Foundation announces $100,000 grant for Astra Theatre group

A $100,000 grant through the Dubois County Community Foundation will kickstart fundraising efforts by a new nonprofit seeking to reopen the Astra Theatre in Jasper.

The foundation and members of Next Act, Inc., a new nonprofit formed to purchase, refurbish, and maintain the 77-year-old venue, met today in the cold theatre with representatives of the City of Jasper and about 50 community members to make the announcement of the largest grant in the foundation’s history.

Leslie Hamby, a member of Next Act, Inc., stated the group has a desire to enhance the quality of life in the county in a rich in meaningful way. “The Astra holds a special place in many community members’ hearts. It is firmly rooted in our community’s history,” she said. “We see the Astra project as embracing that history while also looking forward to creating a unique arts and entertainment venue that will serve once again as a strong community gathering place.”

The $100,000 matching grant announced today will help fund a $300,000 endowment designed to assist in the maintenance of the old theatre. In addition to the $300,000 endowment, the group will be raising $165,000 for the purchase of the theatre as part of phase one of a plan to reopen it.

Next Act, Inc. board members include Marc Steczyk, Leslie Hamby, Courtney Knies, Jay Hamlin, Selena Vonderheide, and Eddie Luegers. The group formed about two months ago to begin the process of reopening the Astra as an attractive performing arts venue.

The group decided an endowment was necessary to maintain the community asset for the long term.

“We’re looking ahead and want to assure the future of this community asset, so, it was critical to build an endowment as part of our fundraising efforts from day one,” Marc Steczyk, president of Next Act, said.

For every two dollars Next Act, Inc. raises for the $300,000 endowment, the signature grant through the foundation will match with one dollar.

Funding for the signature grant will come from more than 50 unrestricted endowments from individuals, businesses and community groups established with the foundation.

“The community foundation has long envisioned making a grant of this significance towards a community project,” Brad Ward, the foundation executive director, said in his remarks today. “The fact it is bridging generations of leaders, partnering with a strong institution like Jasper Community Arts, benefiting our downtown, re-purposing a historic theatre, and launching a new era for the performing arts is beyond what we could have imagined.”

Ward explained the foundation will continue to take a catalytic approach in community projects but acknowledged the generosity and trust of the many individuals and organizations that created endowments has made that approach possible. “We have been very conservative in those early days as we built the foundation,” Ward said. “We are a $26 million community foundation and that is typically unheard of in a foundation of our size and age.”

After hearing the group’s plans last month at the Jasper Community Arts Commission meeting, the commission agreed to partner with the nonprofit to manage the property.

The nonprofit, Next Act, Inc., is currently applying for 501(c)3 nonprofit status but has already begun to raise funds for the campaign. An account through the community foundation has been established for the group. Members of the community interested in supporting the group’s fundraising efforts can contact the Dubois County Community Foundation,600 McCrillus St. in Jasper at 812-482-5295; or use this link for more information and to make a donation.