Ely's Historic State Theater

A nonprofit organization

$10,807 raised by 48 donors

54% complete

$20,000 Goal

INVEST IN YOUR COMMUNITY!  Support movies and live events at Ely's Historic State Theater!

EHST’s board has pledged $10,000 to match your donations through November 30. Proceeds will be used for movies and live events at the State Theater by:

  • Maintaining our $5 movie ticket
  • Purchasing speakers, microphones, and cabling for live music
  • Redesigning our website 
  • Booking unique entertainment events

Ely's Historic State Theater has been open for two and a half years. During that time, we have hosted:

National Talent

  • Grammy Nominated Singer/Songwriter Cory Chisel 
  • Comedian/magician/ventriloquist Andy Gross
  • Award-winning bluegrass by Monroe Crossing
  • BeardFest 2022 with music by Charlie Parr

Local Talent

  • Quiltmaker’s Gift: The Musical
  • Reflections Dance Company
  • The Medium (Opera)
  • Local Holiday Concerts

We have also opened a second, more intimate theater, the Greenstone Cinema. Completion of the Greenstone Cinema has been the key to offering first-run movies, because it enables us to meet the distributors’ requirements of exclusive and continuous playback for two or more weeks. Having the second theater also enhances our flexibility to host live events and movies concurrently. 


Last year we asked you to help us purchase equipment to expand our live event options, and you came through for us! With the money raised, we were able to:

  • Purchase a high performance LED spotlight for live theater, concerts, and more
  • Install wiring from the stage to the control booth so presenters on stage can project video
  • Purchase additional seating and expand our capacity to 300 people for any performance

To date, Ely community members, businesses, and friends have donated over $500,000 to outfit our facility. We are continuing to grow, while also remaining affordable, but we can’t do it without your help. As a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation, Ely’s Historic State Theater is not in business solely to make money. Of course we need to cover our expenses, but our larger vision is to serve the community by making our space available for unique events that serve the public. 

Be a part of the success at Ely's Historic State Theater!  Your donation today will help expand the range of live events we can offer while maintaining our $5 movie ticket price. Donations up to $10,000 will be matched, doubling your impact! Donating is easy. You may donate here or through our website, elystatetheater.org, or by mail at Ely's Historic State Theater, PO Box 34, Ely, MN 55731. 


DID YOU KNOW? 

We keep only 30¢ for every $1 of a movie ticket. Films cost a percentage of your ticket, not a fixed amount. The more we charge for tickets, the more we pay. But a donation, we keep 100%.

INVEST IN YOUR COMMUNITY! Our $5 ticket allows everyone to attend movies year-round. We don’t make money from our tickets. Instead, we rely on your support to remain open. Help us keep movies and live events in Ely by donating today. Donate 1 ticket a month ($60 per year), and we’ll keep tickets affordable for you, your friends, and your neighbors.



Organization Data

Summary

Organization name

Ely's Historic State Theater

Tax id (EIN)

81-1555494

Categories

Arts & Culture Children & Family Community

Address

PO BOX 34
Ely, MN 55731

Phone

218 235 6300