Arts Center.

Your support will ensure that the arts are alive and thriving in the heart of southeastern Connecticut. Generations to come will benefit from full seasons of performances, youth programs, and community-bonding events.

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Give Online

Donate Online Recurring Donation

Give by Phone or Fax

You can make a gift by calling: (860) 961-4106 or faxing a donation form to: (860) 447-0503

Give by Mail

You can also give by printing this form and mailing to:

Garde Arts Center
Friends of the Garde
325 State Street
New London, CT 06320

SPONSOR   $60-99

Advance notice of new events
Recognition in the season Playbill

BENEFACTOR  $100-249

Sponsor benefits plus:
Advance ticket purchase – 2nd In Line
Invitation to annual Benefactor’s Reception

PRODUCER  $250-499

Benefactor benefits plus:
Advance ticket purchase – 1st In Line
Pre-show receptions at selected events
Free ticket exchange privileges
Two discount coupons

STAR  $500-999

Producer benefits plus:
Guest pass and concession coupons
Behind the scenes tour of the Garde*

ANGEL  $1000-$2499

Star benefits plus:
Access to house seats*
Lobby rental discounts
Special invitation to President’s Dinner

GARDIAN ANGEL  $2500+

Angel benefits plus:
Use of Garde marquee once per season*
Free use of Moroccan Room once per season*
One meet-the-artist opportunity per season*
Concierge ticket services for select NYC & CT Theaters

 

*Based on availability – Some restrictions apply.

To redeem your benefits or if you have any questions, please call 860.961.4106 or email jsigel@gardearts.org

Thank you for your support!

Why Planned Giving?

 

  • You want to be remembered
  • You want to make a difference
  • You want to choose your legacy

 

Build your community and your legacy for the arts. For almost a century the Garde has deepened our quality of life and community connection. Your gift to the community-owned nonprofit Garde Arts Center will protect and continue the legacy…from one generation to the next.

Let us know if you need more information or inspiration through a confidential conversation by contacting Jeanne Sigel at jsigel@gardearts.org or 860-961-4106.

Here are some common forms of legacy gifts.

Bequests

Your gift may be a specific dollar amount, a percentage of your estate or a remainder after all other provisions are made, or as a contingency bequest.

Sample Bequest Language

“I give to the Garde Arts Center, Inc., a nonprofit corporation currently located at 325 State Street, New London, CT 06320, or its successor thereto, ____________ [written amount or percentage of the estate or description of property] for its [insert purpose such as unrestricted chartable use or specific purpose as discussed with the Garde}.”

Non-probate assets

Do you have an IRA or 401(k)? You can name the Garde as a full or partial beneficiary. It’s as simple as completing your plan provider’s beneficiary forms, electronically or by mail.

You can also name a nonprofit as a full or partial or contingent beneficiary of other non-probate assets such as life insurance policy, real estate, income-providing gifts, or any other assets not included in your will.

You may be surprised about how easy some of these options are!

 

Charitable remainder trusts (CRTs)

This estate and tax planning tool can provide you or heirs with income during your life, with remaining assets ultimately going to your chosen charitable nonprofit(s) like the Garde.

As always, please consult your professional advisors for the legacy gift that works best for your circumstances.

Have you already included a legacy gift in your will or trust?

If you have included the Garde Arts Center in any legacy plan, please let us know so that we can ensure that your gift is used according to your wishes and welcome you into the Garde Legacy Society. Your inclusion in our list may help to inspire others, however, if you prefer to remain anonymous, we will keep your name and information in strict confidence. To help us thank you, please fill out this form to report your gift*. Legacy Form

*We know that life circumstances can change and you may need to alter or reconsider your gift in the future. That’s all right — reporting your gift today does not obligate you now nor in the future.

 

The Garde Arts Center is a nonprofit, 501(c)3 charitable organization. Your donation is  tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.

 

Program and Operations Fund

A Garde-managed fund for unrestricted or designated contributions to various Garde programs and operational needs. Gifts can support summer programs for children, ticket subsidies, underwriting for music, Broadway and opera programs, educational programs, cash reserve funds, and staff development.

Facility Preservation and Equipment

A Garde-managed fund for building and maintenance reserves and designated gifts for annual capital improvements and equipment. These gifts help preserve the historic theater and make necessary repairs and improvements to the building, and upgrade theatrical equipment and fixtures.

Garde Endowment Fund

The Garde Arts Center Endowment Fund was established by the Garde’s Board of Trustees to fulfill its vision for greater stability and sustainability as a permanent endowment fund held at the Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut (CFECT) designed to generate a reliable and predictable annual revenue stream over the long term.  This is yet another strategy in the Garde’s quest to ensure it will continue to provide stimulating, relevant cultural programming for a diverse audience from all age groups and a broad geographic range, in a treasured nationally acclaimed historic theater.

