Where There’s a Will, There’s a Way
By: Erica Ehm [Kawartha Lakes Weekly Feature]
At our last board meeting for the Flato Academy Theatre, we were having one of those tough conversations every nonprofit eventually faces.
The cost of running the theatre continues to rise. Booking artists is becoming more expensive. Audiences have returned after the pandemic, thankfully, but operating a historic theatre is never simple. And then, just to make things more interesting, a massive rainstorm rolled through town and damaged part of our roof. Water began leaking onto the stage.
If it’s not one thing, it’s another.
So, there we were, a room full of volunteers, talking through roofing companies, budgets, repairs, grants, fundraising and contingency plans. This is the reality of serving on a working board, solving problems to help keep one of the cultural jewels of Kawartha Lakes alive.
As the meeting wrapped up and we started gathering our coats, our treasurer paused and said, almost casually, “Oh, I forgot to mention something. We were contacted by the executors of a gentleman who recently passed away,” he said. “He left a percentage of his estate to the theatre.”
We froze.
“What?” someone said. “Can you repeat that?”
“Yes,” he smiled. “We’ll be receiving a substantial cheque from a local gentleman who loved this theatre.”
If you could have seen the expressions around that table. Shock. Gratitude. Relief. Joy. And then someone blurted out what we were all thinking:
“Well… that pays for the roof!”
The whole room erupted.
What struck me most wasn’t just the financial impact, although it was significant. It was the emotion behind it. This gentleman loved the theatre enough to make sure it would still be standing long after he was gone. His generosity instantly became part of the theatre’s future.
That’s the thing about legacy giving. It isn’t really about money. It’s about love.
Love for music. Love for community. Love for the magic that happens when the lights dim and strangers gather to feel something. Together, as a community.
However, the practical side of love is making sure your gift goes as far as possible. When you choose to include the theatre in your will, you aren't just protecting a stage; you are making a savvy financial decision for your estate.
Because the theatre is a registered charity, a bequest can significantly reduce the taxes your estate would otherwise owe by claiming a charitable tax credit. Instead of a large portion of your life's work going to the government, it stays right here in Kawartha Lakes, ensuring the lights stay on and the roof stays dry for the next generation.
You don’t need to leave a lot to make a profound difference. Even a small percentage of an estate can have enormous impact for a community theatre like ours. As one board member said during our planning discussions, “It isn’t about the amount. It’s about adding anything, just putting us in your will.”
Your legacy can reflect what you value by specifying how you want your gift used. Maybe supporting youth theatre matters to you. Maybe you want underprivileged children to experience the arts. Maybe you’re passionate about live music and want to help bring incredible artists to town. Maybe you simply want to preserve one of Canada’s oldest live theatres and keep this beautiful historic building thriving for future generations.
During our meeting, we talked about the importance of helping people fall in love with the theatre. One board member had us all nodding in agreement with this: “You don’t get people to fall in love with the theatre enough to give money without experiencing it or feeling a part.”
Exactly. Legacy giving begins with connection. With a memory. A first date. A concert. A child’s first performance. A standing ovation. Swooning over the lead singer from a band you got to see up close in your own town.
Our theatre helps to create those moments for our community. But none of it happens automatically. Behind every show is a group of dedicated people working to keep the doors open, the lights on, the roof repaired and the programming alive.
The reality is, arts organizations everywhere are struggling. Costs are rising. Funding is uncertain. Yet the need for connection, creativity and shared experience has never been greater. It’s why gifts like the one we received matter so deeply.
And honestly? Sitting in that boardroom watching a room full of exhausted volunteers light up with hope was one of the most moving moments I’ve experienced since joining the board.
So, here’s my ask. If you haven’t been to the Flato Academy Theatre lately, come back. Fall in love with this beautiful old theatre all over again.
And if the theatre has meant something to you over the years, perhaps you’ll consider donating today, or later, as part of your legacy.
Because where there’s a will… there truly is a way.
To learn more about Legacy Giving: Click Here
