Supporting the Future of the Arts

The Festival Antigonish Foundation was established in 2007 under the leadership of then Artistic Producer Ed Thomason and inaugural Foundation Chair Brian MacLeod. Supported by the generosity and drive of its inaugural Directors, the creation of the Foundation marked a remarkable chapter in our theatre company’s success story.  

Brian and Irene MacLeod were among the Foundation’s earliest and most important champions. As initial donors and guiding forces behind the creation of the Foundation, their leadership helped establish a lasting legacy of support for professional theatre in Antigonish. Through a generous legacy gift from the Estate of Brian MacLeod, that commitment continues to strengthen the Foundation’s long-term impact and ensure the theatre can thrive for future generations.  

With generous donations from longstanding supporters and philanthropists, along with significant matching support from the Department of Canadian Heritage Endowment Incentives Fund, the Festival Antigonish Foundation endowment now sits at approximately $1.25 million. Since its creation, the Department of Canadian Heritage Endowment Incentives Fund has contributed approximately $400,000 in matching support, helping to grow the Foundation’s capacity and long-term sustainability. 

The Foundation operates as an independent charitable organization. Its endowment is responsibly managed by BMO Nesbitt Burns, with oversight from a diligent investment committee. Donations to the endowment are capitalized in perpetuity, and only annual income from the fund is granted to the theatre’s operating budget. This provides Festival Antigonish with a stable and sustainable source of revenue. 

The Festival Antigonish Foundation Endowment Fund now provides approximately $50,000 per year in grants to Festival Antigonish, supporting general operations, artistic programming, accessibility initiatives, infrastructure needs, and community outreach. Gifts to the Endowment Fund may be eligible for matching support through the Department of Canadian Heritage Endowment Incentives Fund. Gifts to the Endowment Fund should be made to The Festival Antigonish Foundation. 

Every gift helps. Your support allows the Foundation to increase its annual operating grant to the theatre, helping us keep ticket prices accessible while investing in more art, more outreach, and a stronger future for live performance in our region. It is the gift that will live forever. 

For more information, or to become a donor to the Foundation, please contact Managing Director Caleb Marshall at caleb@festivalantigonish.ca or call 902-867-3954.