For more information contact:

Lauren Parda
Director of Development
860-442-3572 ext 117
lauren@cfect.org

To contribute to the Endowment Fund on-line, click here:     Garde Endowment

 

Memorials and Tributes

Gifts in honor or memory

Dedicate a tax-deductible donation in the memory of a friend, family member, or loved one. Your memorial message will be acknowledged in our annual season Playbill. To make a memorial gift, click here. You can also call (860) 961-4106 or  mail your gift to Garde Arts Center, Garde Memorial Fund, 325 State Street New London, CT 06320

Seat Dedications

You can ensure that the Garde continues to play a vital role in our community for generations to come with a tax-deductible contribution of $1,000 for one or more seats in the name of your family, business, or a loved one with a permanent inscribed seat plaque in the beautifully restored historic Garde Theater.

Named Gifts

Major gifts for programs or capital needs can be acknowledged with special signage and printed acknowledgment for areas in the theater facilities or as a named fund or program.

To assist in serving your needs, please contact Development Director Jeanne Sigel at
(860) 961-4106 or jsigel@gardearts.org

The Garde Arts Center is a nonprofit, 501(c)3 charitable organization. Your donation is tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowable by law.

Why Sponsor?

In general, ticket sales cover only 65% of program costs. Sponsorship is a critical source of support that helps sustain the Garde facilities, staff, and operations.

Your customized sponsorship package can ensure maximum visibility for year-round community outreach to the region’s core consumer market!

Call Jeanne Sigel at (860) 961-4106 or email at jsigel@gardearts.org for further information.

Sponsorship Options

Event Sponsorship
Garde-presented and hosted events and series  are a memorable way to creatively entertain and engage friends and business associates in an exciting entertainment setting.

Community Access Sponsorship
Many sponsors help underwrite ticket subsidy, scholarship, education programs, and volunteer and intern offerings, through the Garde’s community outreach initiative P:ACE (Partners: Arts, Community, Education).

In-kind Sponsorship
Businesses can receive sponsorship benefits by donating essential services for operations, maintenance, and building improvements.

With Thanks to Our Sponsors

Garde Digital  and Print Playbill Advertising

 

Our audience is your audience!  As a featured advertiser in the Garde Arts Center Print and Digital Playbill, your company’s message will be delivered to over thirty thousand patrons repeatedly throughout the year. The Playbill is printed and distributed to the patrons at each performance.  This season there will be even greater exposure through digital channels to feature your business in a fascinating and dynamic magazine full of interesting news and insights into the Garde and our community.  In addition, with our new Digital Playbill, four times a year you will be able to insert and update videos, place active links to your business products and services, and offer special discounts.

Garde patrons notice and appreciate Playbill advertisers and reward them with their patronage and business. In addition, your playbill advertising dollars directly support Garde events and PACE: Partners in Arts, Community, and Education programs which, in turn, support our education/non-profit partners and stimulate the local economy as well.

Reserve your space TODAY to lock in the best position. To place your ad, use the order form below, call Jeanne at (860) 961-4106 or email your interest or questions to jsigel@gardearts.org.

 

Playbill Order Form

Lobby Display Advertising

Place your ad in the Garde lobbies with iCleanse.  Boost your brand with place-based advertising, targeting the right audience at the right time, using UV disinfection units for impactful ads.

 

For more information please contact: 

David Vadala
Director of Client Services Delivery
davidvadala@iCleanse.com

Volunteer Opportunities

As a community-supported non-profit organization, the Garde welcomes the participation of talented folks who lend their time and skills in support of programs, projects, and staff.

The volunteer categories include:

    • Performance Volunteers: (supporting these general event types: Garde Theater, Schooltime Matinees, Oasis Room)
      – Lobby Monitors
      – Aisle Captains
      – Program Distributors
      – Seat Ushers
    • Patron Service Volunteers:
      – Concessions (bar backing and merchandise sales)
      – Concierge (providing theater and community information to patrons)
      – Reception Attendants (help support show-related and community receptions, and private parties and meetings)
    • Box Office Volunteers: (ticket scanning and assistance during performances, answering phones, and providing general information during regular box office hours)
    • Artist Hospitality Volunteers: (set up/presenting dressing room and green room food, providing amenities and special services/transport for artists)
    • Facility Volunteers: (assisting with displays, décor and cleaning; theater and building maintenance)
    • Special Project Volunteers: (community outreach, social networking and administrative support)
New and returning volunteers please fill out the Volunteer Application below.

 

Click Here for Our Volunteer Application

Already a registered Volunteer: Sign-up now for upcoming events:

APRIL 2025

MAY 2025

If you have any questions please contact us at volunteer@gardearts.org