Donations must be received before end of year to qualify

For immediate release: Tuesday, November 15, 2022

Make a donation to O.P.E.R.A.'s fund drive before the end of the year and your contribution will be double-matched by Ellendale Opera House supporters.

The "All-In, All-School Fund Drive" ends Dec. 31, and to further encourage contributions, anonymous supporters will now provide a double-match for all donations made by year's end, up to a maximum of $10,000.

The double match was available previously only for donations from new O.P.E.R.A. contributors. To date, some $3,000 has been donated to the fund drive by first-time O.P.E.R.A. contributors.

Another $31,000 has been donated by supporters who have contributed in previous years to the opera house. Those donations will be matched dollar-for-dollar by supporters up to a maximum of $20,000.

The total contributions to the "All-In, All-School Fund Drive," along with the matching dollars, now stands at just under $60,000.

If an additional $7,000 can be raised before the end of the year, the fund drive would net just over $80,000 for the non-profit organization.

If you've thought about contributing to restoration of the Main Street landmark, this year's fund drive is seeking to enlist your financial support to achieve the full double-match amount.

Also new this year:
• An "Acres for O.P.E.R.A." program is being offered to provide farm owners the ability to donate a portion of their crop to the non-profit organization. Donating grain directly to O.P.E.R.A. can provide added tax benefits. (Farm owners should consult a tax professional to determine if the program would benefit them. Contact O.P.E.R.A. for details or to be mailed a grain donation form.)

The name of this year's fund drive refers to the Ellendale High School All-School Reunion that was held in July.

O.P.E.R.A. began its current "Building Our Future and Preserving Our Past" capital campaign in late 2018 to raise funds to bring the 1909 opera house back to full use by the community.

Last year, the group raised just over $78,000 during its "Next Step" fund drive.

To contribute, mail your donation to O.P.E.R.A., Inc. at P.O. Box 334, Ellendale, ND 58436, or donate online. Click on the "Donate" at top of page.

O.P.E.R.A. – Organization of People in Ellendale for Restoration of the Arts – was formed in 1992 to save the Main Street landmark from the wrecking ball.

Because O.P.E.R.A. is a charitable non-profit organization, all donations are tax deductible to the full extent allowed by law.

All donors will have their names listed on a display in the Opera House Lobby & Gallery. Donations can be made to honor other individuals or family members and have those names listed on the donor display.
For additional information, call 701-535-0347 or email jmmeid@hotmail.com.