Check made out to Chalfonte Theatre
Address to send check: Chalfonte Theatre, 205 River Street, Elk Rapids MI  49629

The Chalfonte Theatre Capital Campaign Preserving a Landmark. Strengthening a Community. Building the Future. For generations, the Elk Rapids Cinema &mdash; now the Chalfonte Theatre &mdash; has been more than a movie house. It is a gathering place. A storyteller. A beacon of light on winter nights. A shared living room for our community. Today, we are launching a multi-year capital campaign to preserve this historic building while upgrading the infrastructure necessary to support cinema, live performance, Village Radio, and new broadcast media arts programming. This work is not cosmetic.It is essential stewardship.Our goal is to ensure this historic cultural space continues serving Elk Rapids &mdash; and audiences around the world &mdash; for generations to come. Phase One: Immediate PriorityHeating &amp; Cooling System ReplacementUpdated Campaign Goal: $150,000 After years of careful maintenance and recent system failures, the time has come to replace the theatre&rsquo;s aging heating and cooling system. As we moved from initial estimates into detailed engineering and contractor evaluation, it became clear that a true long-term solution requires a more comprehensive system than originally anticipated. Rather than a short-term fix, we are committed to installing a high-efficiency, properly designed system that will serve the theatre for decades &mdash; improving comfort, reducing energy consumption, and protecting the building and equipment year-round. A Thoughtful, Phased Approach We are currently exploring a two-phase implementation strategy:<ul data-end="2357" data-start="2072" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li data-end="2236" data-section-id="1lm46o0" data-start="2072" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Phase 1 (Spring/Summer): Establish core cooling and ventilation systems to ensure the building is operational and comfortable during peak programming months</li><li data-end="2357" data-section-id="yxb82j" data-start="2237" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Phase 2 (Fall): Complete the heating components necessary to carry the theatre through northern Michigan winters</li></ul>This phased approach allows us to:<ul data-end="2501" data-start="2394" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li data-end="2422" data-section-id="q52e1y" data-start="2394" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">move forward immediately</li><li data-end="2451" data-section-id="mmmiq1" data-start="2423" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">manage costs responsibly</li><li data-end="2501" data-section-id="11yxiky" data-start="2452" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">continue programming without major disruption</li></ul>Why This MattersThis upgrade will:<ul data-end="2894" data-start="2549" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li data-end="2605" data-section-id="oo4dp4" data-start="2549" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">ensure a safe and comfortable environment year-round</li><li data-end="2675" data-section-id="1n5e23d" data-start="2606" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">protect the building, projection equipment, and broadcast systems</li><li data-end="2749" data-section-id="1dmb35k" data-start="2676" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">significantly improve energy efficiency and long-term operating costs</li><li data-end="2803" data-section-id="1ivoxn4" data-start="2750" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">reduce the risk of emergency repairs and downtime</li><li data-end="2894" data-section-id="1t382oj" data-start="2804" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">support expanded use of the theatre for performances, broadcasts, and community events</li></ul>Our Most Urgent Need While many exciting improvements lie ahead &mdash; from stage lighting and sound to accessibility upgrades and historic restoration &mdash; none of it is possible without a reliable heating and cooling system.This is the foundation upon which everything else depends. How You Can Help Your support of Phase One directly contributes to:<ul data-end="3442" data-start="3267" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li data-end="3310" data-section-id="1szs723" data-start="3267" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">preserving a historic cultural landmark</li><li data-end="3356" data-section-id="v6p05t" data-start="3311" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">strengthening year-round community access</li><li data-end="3442" data-section-id="f9x9w9" data-start="3357" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">building the infrastructure for expanded arts, media, and educational programming</li></ul>Every contribution &mdash; large or small &mdash; moves this work forward. Looking Ahead The HVAC system is the first step in a broader vision that includes:<ul data-end="3799" data-start="3601" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li data-end="3649" data-section-id="6idfqx" data-start="3601" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">marquee restoration (supported by DDA grant)</li><li data-end="3673" data-section-id="lei37p" data-start="3650" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">electrical upgrades</li><li data-end="3709" data-section-id="155ok1a" data-start="3674" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">accessible first-floor restroom</li><li data-end="3751" data-section-id="o90ra9" data-start="3710" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">stage lighting and sound improvements</li><li data-end="3799" data-section-id="1xzp5v1" data-start="3752" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">mural restoration and historic preservation</li></ul>Together, these efforts will ensure the Chalfonte Theatre continues to evolve while honoring its past.

