Community Fundraising Success Stories

Theatre Workshop of Nantucket

LUNAFEST Just “Fit”

The Theatre Workshop of Nantucket (TWN) prides itself on bringing enjoyable, engaging, as well as thought-provoking theatrical productions to its small, tightly knit island community. “Each season, we go out of our way to find a play that challenges people, or takes them out of their comfort zone,” says Gabrielle Gould, the theatre’s executive director. “When we first heard about LUNAFEST, it seemed a perfect fit.”

An Overflow Crowd

The incredibly positive reaction TWN received after hosting its first LUNAFEST convinced Gould to make it an annual fundraising event. This year’s program attracted an overflow crowd, with 350 attendees streaming into a 250-seat theater. “We had to break out a lot of folding chairs,” says Gould. Squeezing everyone in was worth it - TWN’s LUNAFEST raised $25,000 and a number of local businesses expressed interest in sponsoring in 2012. Gould believes that LUNAFEST can grow to a $50K-a-year fundraiser.

Raising Awareness

TWN was also proud to be able to bring attention to the environmental causes of breast cancer. “There’s no one on this island who hasn’t been touched in some way, shape or form by breast cancer,” says Gould. “People are not only blown away by the films, they are also impressed by the impact that LUNA is having through the Breast Cancer Fund.”

A Great Night Out

Unlike other types of fundraisers, TWN believes that LUNAFEST “gives as good as it gets.” “Women, especially, need a night out!” says Gould. “For $25, we delivered a couple of glasses of wine, good food and phenomenal films.” Not a bad deal. In fact, TWN is consistently hearing from attendees that LUNAFEST is one of the best events on Nantucket.