Host a Fundraiser

The Finance Committee of First Folio strives to appeal of donors at all levels. If you are interested in hosting a fundraising or an awareness event, please contact us at firstfolio@firstfolio.org. Your support helps provide world class indoor and outdoor theatre experiences right here at home.

Sponsorship

Corporate and individual partnerships help to support world-class indoor and outdoor theater experiences for Illinois’ diverse audiences. The generosity of Chicago’s business community – major corporations and small businesses – as well as individuals ensures First Folio is part of Illinois’ world-class cultural landscape. Corporate partnerships with First Folio can be customized to maximize a company’s goals for association, visibility, entertainment opportunities and civic support of the arts.

Become an Individual or Corporate Sponsor

We would like to invite you to be one of our Individual or Corporate Partners. There are special recognition opportunities for corporate and individual sponsors, and depending on your gift amount, includes advertising, private dinners, invitations to opening night parties, and recognition at each performance. Corporate and individual partnerships help to support world-class indoor and outdoor theater experiences for Illinois’ diverse audiences. The generosity of Chicago's business community - major corporations and small businesses - ensures First Folio is part of Illinois' world-class cultural landscape. Corporate partnerships with First Folio can be customized to maximize a company's goals for association, visibility, entertainment opportunities and civic support of the arts. For more information about sponsorship opportunities, contact David Rice at drice@firstfolio.org or call 630-986-8067. First Folio is a 501(c)(3) and all contributions are deductible to the full extent allowed by law.

Advertising

First Folio offers both program advertising as well as e-tickets.

Program Advertising Rates

Full page ad - $500 per production
Half page ad - $300 per production
Quarter page ad - $150 per production

Get a 25% discount for full season ads. Buy two shows and get the third show FREE! Footlights program books are 5" X 9", black and white glossy pages. All prices are for B/W ads. Please contact us for prices for color advertisements.

Ad Size Dimensions

Full Page Ad - 4.625" x 7.625" • 5.375" x 8.375" bleed
1/2 Page Ad - horizontal 4.625" x 3.75" • vertical 2.25" x 7.625"
1/4 Page Ad - horizontal 4.625" x 1.825" • vertical 2.25" x 3.75"

Want to Advertise on Our E-Tickets?

Contact us at firstfolio@firstfolio.org or call 630-986-8067 for rates and more information or to place a program ad. Camera-ready artwork for any advertising opportunity can be e-mailed to the theatre at firstfolio@firstfolio.org in PDF or Abobe files.

About First Folio

First Folio Theatre is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit Equity theater company in residence at the Mayslake Peabody Estate Forest Preserve in Oak Brook, Illinois. Founded in 1997, First Folio is entering it’s 25th year of producing quality theatrical events. Season attendance annual tops 10,000 patrons. Our actors and designers are the cream of the Chicago and New York professional theatre scenes, including many Jeff Award winners. Although we attract audiences from all over the country, our main constituency is here in the Chicago area, with 81% of our patrons from the western suburbs (601-605 zip codes), including the I-88 and Rt. 83 corridors. Demographically, our audience members include a preponderance of college-educated, middle-to-upper income families, and arts patrons. First Folio Theatre is associated with Actor’s Equity Association and is a proud member of the League of Chicago Theatres and the Theatre Communcations Group. First Folio is supported in part by grants from the Illinois Arts Council, a State Agency, and the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation.

Shop & Support

As you do your shopping on Amazon throughout the year, please keep your First Folio Family in mind. With AmazonSmile, First Folio can receive .5% of your applicable purchases from Amazon to continue our mission of providing quality theater to the western suburbs. All you have to do is click on the link below and list First Folio as your beneficiary.

Choosing AmazonSmile and First Folio* means that while the price of your Amazon purchases remain unchanged, you will be helping keep First Folio thriving, just by shopping as you always do.

_{*It may default to "First Folio Shakespeare Festival," which is our original legal name.}

Thank You for being part of the First Folio Family!

Gift of Stock

First Folio offers a simple, two-step process for gifting appreciated securities. Donors can receive, in the form of a tax-deduction, the full fair market value of the stock at the time the gift is made as long as the stock has been held for at least one year.

Instructions:
1. Email David Rice, Executive Director, at drice@firstfolio.org or call 630-9896-8067 to inform us of:
• Your name
• The name of the securities
• The number of shares and approximate value*
2. Contact your broker to initiate the transfer to our account:
• Account Name: First Folio Theatre
• DTC #: 0164
• Account Number: 6382-5778
• Federal Income Tax Identification Number: 36-4091752
Upon receipt of the shares, First Folio’s broker will liquidate the securities in the most cost-effective manner. First Folio will issue an acknowledgement letter for your tax records. Please consult your tax accountant for the specific tax benefits you may receive for you contribution. * Donor information does not accompany transfers so your notification ensures that we can accurately process and recognize your generous contribution. Questions: Contact David Rice at drice@firstfolio.org or call 630-986-8067.

Charitable IRA Rollover

The charitable IRA rollover, or qualified charitable distribution (QCD), is a special provision allowing certain donors to exclude from taxable income – and count toward their required minimum distribution – certain transfers of Individual Retirement Account (IRA) assets that are made directly to public charities, including First Folio Theatre.

Qualifying charitable distributions must be:

• Made by a donor age 70 ½ or older
• Transferred from a traditional IRA or Roth IRA directly
• Completed by December 31 of the corresponding tax year
• Checks can be made out to First Folio Theatre and mailed directly to:
  First Folio Theatre
  1717 31st St.
  Oak Brook, IL 60523
  

Questions: Contact David Rice at drice@firstfolio.org or call 630-986-8067.

Gift of Crypto Currencies

The IRS rules regarding charitable donations of purchased cryptocurrencies are very similar to the rules regarding donations of appreciated securities. A gift of cryptocurrency will be valued at the time of donation at its fair market value.

Prior to filing your tax return, please contact your Tax Advisor for IRS form 8283 and they will advise you on any further procedures necessary.

To make a gift of cryptocurrency, please contact David Rice at drice@firstfolio.org or call 630-986-8067.

Legacy Society

The First Folio Legacy Society is a group of committed supporters who have included First Folio Theatre in their estate planning. Joining this group ensures future decades of world-class theater. Please consider sharing your passion for First Folio Theatre with future generations and make us as strong and long-lasting as Mayslake Hall by designating a planned gift to the theater.

Whether it is a bequest, trust, annuity or arrangement through your IRA, planned gifts of all sizes support First Folio’s long-term fiscal stability and reduce your taxable estate for federal tax purposes.

Questions: Contact David Rice at drice@firstfolio.org or call 630-986-8067.