MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- The United Performing Arts Fund (UPAF) announced on Wednesday, March 19th it will provide a one-time $250,000 gift to the Milwaukee Repertory Theater's building fund. The gift is in response to The Rep's critical need of $1.75 million to help fund repairs to their building, which is settling because of rotten wood pilings that are underneath its foundation. There is no immediate danger to staff or patrons, but the slow settling of the building is a problem that needs to be resolved.
The Rep has been a Member Group since UPAF's inception in 1967. It receives the second highest annual allocation from UPAF. In 2013 The Rep earned the "Good Stewards Award," sponsored by Northwestern Mutual, at UPAF's Annual Meeting. This annual award recognizes one UPAF Member Group that receives the highest score in maintaining excellence in organizational performance.
Milwaukee Repertory Theater Managing Director Chad Bauman commented on the support of UPAF: "The Rep is greatly appreciative to UPAF for helping us with a gift of $250,000 to assist with our building repairs. While this was an unexpected problem for The Rep, we are being very proactive in our approach to implement a permanent solution. We thank the United Performing Arts Fund for being one of the first donors to step forward and generously support us in this important effort."
Dollars for The Rep's capital needs will come from UPAF's "Intangible Fund," which was created in 2002 by the UPAF Board of Directors. At the discretion of the UPAF Board, the Intangible Fund can provide distressed funding to a UPAF Cornerstone in an emergency situation.