What Tower Theatre Foundation does

Tower Theatre Foundation Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that owns and operates the historic 460-seat Tower Theatre, an Art Deco Moderne performing arts venue in downtown Bend, Oregon, originally constructed in 1940 and fully renovated in 2004. The foundation serves Central Oregon audiences and communities by hosting approximately 220 events per year — including concerts, theatre, dance, films, and corporate events — drawing more than 60,000 attendees annually, and by running ancillary programs such as the LessonPLAN education series (63,000+ students served since 2011), the Doug Watson Scholarship for performing arts students, the Page to Screen family film program, and the Sprout Film Festival for disability-inclusive programming.

The organization's business model is a diversified nonprofit revenue stack rather than a single-product model. Earned revenue comes from ticket sales (with an $8 Historic Preservation Fee per ticket), a seven-tiered membership program ranging from Spotlight ($100) to Champion ($5,000) with over 1,300 members, and venue rentals for the Tower Theatre and the adjacent Encore Community Space. Contributed revenue includes corporate sponsorships (anchored by Hayden Homes at the Spire level and Bend Surgery Center at the Marquee level alongside 60+ supporting sponsors), individual donations processed through Give Lively, grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, Oregon Cultural Trust, Oregon Community Foundation, and St. Charles Foundation, plus planned giving through the 1940 Legacy Society. Technology is non-proprietary: the foundation runs on the Spektrix third-party ticketing platform integrated with Dotdigital for email, Give Lively for donations, and standard venue production equipment including a Steinway Concert Grand Piano.

Governance is provided by a Board of Directors chaired by Gary Gallagher (retired surgeon, Bend Surgery Center) and led operationally by Executive Director Brian August. The organization employs 11–50 staff supported by nearly 200 volunteers, and its geographic footprint is intentionally concentrated in Central Oregon with no stated expansion ambitions beyond the regional market.

Name

Tower Theatre Foundation

Legal name

Tower Theatre Foundation Inc.

Website

https://towertheatre.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Tower Theatre Foundation is a Bend, Oregon-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating a historic 460-seat performing arts venue that hosts ~220 events annually for Central Oregon audiences, funded through ticket sales, memberships, sponsorships, donations, and grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts Venue

NAICS

Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (71111), Historical Sites (712120), Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (71)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Theater & Performing Arts Venue Operations (Playhouses, Opera Houses) (MPAGALAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Performing Arts Centers & Presenters (Programming/Booking) (MPAGABAM), Concert Halls & Music Venue Operations (Symphony Halls, Recital Venues) (MPAGALAC)

Keywords

• Performing arts venue
• Live event hosting
• Arts education programs
• Venue rental services
• Community performing arts

Headquarters

HQ city

Bend

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Revenue from ticket sales for all events at the Tower Theatre, including concerts, theatre performances, dance, films, and speakers. Historic Preservation Fee of $8 added to each ticket supports ongoing restoration and maintenance of the 1940 venue.
2. Memberships: Multi-tiered membership program with levels from Spotlight ($100) to Champion ($5,000). Members receive benefits including early access to tickets, free popcorn, complimentary drinks, VIP access, and recognition. Over 1,300 members support the organization.
3. Sponsorships: Corporate and individual sponsors underwrite portions of performance costs and receive recognition through printed materials, stage announcements, website, electronic communications, free tickets, and exclusive events. Sponsors include Hayden Homes (Spire Partner), Bend Surgery Center (Marquee), Stoller Wine Group, and many others.
4. Donations and Planned Giving: Direct donations, stock gifts, employer matching programs, donor-advised funds, IRA charitable distributions, and legacy gifts through the 1940 Legacy Society. BottleDrop recycling program supports the Tower Education Fund.
5. Venue Rentals: The theatre and adjacent Encore Community Space (750 sq ft) are available for rental for concerts, meetings, weddings, fundraisers, recitals, and special screenings. Rental includes use of box office, lobby, auditorium, stage, backstage, and green room.
6. Education Programs: LessonPLAN education program brings students to performances ($6 per student matinees, $3 for in-school performances). Funded by grants from National Endowment for the Arts, Oregon Cultural Trust, and other foundations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Tower Theatre Foundation operates a historic 460-seat Art Deco Moderne performing arts venue in downtown Bend, Oregon, hosting approximately 220 events annually including concerts, theatre, dance, films, and corporate events. It supplements ticketed performances with the Encore Community Space for smaller events, the LessonPLAN arts education program serving Central Oregon students, the Doug Watson Scholarship, and a tiered membership program. Revenue is generated through ticket sales, memberships, sponsorships, donations, grants, and venue rentals.