<span contenteditable="false" data-custom-variable="{{firstname}}" fr-original-class="fr-deletable styled-tag-chip" fr-original-style="" style="background-color: rgb(248, 248, 255); border: 1px solid rgb(191, 191, 255); border-radius: 4px; color: rgb(42, 42, 196); padding: 1px 8px; font-size: 11px; display: inline-block; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: anywhere; user-select: none; box-sizing: inherit;">First name, On behalf of everyone at the Chalfonte Theatre, Village Radio, and the Chalfonte Foundation, thank you. Because of your generosity, Phase One of our Capital Campaign &mdash; the replacement of the theatre&rsquo;s heating and cooling system &mdash; is moving forward. Your support arrives at a critical moment and ensures that this historic space remains warm, welcoming, and operational for our community. For generations, the Elk Rapids Cinema &mdash; now the Chalfonte Theatre &mdash; has been more than a movie house. It has been a gathering place, a storyteller, a beacon of light on winter nights, and a shared living room for our town. Your gift helps preserve that legacy. This essential upgrade will: &bull; ensure a safe and comfortable environment year-round&bull; protect the building and equipment from temperature extremes&bull; improve energy efficiency and reliability&bull; prevent costly emergency repairs While this work is largely invisible to audiences, it is foundational to everything that happens inside these walls &mdash; from films and concerts to literary events, youth programs, and global Village Radio broadcasts. Most importantly, your support helps us continue serving our community without interruption and keeps our staff working as we care for and improve this historic cultural home. We are deeply grateful for your trust, your belief in this mission, and your commitment to preserving a place that brings people together through story, music, and shared experience. Because of you, the lights stay on. With heartfelt appreciation, Aaron TimlinPresident &amp; CEO,&nbsp;Chalfonte FoundationThe Chalfonte Theatre, Elk Rapids Cinema &amp; Village Radio Team

The Chalfonte Theatre Capital Campaign Preserving a Landmark. Strengthening a Community. Building the Future. For generations, the Elk Rapids Cinema — now the Chalfonte Theatre — has been more than a movie house. It is a gathering place. A storyteller. A beacon of light on winter nights. A shared living room for our community. Today, we are launching a multi-year capital campaign to preserve this historic building while upgrading the infrastructure necessary to support cinema, live performance, Village Radio, and new broadcast media arts programming. This work is not cosmetic.It is essential stewardship.Our goal is to ensure this historic cultural space continues serving Elk Rapids — and audiences around the world — for generations to come. Phase One: Immediate PriorityHeating &amp; Cooling System ReplacementUpdated Campaign Goal: $150,000 After years of careful maintenance and recent system failures, the time has come to replace the theatre’s aging heating and cooling system. As we moved from initial estimates into detailed engineering and contractor evaluation, it became clear that a true long-term solution requires a more comprehensive system than originally anticipated. Rather than a short-term fix, we are committed to installing a high-efficiency, properly designed system that will serve the theatre for decades — improving comfort, reducing energy consumption, and protecting the building and equipment year-round. A Thoughtful, Phased Approach We are currently exploring a two-phase implementation strategy:<ul><li>Phase 1 (Spring/Summer): Establish core cooling and ventilation systems to ensure the building is operational and comfortable during peak programming months</li><li>Phase 2 (Fall): Complete the heating components necessary to carry the theatre through northern Michigan winters</li></ul>This phased approach allows us to:<ul><li>move forward immediately</li><li>manage costs responsibly</li><li>continue programming without major disruption</li></ul>Why This MattersThis upgrade will:<ul><li>ensure a safe and comfortable environment year-round</li><li>protect the building, projection equipment, and broadcast systems</li><li>significantly improve energy efficiency and long-term operating costs</li><li>reduce the risk of emergency repairs and downtime</li><li>support expanded use of the theatre for performances, broadcasts, and community events</li></ul>Our Most Urgent Need While many exciting improvements lie ahead — from stage lighting and sound to accessibility upgrades and historic restoration — none of it is possible without a reliable heating and cooling system.This is the foundation upon which everything else depends. How You Can Help Your support of Phase One directly contributes to:<ul><li>preserving a historic cultural landmark</li><li>strengthening year-round community access</li><li>building the infrastructure for expanded arts, media, and educational programming</li></ul>Every contribution — large or small — moves this work forward. Looking Ahead The HVAC system is the first step in a broader vision that includes:<ul><li>marquee restoration (supported by DDA grant)</li><li>electrical upgrades</li><li>accessible first-floor restroom</li><li>stage lighting and sound improvements</li><li>mural restoration and historic preservation</li></ul>Together, these efforts will ensure the Chalfonte Theatre continues to evolve while honoring its past.

Elk Rapids Cinema - Chalfonte Theatre

Multi-Year Capital Campaign (Phase 1 - New Heating & Cooling System)

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