Lt. Gov. Crouch, IHCDA Launch Crowdfunding Campaign For Historic Evansville Theatre

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$50,000 Goal To Receive Matching Grant Through IHCDA’s CreatINg Places Initiative

Evansville, Ind. (Oct. 15, 2021) – Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch and the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority today announced a partnership with Friends of the Victory Inc. to restore a local piece of Evansville history. Evansville residents will soon restore local history if this crowdfunding campaign reaches its goal of raising $50,000 by Nov. 15, 2021. If successful, the project led by Friends of the Victory Inc. will receive a matching grant as part of the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority’s (IHCDA) CreatINg Places program.

“The Victory Theater has been an anchor of my hometown’s arts community for a century,” Crouch said. “This campaign will help restore an Evansville treasure and light the way for Hoosiers to come enjoy performances in this historic venue for years to come.”

Funds from this campaign will restore the over 100-year-old theater’s marquee, honoring its history and the legacy of the arts in Evansville. Funds will be used to manufacture and install a historic blade sign, install an LED message board to support arts events, and create a public event to celebrate the lighting of the historic sign. “The replica of the historic Victory marquee will serve not only as a symbol for the theatre itself but as an iconic symbol of historic downtown Evansville”, said Scott Schoenike, President of the Friends of Victory. “We are grateful that the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority’s CreatINg Places program is assisting us in the final fundraising for this project.”

The CreatINg Places program began in 2016, projects have raised more than $5.5 million in public funds and an additional $4.5 million in matching IHCDA funds.

The program is available to projects located in Indiana communities. Non-profit entities (with 501c3 or 501c4 status) and Local Units of Government are eligible to apply.

Eligible projects must have a minimum total development cost of $10,000, where the recipient will receive $5,000 in IHCDA matching funds should it successfully raise $5,000 through Patronicity. IHCDA will provide matching grant funds up to $50,000 per project.