Product overview

Tower Theatre Foundation operates a single-venue performing arts organization centered on the historic Tower Theatre (460-seat Art Deco Moderne venue in Bend, Oregon). The portfolio consists of the core theatre venue hosting approximately 220 events annually, supplemented by the Encore Community Space for smaller events, the LessonPLAN education program connecting students to performing arts, the Doug Watson Scholarship supporting students' arts education, and various community engagement programs including Page to Screen and Sprout Film Festival. Additional revenue streams include venue rentals, membership programs at multiple tiers, and gift cards.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Tower Theatre Performing Arts Venue A historic 460-seat Art Deco Moderne performing arts venue in downtown Bend, Oregon, hosting approximately 220 events annually including concerts, theatre, dance, films, and corporate events. Owned and operated by the nonprofit Tower Theatre Foundation.
• Encore Community Space

Quantifiable outcome

• 63,000+ students connected to performing arts since 2011
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major, supporting and flagship.

• Bend Comedy and Arts FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-presents comedy events including performances by touring comedians at the Tower Theatre venue.
• Roundabout Books & CafecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPresents author events including book readings at the Tower Theatre, combining literary programming with the performing arts venue.
• Simplicity by Hayden HomesmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerLessonPLAN education program sponsor providing financial support for student access to performing arts programming.
• Central Oregon Radiology AssociatessupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerEducation program sponsor supporting LessonPLAN performances for Central Oregon students.
• Les SchwabsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerEducation program sponsor supporting arts education outreach in Central Oregon.
• Pacific PowersupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerEducation program sponsor supporting student access to performing arts.
• The Roundhouse FoundationsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerFoundation sponsor supporting education and community arts programming.
• First Interstate BanksupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerEducation program sponsor supporting student arts experiences.
• Hayden Homes (Spire Partner)flagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerSeason 2025-26 Spire-level sponsor; top-tier corporate sponsor receiving maximum visibility and recognition.
• Bend Surgery Center (Marquee Sponsor)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerMarquee-level sponsor for the 2025-26 season; receives prominent branding and recognition.
• Stoller Wine GroupmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerFeatured sponsor for 2025-26 season.
• City of BendcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal partner and sponsor; historic preservation funding; co-hosts events such as Bend Welcome Week.
• Deschutes Public LibrarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners on Page to Screen program showing films based on books; provides free books to children attending screenings.
• Assistance League of BendcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners on Page to Screen family movie nights providing free books and community programming.
• KultureCitysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides sensory inclusive certification and training; sensory bags with headphones, weighted pads, and toys available at events.
• Full Access High DesertcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDisability support organization co-presenting Sprout Film Festival celebrating creativity of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• Disability Support Network of Central OregoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-presents annual Sprout Film Festival with accessibility focus.
• SpektrixTechnology or IntegrationThird-party ticketing software platform processing all ticket sales and customer accounts.
• Give LivelysupportingTechnology or IntegrationDonations processing platform provider for online charitable contributions.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Lincoln Center: New York City's flagship performing arts complex hosting concerts, theater, dance, opera, and educational programming. Comparable education-driven outreach mission and nonprofit operating model, but at vastly larger scale and in a major metro market.
• Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza: Performing arts venue in Thousand Oaks, California, offering concerts, theater, and community events. Similar single-venue regional performing arts presentation but with public/municipal operational structure rather than independent nonprofit.
• Mesa Arts Center: Largest comprehensive arts campus in Arizona, presenting concerts, theater, dance, and visual arts with extensive education programs. Operates at broader scale with multiple venues but comparable nonprofit education-driven mission and arts programming.
• Roundabout Theatre Company: Nonprofit theater company producing plays and musicals across multiple venues. While operating at larger scale and broader scope than Tower Theatre, comparable nonprofit theater production and education program model targeting community engagement and student access.
• Carnegie Hall: Iconic nonprofit concert hall presenting classical, jazz, and world music with extensive education and community programs. Comparable historic single-venue model with similar education programming (LessonPLAN analogy: Carnegie Hall's education and community initiatives) and donor-supported nonprofit structure.

Direct peers

• Kravis Center for the Performing Arts: Nonprofit performing arts center in West Palm Beach, Florida, presenting concerts, theater, dance, and educational programs. Closely comparable in scale, programming breadth, and education-driven community mission.
• Lobero Theatre: A historic nonprofit performing arts theater in Santa Barbara, California, founded in 1930s and operating as a 501(c)(3). Operates a similar single-venue performing arts model with comparable community education and member-driven revenue streams.
• Lensic Performing Arts Center: Nonprofit historic performing arts center in Santa Fe, New Mexico, presenting concerts, theater, dance, and films. Closely matches Tower's model of operating a single restored historic venue with diverse programming and educational outreach.
• Des Moines Performing Arts Center: Nonprofit performing arts center in Des Moines, Iowa, hosting concerts, theater, and educational programs including student matinees. Similar mid-size market nonprofit venue model with comparable programming and education outreach.

Regional players

• Hult Center for the Performing Arts: Major performing arts venue in Eugene, Oregon, presenting touring performing arts events including concerts, theater, and dance. Directly comparable in geographic region (Oregon) and serves as the closest regional counterpart in venue scale and programming mix.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/towertheatrebnd

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Tower Theatre Foundation