The Tower Theatre - 'The Big Get-In!'

Thanks for your interest in the Tower Theatre's 'Big Get-in' of 2018 as we move into our new home in Stoke Newington.  This project update covers many of the questions and answers we think our community might have, and will be updated over the course of the campaign - let us know through the "Send Message" link below if there's something you want to know that's not covered here.

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What is 'crowdfunding' and why are we doing it?

Crowdfunding is a new way for a community to come together to provide donations at a variety of levels - from £1 to £10,000 or more - to accomplish a common goal, usually through a website that makes it easy to use a credit card, build new connections, and generate excitement about what the campaign enables.  This is a very efficient way to reach a large group of people, which we have in our Members, Friends and other supporters.

Don't we have enough money for the building?

We absolutely do, and the building is ours now!  We also have enough money to fund the basic refurbishment, and open our Autumn 2018 season in the new space - including our day-to-day operational capacity, and a reasonable reserve to ensure the Company's stability and security.  But fifteen years without a permanent home has reduced much of our technical and operational capacity, and this effort will help us grow to be able to fill our new space.

How did we decide on our target of £125,000?

Together, the Tower's Board of Trustees reviewed a list of options, funding levels, operational/technical needs and rewards, and made a conservative estimate of what priorities we had to help us ensure the most successful opening season this Autumn.  That amount represents 60% of the possible total amount that is on our initial wish-list, and would more than double the amount available to us to invest in these areas.

I can't afford to donate much, are there any other ways to help?

Absolutely, and even a pound or two will help and is welcome - just put any number into the "Just donate" box to the right, and click the bright orange button below it.  And if you're not in a position to donate now, you can still help by sharing the Crowdfunder page on Facebook or Twitter, telling your friends and family about it, checking back in on the Campaign and its updates, or leaving a message of support above.  It's about the 'crowd', not just 'funding'!

[NEW] Are donations tax-deductible?

They are indeed, as the Tower Theatre is a registered charity in England and Wales (Tavistock Repertory Guarantors Limited - Charity Number 219947) and registered for UK Gift Aid (X86702).  Speak to your accounting professional/advisor about how best to claim 'credit' for your donation, but the E-mail receipt you receive here from Crowdfunder should suffice!

What happens if we don't hit our target?

Even if we don't hit our target, we will keep all the money raised by the donors.  One way or another,  approximately seven days after the campaign ends, the funds will be transferred to our bank account, UK Gift Aid will be added (+25%), and we'll be able to use it immediately.  We'll also be able to keep the information from donors to invite to our opening season, and deliver rewards to for their generous gifts.

Do we have to pay Crowdfunder.co.uk to use this site?

We do - no other option gave us the ease of use, automatic handling and adding of Gift Aid, collection and delivery of donor information, and transparency to the Board of organisation and accounting.  Once the campaign is completed, we'll get all the pledged money, less the fees for credit card payments and for using this site (together, with VAT, equalling 8% of the total - some of which we'll recover once we submit our quarterly VAT return).

Can I send a cheque or make a donation some other way?

We'd strongly encourage everyone giving less than £5,000 to use this site and a credit or debit card to make a donation - it focuses our community's generosity on the priorities that the Board and our many volunteers in every area of the Theatre's operation.  If you can't use a credit/debit card or would like to make a gift of over £5,000 (see below), we would still be grateful for your donation by cheque, which can be made out to "The Tower Theatre", with a memo "Big Get-In" and mailed to the office at:

The Tower Theatre Company
16 Northwold Road
Stoke Newington
London N16 7HR

How will the funds be used - is money 'locked' to the categories for pledges?

All the funds received are 'unrestricted', which means that technically and legally we can use the funds for any expenditure consistent with our charitable purpose.  That being said, the Board has committed to use the funds for the general purpose designated by the donor, in line with the pledge descriptions within the campaign.  Where funds aren't designated for a specific purpose, the Board will allocate them.

[NEW] I'm donating for a 'brick', 'place at the bar' or 'chair in the house' - how do I tell you the name I want inscribed?

Once the fundraising campaign is completed, we'll contact all donors to confirm the specific name (or names) they'd like used for their pledge.  We'll confirm the spelling, and give you a bit more information about the latest on the refurbishment and our plans for opening the Autumn 2018 season in the new space come October.  There's no need at this time to submit those details.

How long will this crowdfunding campaign run?

This campaign will run for eight weeks until 19 June 2018, and its purpose is to add funding to 1) augment our refurbishment budget, and 2) increase the quality of our 2018-2019 season (and beyond).  Again, the refurbishment is underway already, and we will open our Autumn season in the new building in October - this campaign expands our options further.

There's a section for 'Major Gifts' in the description – how do I give more?

This website is designed for donations that can easily be made via credit/debit cards.  We would welcome major gifts in addition to the pledge opportunities on this page, and have a number of ways to recognise these special levels of generosity.  If you'd consider giving £5,000 or more, we'd be grateful for the chance to talk to you about how that donation could best be put to use to further the Tower's aims.  Please contact:

[email protected]           or         07956601674

I've got a question that's not included here - who/how can I ask?

Other questions are welcome!  You can also send a message or give a call to Alexander Knapp at the contact details above, or click on "Send Message" at the the bottom of each page.  This page will update accordingly!