Dear <<First Name>>,

I’m writing to say thank you.

Thank you for believing that a community-based, non-profit cinema could work. I’m in awe of how far we’ve come in five years, and so much of that is thanks to our donors, our members, and our patrons.

In 2015, when FGT took over management of the Old Greenbelt Theatre, we faced a steep learning curve. While I’d done years of research—going to industry conferences, speaking with other cinema directors, and more—there is nothing like being thrown straight into the fire. Our non-profit model was untested, but very soon, the theater was thriving. We swiftly became the community hub I’d always imagined.

In 2018, we ran our first capital campaign—our Save Me a Seat Campaign—to replace the seats in the auditorium. We had an audacious goal of $100,000 that I wasn’t sure we’d reach. Incredibly, within six short months, we’d surpassed the goal, raising $120,000. This meant not only did OGT get new seats, but we got new draperies, an upgraded sound system, and more!

Faced with a five month renovation to make these improvements, we knew we needed to get creative...so we installed a Pop-up cinema next door thanks to a single, extremely generous donor. But we knew this couldn't be temporary. At five years old, FGT was ready to GROW!

We launched our Beyond the Screen Initiative, aiming to raise $250,000 to build a secondary, permanent Screening Room and a visionary new Media Arts Literacy Lab. This time, in six short months, we've raised over $240,000! Our dreams feel so close to coming true!

As cinemas like ours are shuttering their doors all over the country, we are grateful to be growing our operations and expanding our offerings. But one thing is very clear to me...this would not be happening if it weren’t for YOU. Your membership keeps our projector humming, and your gifts are helping us grow.

So I call on you one more time. Will you help secure the future of the Old Greenbelt Theatre by making your gift to the Beyond the Screen Initiative today?

Your gifts of $25, $50, and $100 have gotten us to where we are today, and those gifts can help us build the future of this historic cinema.

Thank you for believing in us. I hope I can count on you once again today.

Many thanks,
Caitlin McGrath
Founder & Executive Director,
Friends of Greenbelt Theatre