HOT Season of Giving Header

HOT’s Guide to the Season of Giving

While the temperatures may not cool in Hawai’i, the holiday season is quickly approaching! We can’t think of a better way to start the season of giving than #GivingTuesday. Now through the end of 2021, we’re celebrating the continued generosity of our Hawai’i Opera Theatre ‘ohana with numerous ways to show your support.

As loyal patrons of Hawai‘i Opera Theatre, you know better than anyone the integral role that HOT plays in our local community—providing dynamic and innovative programming for more than 10,000 audience members annually, as well as vital exposure to the performing arts and arts education for over 20,000 keiki and their families across the entire state. We are eagerly preparing to raise the curtain on live performances this season with an appreciation for the healing, unifying power of the arts, but we need your help! Ticket sales cover less than half the cost of bringing our opera season to the stage. In addition, HOT relies on the support of volunteers and partner organizations to realize our mission. We invite you to join Hawai’i Opera Theatre in expressing your passion for opera and music-theatre, and encourage our local community to support HOT!

Check out all the ways to give this holiday season!

Donate to Hawai’i Opera Theatre

Become a member of Hawai’i Opera Theatre with a fully tax-deductible gift today! As a member, you have the satisfaction of knowing that you’re playing an important role in keeping opera thriving in Hawaii. HOT Memberships begin with gifts of $150+ and provide unique benefits to opera & theatre lovers. Explore our various levels of member benefits and see all the ways you can donate below:

  • General Donation: Every donation makes a difference and yours truly is the gift that keeps on giving—bringing opera directly into schools statewide and rich stories to life on the stage. Gifts are fully tax-deductible.
  • Recurring Gifts: Join our monthly giving program and provide a steady stream of support for HOT’s mainstage productions, education programs, and artist training. Did you know you can become a member for as little as $12.50 a month?
  • Matching Gifts: Does your employer sponsor a matching gift program to increase the impact of charitable gifts made by its employees? If so, kindly provide your company’s matching gifts form when you make your donation, and we’ll take care of the rest! Learn more about matching gifts.
  • Professional Groups: Are you an accountant, architect, dentist, lawyer, physician, realtor, or other working professional? Join one of our professional groups with a minimum donation of $175 to network among friends and peers as you sponsor important components of the season.
  • Gifts of Stocks: Gifts of appreciated securities—stocks, bonds, and mutual funds—can be a wonderful way to make a year-end donation and realize significant tax benefits at the same time. Plus, did you know the IRS allows Qualified Charitable Deductions from IRAs for individuals aged 70 1/2 or older? This means you can donate up to $100,000 ($200,000 for a married couple) directly from your IRA without it being considered taxable income.
  • Honorary & Memorial Gifts: Celebrate a special moment in the life friends and family with a meaningful gift in their name. Or make a memorial gift in memory of a loved one. Both will receive special recognition in our programs.
  • Legacy Gifts: There are many creative gift planning ideas that can benefit both you and Hawai’i Opera Theatre in your will or trust. Learn more about how you can join Hawai’i Opera Theatre’s Legacy Society.

Make your gift today—donate online or call 808-596-7372 for more information. Did you know you can also donate by text? It’s easy! Text “HOT” to (727) 626-5944 to give today.

Volunteer

HOT relies on a wide range of volunteers to make opera in Hawaiʻi possible. In fact, more than 500 volunteers help us produce our mainstage operas, various productions, and annual Opera Ball gala throughout the year. If you would like to contribute your time, talent and energy to the arts—and enjoy spending time with creative, hard-working crews—consider joining the HOT volunteer network. Volunteers help with make-up, wigs, costumes, special events, archiving, front of house and more. Contact Brandann Hill-Mann at b_hillmann@hawaiiopera.org for more information.

Other Ways to Volunteer:

  • Host Housing: One of the most important and rewarding things that you can do to help is opening your home to one of our fabulous opera professionals! If you have a spare guest room, suite, studio or cottage, host housing can be a wonderful and much-needed way to become more involved in our opera productions. You’ll get to know our world-class singers, conductors, and designers; gain a unique behind-the-scenes perspective of the opera world; and support Hawaiʻi Opera Theatre in a truly meaningful way. Contact Brandann Hill-Mann at b_hillmann@hawaiiopera.org or Blythe Kelsey at b_kelsey@hawaiiopera.org to learn more.
    • Up to four weeks of accommodations.
    • Comfortable and private room, preferably with an en-suite or private bathroom, WiFi Internet, and kitchen privileges.
    • Hosts receive a free pair of tickets to a performance and other perks.
  • HOT Chorus: The Hawaii Opera Theatre Chorus, directed by Nola A. Nahulu, is made up of a wonderful community of singers who come from all walks of life: doctors, professors, biologists, botanists, teachers, homemakers, contractors, lawyers, accountants, retirees, students, and more. Learn more about chorus auditions.
  • In-Kind Support: Have a service you’d like to share, product you’d like to donate, or are looking to partner with HOT? Contact Kristen Lau-Grover at k_laugrover@hawaiiopera.org to explore other opportunities.

Shop For A Cause

Did you know you could be giving back with the purchases you make? Shop new & gently used designer and luxury clothing, accessories, and household items every Thursday from 10am-3pm at ACT II, located at Hawai’i Opera Plaza. All proceeds support HOT.

Doing your holiday shopping online?
Choose Hawaii Opera Theatre as your favorite charity to support via Amazon Smile!

Share Your Experience

Word of mouth is a powerful tool and it’s never been easier to connect HOT with your friends and family! See how you can continue to support HOT, at no cost to you:

  • Follow us and tag @HawaiiOperaTheatre on Instagram and @HawaiiOpera on Facebook and Twitter in your posts! Plus like, comment, save, and share HOT’s social media content with your followers.
  • Leave us a review on Google, Yelp, or Facebook after seeing one of our performances!
  • Forward HOT’s email newsletters to a friend! Haven’t subscribed to our emails? Contact us to sign up!
  • Forgoing gifts this season? Create a fundraiser for Hawai’i Opera Theatre on Facebook, or share HOT’s donate button on your Instagram stories!