Those running the Red Deer Festival of the Performing Arts hope the spirit of giving continues even after Santa is back relaxing at the North Pole.
The festival, entering its 51st year in 2014, will make a big fundraising push in January, hoping to raise 40 per cent more than it has in recent years to cover some additional costs.
The festival is used to raising about $30,000 annually, but will look to bring in another $12,000 in 2014.
“We need a number of donors to pitch in because we’re looking at a deficit of around $12,000,” said festival society president Paul Gowans, “It’s a fairly onerous task right now.”
The majority of festival performances take place at Red Deer College, which has had an agreement with the festival since 2002.
That deal was recently renegotiated, with the festival having to pay an additional $2,000 in each of the next four years to use the space.
In addition, through the old agreement the college had made an employee available to serve as director, but that is no longer the case.
The organizing committee has now hired its own part-time director, raising its costs.
The festival last year ran on a budget of approximately $80,000.
Much of the revenues needed came through participant registrations, but organizers looked to raise approximately $30,000 through donations.
Gowans said the festival board has identified some 200 business that it will contact in late December and early January, seeking support.
The festival committee will also accept participant registrations up until the deadline of Jan. 31.
Gowans said registration numbers have stayed relatively stable over the last few years at around 1,000 entries and more than 5,000 participants.
Anyone interested in donating to the festival can contact director Ashley Miller at ashley.miller@reddeerkiwanisfestival.org.