Garden Theatre

Help Us Upgrade the Garden’s Projection Booth

We’re launching a vital two-phase campaign to upgrade the heart of our cinema: the projection booth. These upgrades are essential to offering world-class film experiences to our community, and we need your help to make it happen.

Donate Today

Phase 1: New 4K Digital Projectors

In 2013, theaters nationwide made the mandatory switch to digital projection. These systems have a lifespan of about 10 years, and ours are now 12 years old.

To continue showing the latest releases and newly restored classics in the highest possible quality, we must replace our aging equipment. Your support will help us install two state-of-the-art 4K laser projectors, ensuring another decade (and more) of cinematic experiences at the Garden.

These new projectors will:

Provide sharper, brighter images for all films.
Allow us to present new and classic films in their best possible form.
Support our ability to stay innovative while honoring the art of cinema.

Phase 2: Restoring 35mm Film Projection

For over a century, movies were shown on film. We're proud to have two 35mm/16mm projectors in our booth anxiously waiting to be brought back to life. With your help, we can install them properly and acquire the specialized lenses needed for projection.

Once complete, we’ll be able to:

Screen rare films not available in digital format.
Present archival prints in their original form.
Offer hands-on educational programs about the history and craft of cinema.

Your Support Makes It Possible

These upgrades are crucial to our mission of showcasing film as an art form. Whether you’re a longtime cinephile, a supporter of local arts, or simply someone who loves the magic of the movies, your donation will make a lasting impact.

Donate today! Help us protect the future and history of film at The Garden.

GIVE NOW

100% of your gift
goes to the theater.

Did you know that 50% of our ticket and concession sales immediately goes out the door to film distributors and suppliers? 100% of your gift ensures the nonprofit Garden Theatre continues the mission to be a welcoming community center and important arts organization.

Ways to give.

Gifts are tax-deductible, and can be made several ways. Below, you'll find information on different options, as well as programs that you can take advantage of.

Online The easiest way to make a contribution. Donating online is secure and takes only a moment. Make an online gift today »

By mail You can find mailing instructions, and a printable mail-in donation form here.

In person Donation forms are available in our lobby. Our staff would be happy to assist or answer any questions you may have.

Over the phone To speak with us directly and to arrange your gift by phone, contact: Lauren Nonini, Development Director, 215-348-1878 Ext. 115.

Donor-Advised Funds (DAF)

Donations to Garden Theatre can be made through a Donor-Advised Fund. Donor-Advised Funds (DAF) are a tax-efficient way to manage charitable donations. DAFs allow donors to make a charitable contribution, receive an immediate tax deduction and then recommend grants from the fund over time. Garden Theatre's tax I.D. number is 23-3077859.

Matching gifts

Many companies will double or even triple your donations. Click here to see if your employer offers a matching gift program.

Stock gifts

Donating securities is easy and may be advantageous come tax season. You can consult your financial advisor and ask if giving a gift of stocks to support the theater is the right decision for you. If youâ€™re considering donating securities, please contact: Lauren Nonini, Development Director at 215-348-1878 x115.

Bequests

You can help secure the future of the Garden Theatre by making a gift to our endowment through your will or estate. Your foresight and generosity ensures the enduring success of the theater for generations to come.

Are you taking a required
minimum distribution from your IRA?

Contact your financial advisor or the firm holding your IRA or Beneficiary Inherited IRA to request a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD). IRA account holders aged 70Â½ and older may take tax-free distributions from a Traditional or Beneficiary IRA and donate the amount distributed to an eligible tax- exempt charitable organization. (You may take a QCD from a Roth IRA; however, since these distributions are generally tax-free, the same tax benefits will not accrue. A different means of contributing these monies may be more advantageous to you.)

The Garden Theatre (Garden Theatre, Inc.) is a 501(c)(3) organization qualified to receive these contributions under IRS code. Please ensure that your check payable directly to the Garden Theatre. You may not take receipt of these funds and then issue a personal check for your contribution and qualify for the special tax considerations of the QCD.

The QCD amount can represent all or a portion of your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) for the tax year; or more, should that make sense from a tax and estate planning perspective. The total of all QCDs for a single tax year cannot exceed $100,000 per individual taxpayer. The QCD will be reported by the firm holding your IRA to you and the IRS on Form 1099-R as a normal distribution (Code 7) based on your age. You must document this tax-free qualification to the IRS on your Federal income tax return (Form 1040). Please visit the IRS website, or contact a professional tax advisor for more information. The Garden Theatre will provide you with a letter confirming your contribution, this should be retained with your tax records.