After a careful vetting process, the Catalogue for Philanthropy: Greater Washington has selected Encore Stage & Studio to be part of the Class of 2019-20. Encore has undergone a rigorous review process conducted by a team of 150+ local experts, and has met the Catalogue’s high standards. Potential donors can be confident that the nonprofits in the Catalogue are worthy of their support. Encore’s mission is to build lifelong appreciation for live theatre by involving young people in all aspects of theatre arts — onstage, backstage, in the classroom, and in the audience.
This year the Catalogue celebrates its 17th anniversary: since its inception it has raised $40 million for nonprofits in the region. It also offers trainings and neighborhood-based opportunities for collaboration.
This year, reviewers helped select 78 nonprofits to feature in the print edition, 36 of which are new to the Catalogue this year. It also selected an additional 36 nonprofits to be re-featured on its website. The network now includes 400+ vetted nonprofits working in the arts, education, environment, and human services sectors throughout Greater Washington.
“People want to get involved in their community—they want to make a difference, close to home. Based on our rigorous review process, we believe that Encore [Stage & Studio] is one of the best community-based nonprofits in the region,” says Matt Gayer, Director of Community and Nonprofit Development at the Catalogue for Philanthropy.
Encore’s Executive Director, Sara Strehle Duke, stated, “It is such an honor to be selected for the Catalogue. Inclusion is recognition of our hard work and a seal of approval from the non-profit community. The Catalogue gives us a much larger platform to share the power of ‘theatre by kids, for kids.’ ”
The Catalogue believes in the power of small nonprofits to spark big change. And they believe in Encore to continue to further that positive change, working each day to lift up, strengthen, and enrich our local community.
Photos by Cindy Kane Photography and Aileen Pangan Christian. Blog contribution by Shannon McCarthy and Matt Gayer.