All gifts to the National Theatre School – no matter what size and no matter what form – are welcome and have a positive impact on the students’ training and the School’s continued success.
The National Theatre School is recognized as a charitable organization under the rules and regulations of Canada Customs and Revenue Agency and the Income Tax Act (charity registration #13053 3979 RR001). The School provides tax receipts for all charitable donations.
Download the list of NTS donors who have made new gifts or pledges of $1,000 or more, cumulative from August 1, 2008 to July 31, 2012 by clicking here (pdf).
Donor Profiles
Dialogue with a donor - Mr Tojo Majumdar
Mr. Tojo Majumdar — donor, theatre-goer and parent of NTS alumna Anita Majumdar, Acting 2004
What was your most magical or inspiring theatre experience and why?
Well, I'm biased, but the most inspiring theatre experience in my memory is my daughter Anita's performance of a Judith Thompson monologue from a play called "I Am Yours" while she was a student at the NTS.
It was only a short solo speech by the character Mercy (the "Pennies" speech) but Anita brought out a kind of pathos in the character that really made me believe she was that person. She was the only person on that stage and, without the aid of props or a set, she transported me to a place where I saw my daughter, but also saw a totally different person.
I found that magical and so moving it brought me to tears — I will never forget that night in the theatre.
Why do you support the NTS?
I support the NTS to promote the culture and history of this country and I am motivated to do so because my daughter Anita attended the School. I feel the NTS requires additional subsidies from private sources in order to maintain such a rich education program for future artists of this country.
Anita has a vibrant career in the arts today because of the training she earned at the School. For that reason, I feel grateful to the NTS and want future artists to enjoy the same kind of education, career and opportunities that my daughter has enjoyed.
What three words would you say best describe the NTS?
Three words that work together — the NTS is a "Rewarding Professional Experience"!
IODE Canada — a long-time supporter of our student bursary program
Canadian history records that, in 1900, one woman made an enormous difference to the scope of humanitarian charitable work in Canada and the British Empire. Margaret Polson Murray was 55 years old when her clear vision, strength and determination began a monumental movement to form the Federation of the Daughters of the Empire, today known as IODE.
The IODE structure is made up of women in chapters who contribute to their communities and support the ideals of their Founder as they volunteer to make a difference to Canadian society.
In reflecting Canadian society and making a difference in communities, the IODE has been funding direct bursaries at the NTS for more than 40 years.
This year, Juliane Desrosiers Lavoie and Mélanie Granger were chosen as the recipients of the IODE Direct Bursaries. As noted by Catherine Rideout, Director of Development for the NTS, these IODE bursaries, in the amount of $1,500 each, are issued to two students annually. This support is very important — generously supporting these young adults as they embark on careers.
Edmonton Community Foundation — Helping us to support Art and Artists in Alberta
Edmonton Community Foundation works with donors and the community to transform individual dreams of helping others into reality through permanent endowment funds.
In 2011, the NTS established a Theatre Engaging Communities (TEC) fund at the Edmonton Community Foundation. The fund is called the National Theatre School and Community Engagement Fund and it is the second NTS Alberta-based endowment fund. As noted in the Legacy In Action magazine published by the ECF, this fund is for artists who are attending or have recently graduated from the NTS. For these artists:
finding the money to start career-building projects can be challenging. But a new fund will ease some of the difficulty. Its goal is to back theatre projects that engage audiences and address social and community issues. (S. Findlay, Legacy In Action, ECF Autumn 2011)
Funds established in Community Foundations are 'matched' by the Federal Government at a rate of up to $0.81 on the dollar. Investment in the NTS through community foundation partners like the Edmonton Community Foundation creates additional leveraged funds and a pool of support that extends across the country.
National Bank — a generous supporter of the NTS
National Bank has committed $500 000 to the National Theatre School, directing this donation to Creation & Technology and to endowed bursary funds.
Louis Vachon, President and CEO of National Bank, served as Co-Chair for the NTS' Revealing Talent Campaign.
"Without the supportive guidance of National Bank and Louis Vachon, the NTS would have been unable to secure the level of private support that we have through Revealing Talent. Their gift to us is extraordinary. We are most grateful," stated Simon Brault, CEO of the NTS.
Since its founding in 1859, National Bank has considered GIVING to be essential. Through donations and sponsorships — National Bank has provided communities with important economic and social development support.
Year after year, National Bank invests millions of dollars in communities — positively impacting the quality of life for people across Canada.
NTS Supporters
