The holiday season is a time for reflection, togetherness, exchanging thanks, and gift-giving.

We are in the midst of our Setting the Next Stage Campaign. An effort to increase the capacity of the Institute’s four basic funds. This helps us ensure we have the funds to continue research funding, international connections, student and early career initiatives, and to build the USITT Fund for support of the Institute. Each of these funds ties back directly to the charter written by our founders and gives us the assurance that we can continue the mission they began as it applies to the industry of today. To date, we have raised $542,000 putting us 10 percent away from our goal of $600,000. Your gift for USITT’s 60th-anniversary matters!

USITT is opening doors for people at all stages in their careers, and especially those in underrepresented communities. While the entertainment industry has a reputation for being a welcome space for all, that isn’t always the case. We are making efforts to change that through our equity, diversity, and inclusion work that is funded through the diversity initiative in the New Century Fund.

It is because of you that USITT has become a community where all aspects of live performance design and technology come together to learn from one another, to grow in skill, and to make a difference.

You know the value of the work that we do — that you do — and now we ask that you consider a gift to USITT. One time, recurring, or a pledge over several years. Each gift makes a difference in someone’s life.

And if you are thinking about estate planning, those gifts count too. Our Loft Block Society is made of people that have notified us that they have left a bequest to USITT upon their death. If you’ve done this but have not told us, you can help us meet our goal and we can recognize your generosity today.

Thank you for being part of USITT. We appreciate all those we serve and we hope you will look to us in the coming year for more connections and resources as we set our next stage to lead the industry for the next 60 years.

Please help us reach our goals by making your contribution today.

If you are an online shopper you can go to smile.amazon.com and choose United States Institute for Theatre Technology as your designated charity. A portion of your shopping will go to USITT. That allows you to “double-dip” and make a gift whilst gift giving at no extra cost.

Thank you for considering a gift to USITT and thank you to those who have donated and will donate in the future.

Happy Holidays from all of us at USITT.