Why Support CYT?

Christian Youth Theater is a 501(c)(3) tax‑exempt nonprofit, and revenue from ticket sales and class tuition covers only a portion of what it takes to run high‑quality, affordable programs. Your support ensures that CYT can continue delivering exceptional arts education while fulfilling its mission to develop character in children - one stage at a time.

A monthly gift to CYT is an ongoing investment in a trusted, family‑centered organization that provides young people with a safe, encouraging environment to discover who they are and who they can become. Through classes, rehearsals, and productions, students gain the confidence to take creative risks, the communication skills to express themselves clearly, and the resilience to make positive choices that shape their future. Your generosity keeps the lights on, sustains the programs families rely on, and expands access through scholarships for students who would otherwise be unable to participate.

CYT’s programs build confidence, strengthen communication skills, improve academic performance, and create a deep sense of belonging for kids who often have nowhere else to shine. Students learn discipline, empathy, leadership, and teamwork - skills that follow them into adulthood and ripple outward into families, schools, and the broader community. Your gift ensures that every child has the chance to grow, thrive, and find their character through the transformative power of theater.

Ready to Become a Donor?

Join the Standing O Society today!

The CYT Standing O Society is part of our commitment to excellence and provides support that CYT can count on! The support of Standing O Society members is vital to the financial health of CYT and helps us continue to develop character and creativity in our students.

Standing O Society membership comes with great benefits, tailored to both individuals and businesses.

Employee Match - Multiply Your Contribution!

Did you know you could potentially double (or even triple!) your gift to CYT Santa Cruz without spending an extra dime? Many employers offer Matching Gift Programs as a way to support the causes their employees care about. Think of it as a corporate "buy one, get one" for the arts - your company essentially provides a second standing ovation for our students by matching your donation dollar-for-dollar.

Employee Match: How to Make the Magic Happen

  • Check Your Status: Ask your HR department or check your company’s internal portal to see if they offer a matching gift program.
  • Make Your Gift: Donate to CYT Santa Cruz through our secure portal. Keep your digital receipt handy!
  • Submit the Request: Most companies just need a quick online form or a copy of your receipt to process the match.
  • Provide Our Info: If your employer asks for our details, we are a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
Pro Tip: Some companies even offer grants for the volunteer hours you spend helping out backstage or at the concession stand. If you’re already giving us your time, your company might be willing to give us their money!
By taking five minutes to submit a match request, you ensure that even more local youth have access to transformative theater arts education. If you need our Tax ID or any specific documentation to complete your request, please reach out to us at fundraising@cytsantacruz.org.

Legacy Gifts

While annual gifts sustain the programs CYT delivers today, legacy gifts ensure that this life‑changing work continues for decades to come. Including CYT Santa Cruz in your estate plans is a powerful way to preserve the values you believe in - creativity, character, belonging, and opportunity - and pass them forward to future generations. A planned gift becomes more than a financial gesture; it becomes a lasting expression of your belief that every child deserves a safe place to grow, to be seen, and to find their character.

Legacy donors help secure the long‑term stability of CYT’s mission, protecting the programs that build confidence, strengthen communication skills, improve academic performance, and give young people a community where they truly belong. Your gift ensures that scholarships remain available, productions remain accessible, and the transformative power of theater remains a cornerstone for families across Santa Cruz County. By choosing to leave a legacy with CYT, you create a ripple effect of leadership, empathy, and joy that will shape young lives long after today’s curtain falls.

If you’re moved to leave a legacy that continues shaping young lives long into the future, we encourage you to formalize your commitment today. Your gift becomes a lasting light for the generations who will grow, belong, and find their character through CYT. To begin this conversation, please contact us at fundraising@cytsantacruz.org.