Egyptian Theatre launches COVID-19 relief fund to help reduce financial burden from pandemic

DeKALB – The Egyptian Theatre, 135 N. Second St. in DeKalb, has launched a COVID-19 relief fund to help with the impact the pandemic has had on the 90-year-old theatre.

Due to COVID-19, the Egyptian Theatre has already had more than 50 events cancelled or postponed with more than 20 groups including local dance studios, non-profits organizations and local school districts having been impacted. With a monthly operational cost of near $25,000 the Egyptian Theatre is looking to the community for support.

This special campaign has been established with the DeKalb County Community Foundation, the Farny R. Wurlitzer Foundation Fund, state wide and local sources. Donors can help unlock a pool of $14,000 for the Egyptian Theatre after $6,000 is raised by Saturday, Aug. 1. Ultimately, the theater hopes to stretch their fundraising efforts to raise $25,000 which covers one month of expenses.

Jeanine Holcomb, the theater’s marketing and communications director, said that raising $25,000 will “make a huge difference.”

“The money raised will ensure that when we can re-open, we are in the position to hit the ground running,” Holcomb said. “We’ll be able to offer the same great level of arts and entertainment as soon as we can.”

Holcomb said that a difficulty during the pandemic is that “the arts were the first to close and will the last to open due restrictions of large gatherings.”

“We want to keep the arts on people’s minds so that when we can open, we’ll be ready to welcome in the community.”

Anyone wishing to make a tax-deductible donation can do so online at www.EgyptianReliefFund.org or by mailing a check to the DeKalb County Community Foundation at 475 DeKalb Ave., Sycamore, Illinois 60178. Make note in the check's memo line that your donation is for the Egyptian Relief Fund.