4 minute read
Philanthropy Leaders
Black Hills Area Community Foundation
Philanthropy Leaders for the BHP
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The Black Hills Area Community Foundation holds the Landon Fund, an endowment created in memory of Stephen Landon, a talented scenic designer for the BHP. BHACF also supported BHP Education programs by helping to fund a Mac computer which made it possible to create online programs for school children during the pandemic. The foundation also supported the creation of the New Frontier Theatre making it possible for us to play in the Park this summer.
Since its earliest inception, the BHPAA organized reunions to bring new and old alums together. It has organized and executed several major projects for the good of the BHP including raising funds to build Haberman Hall, producing a fundraiser to buy drapes for the stage, organizing reunions (in 2021 over Zoom!), and, now, pledging to raise $75,000 for the $200,000 plus On Your Side project which will preserve and strengthen the Warren M. Lee Theatre by insulating and re-roofing the building and insulating Warren M. Lee Theatre. The BHP is grateful for all of their critical support over the years.
The First Interstate Area Custer Fund has supported the Playhouse many times over the past decade at critical times. In 2021 they granted $10,000 to support the On Your Side: Siding and Insulation Campaign to strengthen and preserve the historic Warren M. Lee Theatre.
The Garrisons have provided significant annual support to the Playhouse for years which has resulted in the growth of innovative statewide arts programs and improvements to the BHP in Custer State Park. Every year this support is kindly matched by the Shell Foundation which increases their donation impact! In addition, in 2020 they donated funds for the development of the New Frontier Theatre to make sure that we were able to get back in the Park in 2021.
Walter Gislason and Raeanna Taake met at the Black Hills Playhouse in 1963 and were married in 1964, spending seven summers working at the Playhouse. Over the years they have provided generous annual operating and capital project support to the place which brought them together. For many years, Walt arranged for fresh picked corn on the cob, brats, and turkey to be flown to Rapid City to feed the company. The Gislasons are also generous supporters of the University of South Dakota College of Fine Arts.
Jeff loves the BHP and shows it in many ways as a donor, fundraiser, volunteer, and performer, working to beautify the BHP Campus by creating and maintaining memorial gardens and taking charge of the grounds. We are grateful to Jeff for sharing his passion for gardening and donating his time to make the magic happen. This year Jeff has added yet another lead role for the BHP as the Box Office Manager for this season. And as expected, he is terrific.
Deb and her family are long-time supporters of the BHP. In 2020 Deb went the extra mile by offering to be a matching donor for the Day of Giving fundraiser, The Big Bounce. The event raised over $25,000 thanks to Deb’s generosity and inspiration to other donors.
Mark and Carolyn have a long history of attending and supporting the Black Hills Playhouse. Mark served on the board from 1985-1989. He organized fundraisers for the endowment, worked to improve the Playhouse theatre courtyard, and advocated with Governor Janklow to award a community development grant which retired outstanding debt and constructed new buildings. In recent years the Mollers have donated generously to upgrade the sound system in the theatre, helped build the New Frontier Theater to get us back in the Park in 2021, and contributed to the On Your Side Siding and Insulation project. Mark and Carolyn offered a match challenge which resulted in the Playhouse raising over $25,000 at the end of 2020. Friends like these are friends indeed.
Julie is a passionate advocate for arts and culture in our region, supporting many causes. Through the Oswald Family Foundation, she has donated significantly to the Black Hills Playhouse since 2013 for operations, program, and capital, strengthening and preserving the Playhouse for future generations. In addition, she is co-owner of The Custer Beacon, which provides the Southern Black Hills with a space to eat, drink, play, and be together. Check out this amazing entertainment venue at custerbeacon.com.
Friends and colleagues donated in memory of Jerry after he passed away on February 28th of this year. Jerry was passionate about the Playhouse and devoted incredible time and effort to saving and preserving it for future generations when its very existence was in question. Jerry and his wife Kelly helped support the Playhouse in many ways by attending fundraisers and donating to specific campaigns. See Season Dedication page 54.
NWE Property Management - Northwestern Engineering Company (“NWE”) incorporated in South Dakota in 1927 as an engineering and contracting company. The company ’s early history as contractors evolved into real estate ownership and then property management. During 2020, when all income to the Black Hills Playhouse came to a screeching halt, we reached out to NWE with help in finding a new home for our offices. They came to our aid and donated approximately $13,000 in rental services to the BHP.
